2017 DODGE JOURNEY tow

•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (453 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 397

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in DRIVE, use the
AutoStick shift control to manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat build up. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation, then change the transmission
fluid and filter as specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing”. Refer to the “Maintenance Sched-
ule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE: Check the four-speed automatic transmission fluid
level before towing. The six-speed transmission does not
require a fluid level check before towing. If, however, you
notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction, see your
authorized dealer immediately for assistance.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
AutoStick
• When using the AutoStick shift control, select the high-
est gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “4” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or “2”
if needed to maintain the desired speed.
• To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 399

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheel OFF the Ground
FWD ModelsAWD Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow FrontOKNOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOKOK
NOTE: When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
400 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recreational Towing — Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Mod-
els
Recreational towing is allowedONLYif the front wheels
are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow
dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this
procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place the transmission in PARK.
4. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Release the parking brake.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drive-
train will result. If this vehicle requires towing,
make sure the drive wheels are OFF the ground.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing — All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Models
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground, or
using a towing dolly) is NOT ALLOWED. The only
acceptable method for towing this vehicle (behind another
vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels OFFthe
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle with ANY of its wheels on the
ground can cause severe transmission and/or power
transfer unit damage. Damage from improper towing
is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 401

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ............404
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .............404
▫ 2.4L Engine — If Equipped ................405
 WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . .405
▫ Torque Specifications ....................405
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ...........407
▫ Jack Location ........................ .407
▫ Spare Tire Location .....................407
▫ Preparations For Jacking .................407
▫ Spare Tire Removal .....................408
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ..................... .409
▫ Jacking Instructions .....................410
▫ Road Tire Installation ....................415 
JUMP-STARTING ....................... .417
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ...............418
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ..................419
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ..............420
 GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE ..............421
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............423
▫ All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Models ............424
▫ Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models ...........424
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .............................. .425
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ............425
6

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your
vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,” safely pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the A/C
turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the “H,” and you hear
continuous chimes, turn the engine OFF immediately,
and call for service.
2.4L Engine — If Equipped
On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too
hot during sustained high-speed driving or if towing a
trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL message
will flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h) maximum until the engine
oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:The maximum vehicle speed is reduced to 48 mph
(77 km/h), you may reduce vehicle speed further as
needed. Once the engine oil temperature is reduced, you
may continue to drive normally
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure that
the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any time a
wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the vehicle the
lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a properly cali-
brated torque wrench.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/Bolt Torque **Lug Nut/ Bolt SizeLug Nut/
Bolt
Socket Size
100 Ft-Lbs (135 N·m) M12 x 1.5 19 mm
**Use only your Authorized Dealer recommended lug
nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before
tightening.
Inspect the wheel mounting surface prior to mounting the
tire and remove any corrosion or loose particles.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 405

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on
a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be
jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed underneath a cover in
the rear storage bin in the cargo area.
Spare Tire Location
The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the vehicle
and is held in place by means of a cable winch mechanism.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or slippery
areas.
Jack Storage Location
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 407

NOTE:Assemble components 2 and 3 by seating the small
ball at the end of component 2 in the small hole at the end
of component 3. This will lock these components together.
Assemble components 1 and 2 so that the wheel nut socket
at the end of component 1 faces upward when seated on
component 2. This will make it easier to rotate the assem-
bly when operating the winch mechanism.
2. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive nut located in the jack storage area. Rotate the jack-handle
assembly counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull the
spare tire out from underneath the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other power
tools is not recommended and it can damage the winch.
3. Pull the spare tire out from underneath the vehicle and raise it upright so the tire’s tread is on the ground.
4. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and remove it from the center of the wheel.
Spare Tire Stowage
NOTE: Refer to “Spare Tire Removal” for information on
assembling the winch tools.
1. Place the spare tire near to the winch cable. Hold the spare upright so that the tire’s tread is on the ground
and the valve stem is at the top of the wheel facing away
from the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and drop it through the center of the wheel. Then place the spare
tire with the cable and retainer underneath the vehicle.
Spare Tire Retainer
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 409