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WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have a collision.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less
than 10% of the trailer load. You must consider this as
part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds
of hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they are commonly used to tow small and medium sized
trailers.
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Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Trailer Hitch Classification DefinitionsClass Max. Trailer Hitch
Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed
on your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Max. Frontal AreaMax. Gross Trailer Wt.
(GTW) Max. Trailer Tongue Wt.
(See Note 1)
2.4L/Auto 11 sq.ft. (1.0 sq.m)
(See Note 2) 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
3.6L/Auto 22 sq.ft. (2.0 sq.m) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
Note 1: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo,
and it should never exceed the weight referenced on the
Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire
Safety Information” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information. Note 2: Enclosed trailers or open utility trailers with
front shields/guards are not recommended for use with
all four-cylinder engines with automatic transmission.
Please see your authorized dealer for additional infor-
mation.
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Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer collisions.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
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.
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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.
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WARNING!(Continued)
•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 Loading
Information” placard.
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
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.
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Additives............................ .366
Clean Air ............................ .364
Ethanol ............................. .365
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................208
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ....................208
Gasoline ............................. .364
Gauge .............................. .208
Light ............................... .209
Materials Added ....................... .366
Methanol ............................ .365
Octane Rating ......................... .364
Requirements ......................... .364
Tank Capacity ......................... .471
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .368
Fueling ............................... .372
Fuel System Caution ...................... .373
Fuses ................................. .456Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®)
............178
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................372
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .364
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................364
Gauges Coolant Temperature .....................208
Fuel ................................ .208
Odometer ............................ .212
Tachometer ........................... .212
Gear Ranges ............................ .299
Gear Select Lever Override ..................413
General Information ...................... .140
Glass Cleaning .......................... .455
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................375
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................375
GVWR ................................ .375
500 INDEX
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Chains.............................. .353
Changing ............................ .395
Compact Spare ........................ .348
General Information .....................342
High Speed .......................... .344
Inflation Pressures ...................... .343
Jacking .............................. .395
Life of Tires .......................... .351
Load Capacity ........................ .337
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............355
Pressure Warning Light ...................218
Quality Grading ....................... .491
Radial .............................. .345
Replacement .......................... .352
Rotation ............................. .354
Safety .............................. .331
Sizes ............................... .333
Snow Tires ........................... .346
Spare Tire ............................ .396Spinning
............................ .350
Trailer Towing ........................ .384
Tread Wear Indicators ....................350
Tire Safety Information .....................331
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................381
Towing ............................... .376
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................124
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .414
Guide .............................. .380
Recreational .......................... .389
Weight .............................. .380
Towing Assistance ........................ .124
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome ...........389
Traction ............................... .316
Trailer Towing .......................... .376
Cooling
System Tips .....................389
Hitches ............................. .379
Minimum Requirements ..................382
Tips................................ .387
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INDEX 509