Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release
If you are unable to open the fuel filler door, use the fuel
filler door emergency release located in the trunk.
Follow the steps below to open the fuel door in case of an
emergency:
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the access cover (located on the left side innertrim panel).
3. Pull the release cable.
VEHICLE LOADING
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is shown on the
“Vehicle Certification Label”. This information should be
used for passenger and luggage loading as indicated.
Do not exceed the specified Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Access Cover
Release Cable
366 STARTING AND OPERATING
Vehicle Certification Label
Your vehicle has a Vehicle Certification Label affixed to the
drivers side B-Pillar or the rear of the driver ’s door.
The label contains the following information:
•Name of manufacturer
• Month and year of manufacture
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Type of vehicle
• Month, Day, and Hour of manufacture (MDH)
The bar code allows a computer scanner to read the VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, and cargo. The total load
must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
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.
WARNING!
Because the front wheels steer the vehicle, it is impor-
tant 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.
Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires, wheels,
etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory service as
long as you do not exceed the GVWR and the front and
rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your vehicle
is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to ensure that it
is not over the GVWR.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 367
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 exceed
the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification
Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tempo-
rary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and ready for
operation condition.
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.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total allowable 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 infor-
mation.
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.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 369
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.
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 Operat-
ing” for information on tire pressures and for proper tire
inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures
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 information on tread
wear indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Informa-
tion” in “Starting And Operating” for information on
replacement tires and 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 per-
sonal injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically actu-
ated 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 (453 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
374 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have a collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (453 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.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
(If Equipped)
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 harness and
connector.
NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles wiring
harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector. Refer
to the following illustrations.
NOTE:
• Disconnect trailer wiring connector from the vehicle
before launching a boat (or any other device plugged
into vehicle’s electrical connect) into water.
• Be sure to reconnect after clear from water area.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 375
Bulbs, Light............................79, 443
Camera, Rear ............................ .174
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .447
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ............................410
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................421
Carbon Monoxide Warning .................76, 361
Cargo Area Features ........................197
Cargo Compartment ........................197
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ..................... .366
Car Washes ...............................427
Certification Label ..........................367
Chains, Tire ............................. .348
Changing A Flat Tire ........................382
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .330
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .406
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ................75
Checks, Safety .............................75
Child Restraint .............................60
Child Restraints Booster Seats ............................63
Child Restraints ..........................60
Child Seat Installation ......................71
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt .........69Infants And Child Restraints
.................62
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ........65
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........62
Seating Positions ..........................64
Child Safety Locks ..........................27
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .358
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .428
Climate Control ............................268
Clock .................................. .241
Coin Holder ............................. .194
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .299
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .344
Connector UCI ..................................265
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ...........265
Console, Floor ............................ .194
Contract, Service .......................... .462
Coolant Pr
essure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............421
Cooling System ............................419
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................420
Coolant Capacity ........................ .447
Coolant Level ........................419, 422
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................422
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................419
468 INDEX
Synthetic Engine Oil........................410
System, Remote Starting ......................22
Telescoping Steering Column ...............129, 130
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ...........275
Tilt Down .................................105
Up.................................. .105
Tilt Steering Column .....................129, 130
Time Delay, Headlight .......................118
Tire And Loading Information Placard ........334, 335
Tire Markings ............................ .328
Tires.......................... .79, 339, 343, 350
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .347
Air Pressure ........................ .334, 339
Chains ............................... .348
Changing .......................382, 385, 389
Compact Spare ..........................344
Flat Changing .......................... .389
General Information ...................339, 343
High Speed ............................ .341
Inflation Pressures ........................340
Jacking ........................ .382, 384, 385
Life Of Tires ............................347
Load Capacity .......................334, 336 Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
.............351
Pressure Warning Light ....................218
Quality Grading ........................ .350
Radial ............................... .341
Replacement ........................ .347, 389
Rotation ...............................349
Safety ............................ .328, 339
Sizes .................................330
Snow Tires ............................ .342
Spare Tire .......................343, 345, 383
Spinning ...............................346
Trailer Towing .......................... .374
T r
ead Wear Indicators .....................346
Wheel Mounting ........................ .389
Tire Safety Information .......................328
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................372
To Open Hood ............................115
Towing ................................. .368
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .396
Guide .................................371
Recreational ............................378
Weight ............................... .371
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............378
Traction .................................312
Traction Control .......................... .323
480 INDEX