Page 49 of 120
fuel conditioners should not be required in your vehicle.
If available in your area, a high cetane “premium” diesel
fuel may offer improved cold-starting and warm-up
performance.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filter(s) to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
Fuel Specifications
This diesel engine has been developed to take advantage
of the high energy content and generally lower cost No.
2 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel or No. 2 Ultra Low Sulfur
climatized diesel fuels.NOTE:
•If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, do not start the engine. Damage to
the engine and fuel system could occur. Please call
your authorized dealer for service.
•A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your diesel
engine without any adjustments to regular service
schedules.
•Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
•No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 47
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Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM speci-
fication D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with Biodiesel blends that
are between 6% and 20% (B6–B20) is desired, the main-
tenance schedule is subject to shorter intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replace-
ment is subject to shorter intervals when operating your
engine on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel
greater than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20) it is important that you understand and comply
with these requirements. Refer to the “Maintenance
Chart” in the “Maintenance Schedules” section for fur-
ther direction.
CAUTION!
Failure to comply with Oil Change requirements for
vehicles operating on biodiesel blends between 6%
and 20% (B6–B20) will result in premature engine
wear. Such wear is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Biodiesel is a fuel produced from renewable resources
typically derived from animal fat, rapeseed oil (Rapeseed
Methyl Ester (RME) base), or soybean oil (Soy Methyl
Ester (SME or SOME) base).
Biodiesel fuel has inherent limitations which require that
you understand and adhere to the following require-
ments if you use blends of Biodiesel between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20). There are no unique restrictions for the use of
B5.
48 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 51 of 120
CAUTION!
Use of blends greater than 20% is not approved. Use
of blends greater than 20% can result in engine
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Biodiesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tem-
peratures, which may pose problems for both storage and
operation. Precautions can be necessary at low ambient
temperatures, such as storing the fuel in a heated build-
ing or a heated storage tank, or using cold temperature
additives.
Fuel Quality — Must Comply With ASTM
Standards
The quality of Biodiesel fuel may vary widely. Only fuel
produced by a BQ9000 supplier to the following specifi-
cations may be blended to meet Biodiesel blend B6 – B20
fuel meeting ASTM specification D-7467:
•Petrodiesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975
and Biodiesel fuel (B100) meeting ASTM specification
D-6751
Fuel Oxidation Stability — Must Use Fuel Within
Six Months Of Manufacture
Biodiesel fuel has poor oxidation stability which can
result in long term storage problems. Fuel produced to
approved ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides
for protection against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 49
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Fuel Water Separation — Must Use MOPAR
Approved Fuel Filter Elements
Biodiesel fuel has a natural affinity to water and water
accelerates microbial growth. Your MOPAR filtration
system is designed to provide adequate fuel water sepa-
ration capabilities.
Fuel In Oil Dilution — Must Adhere To Required
Oil Change Interval
Fuel dilution of lubricating oil has been observed with
the use of Biodiesel fuel. Fuel in oil must not exceed 5%.
To ensure this limit is met your oil change interval must
be maintained with in the suggested schedule. The
regular use of biodiesel between 6% and 20% requires
intervals shorter than the outlined 10,000 miles and must
not exceed the suggested schedule. When routinely op-
erating on biodiesel between 6% and 20%, oil and filter
replacement intervals must not exceed 8,000 Miles or 6
months, which ever comes first.
Biodiesel Fuel Filter Change Intervals
The use of biodiesel requires intervals shorter than the
outlined 30,000 miles (48 280 km) and must not exceed
the suggested schedule. When operating on biodiesel
between 6% and 20%, fuel filter replacement intervals
must not exceed 20,000 Miles (40 233 km).
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 8,000 miles (12 875 km) or 6 months, if
regular operation occurs with 6% - 20% biodiesel blends.
Under no circumstances should fuel filter intervals ex-
ceed 20,000 miles (40 233 km), if regular operation occurs
with 6% - 20% biodiesel blends. Failure to comply with
these Oil Change and fuel filter requirements for vehicles
operating on biodiesel blends up to B20 may result in
premature engine wear. Such wear is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The engine may suffer
severe damage if operated with concentrations of bio-
diesel higher than 20%.
50 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 53 of 120
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 the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles 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 notexceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and
ready for operationcondition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
WARNING!
If the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2 267 kg) or
more, it is mandatory to use a weight-distributing
hitch to ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 51
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WARNING!(Continued)
you use a standard weight-carrying hitch, you could
lose control of your vehicle and cause a collision.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
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. The recommended tongue weight
is 10% to 15% of the vehicle’s GTW for a conventional
hitch. 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.
52 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control can be a mechanical telescoping
link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and
the trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable fric-
tion associated with the telescoping motion to dampen
any unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
If equipped, the electronic Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies
individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to
attempt to eliminate the trailer sway.
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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STARTING AND OPERATING 53
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Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the
tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used
in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, it pro-
vides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on vehicle
and trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
WARNING!
•An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking
performance, and could result in a collision.
•Weight Distributing Systems may not be compat-
ible with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Rec-
reational Vehicle dealer for additional information.
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