2012 DODGE JOURNEY brakes

Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle-by-axle and side-by-side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 451

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that 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.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 informationon replacement tires and for the proper tire replace-
ment 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.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 461

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in a collision.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
462 STARTING AND OPERATING

The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 463

•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs mayresult in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 523

About Your Brakes.................... 396,399
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 400
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 520
Adding Fuel ........................... 447
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 515
Additives, Fuel ......................... 441
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 506
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 509
Air Conditioning Filter .................360,510
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............509,510
Air Conditioning System ................353,509
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 361
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone ................ 355
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 419
Airbag .............................. 61,70
Airbag Deployment ....................... 72
Airbag Light ................... 68,69,74,92,274
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 73
Airbag, Side ........................ 64,67,70Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........65,67,70
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 281
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alarm, Panic ............................ 23
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 391
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 400
Anti-Lock Warning Light .............280,400,402
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............519,548
Disposal ........................... 521
Appearance Care ........................ 529
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 17
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 39
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 31
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 101
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 31
Automatic Headlights .................... 202
578 INDEX

Automatic Oil Change Indicator............. 291
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 353
Automatic Transaxle Adding Fluid ....................... 550
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 550
Automatic Transmission ................372,525
Adding Fluid .................... 526,528
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 528
Fluid Level Check ................. 526,528
Fluid Type ......................... 526
Gear Ranges ..................... 375,383
Special Additives ..................... 526
Autostick ............................. 390
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ...... 242
Auxiliary Power Outlet ................... 242
B-Pillar Location ........................ 414
Back-Up Lights ......................... 544 Battery
............................... 507
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Location ........................... 507
Belts, Seat ............................ 46,92
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 512
Booster Seat ............................ 78
Brake Assist System ...................... 403
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 400
Brake Fluid ............................ 550
Brake System ........................ 399,523
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 400
Fluid Check ..................... 524,550
Master Cylinder ..................... 524
Parking ........................... 396
Warning Light ....................... 279
Brake, Parking .......................... 396
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 374
Brakes ............................. 399,523
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 89
10
INDEX 579