2012 DODGE CHALLENGER weight

Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options must
be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo
for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 341

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and it will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure, or tires.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. Max loading as defined on the “Tire and Load-
ing Information” placard.
(Continued)
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements – Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for the proper tire
replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 343

Fueling............................... 332
Fuses ................................ 424
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 152
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............332,390
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 327
Conserving ......................... 191
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 328
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 328
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 177
Fuel .............................. 176
Odometer .......................... 181
Speedometer ........................ 176
Tachometer ......................... 176
Gear Ranges ........................... 267
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 379
General Information ...............18,27,121,326
General Maintenance ..................... 393 Glass Cleaning
.......................... 423
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............335,337
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............335,337
GVWR ............................... 335
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 92
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 278
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 353
Head Restraints ......................... 132
Headlights ............................ 433
Automatic ......................... 139
Bulb Replacement .................... 433
Cleaning ........................... 422
Delay ............................. 139
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 143
Lights On Reminder .................. 141
On With Wipers ................... 139,147
10
INDEX 477

Snow Tires......................... 316
Spare Tire .......................... 365
Spinning ........................... 311
Trailer Towing ....................... 343
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 312
To Open Hood .......................... 137
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 340
Towing ............................... 336
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 105
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 381
Guide ............................. 340
Recreational ........................ 348
Weight ............................ 340
Towing Assistance ....................... 105
Traction Control ......................... 288
Trailer Towing .......................... 336
Cooling System Tips .................. 347
Hitches ............................ 339
Minimum Requirements ................ 341 Tips .............................. 346
Trailer and Tongue Weight
.............. 340
Wiring ............................ 345
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 340
Trailer Weight .......................... 340
Transfer Case Fluid ............................. 440
Transmission ........................... 416
Automatic ....................... 266,416
Fluid ............................. 440
Manual ........................... 260
Shifting ........................... 265
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 26
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 152
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 21
Transporting Pets ........................ 77
488 INDEX