2017 DODGE JOURNEY trailer

obstacle behind the fascia/bumper, or it could provide a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the fascia/
bumper.
• Ensure the ParkSense system is OFF if objects such as
bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc., are placed within 12
in (30 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do so
can result in the system misinterpreting a close object as
a sensor problem, causing the “SERVICE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM” message to appear in the Instrument Cluster
Display.
WARNING!
• Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using ParkSense. Always check carefully behind
your vehicle, look behind you, and be sure to check
for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions,
and blind spots before backing up. You are respon-
sible for safety and must continue to pay attention to
your surroundings. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
• Before using ParkSense, it is strongly recommended
that the ball mount and hitch ball assembly is
disconnected from the vehicle when the vehicle is
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
not used for towing. Failure to do so can result in
injury or damage to vehicles or obstacles because the
hitch ball will be much closer to the obstacle than the
rear fascia when the loudspeaker sounds the con-
tinuous tone. Also, the sensors could detect the ball
mount and hitch ball assembly, depending on its size
and shape, giving a false indication that an obstacle
is behind the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•ParkSense is only a parking aid and it is unable to
recognize every obstacle, including small obstacles.
Parking curbs might be temporarily detected or not
detected at all. Obstacles located above or below the
sensors will not be detected when they are in close
proximity.
• The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
ParkSense in order to be able to stop in time when an
obstacle is detected. It is recommended that the
driver looks over his/her shoulder when using
ParkSense.
186 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

1. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Instrument Cluster Display •When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Instrument Cluster Display messages. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
3. Speedometer •Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the Keyless Push Button Ignition is in the
ON/RUN position.
•
The fuel pump arrow symbol points to the side
of the vehicle where the fuel door is located.
5. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily. •
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer for
service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling System
Pressure Cap paragraph.
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) ......344
▫ Brake System Warning Light ...............344
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............344
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ................345
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ...................346
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) .............348
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...........348
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ............352
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................352
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ..............353
▫ Tire Markings ........................ .353
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............356
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ...........357
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ............358
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........362
▫ Tire Pressure ......................... .362
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ..................363 ▫
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation .....364
▫ Radial Ply Tires ....................... .364
▫ Tire Types ........................... .365
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ..............366
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................366
▫ Tire Spinning ........................ .369
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ...................369
▫ Life Of Tire .......................... .370
▫ Replacement Tires ..................... .370
 TIRE

CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .........371
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS ......372
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..................373
▫ Treadwear ........................... .373
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .373
▫ Temperature Grades .....................374
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .374
322 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Premium System ...................... .376
▫ General Information .....................380
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................380
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................380
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............381
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........381
▫ CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ......382
▫ MMT In Gasoline ...................... .382
▫ Materials Added To Fuel .................382
▫ Fuel System Cautions ....................383
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...............383
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED ........................... .384
▫ E-85 General Information .................384
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ..................... .384
▫ Fuel Requirements .....................384
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ..............385▫
Starting ............................ .385
▫ Cruising Range ....................... .385
▫ Replacement Parts ..................... .385
▫ Maintenance ......................... .386
 ADDING FUEL ........................ .386
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................386
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............387
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................387
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ................388
▫ Gr

oss Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ........388
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ..........388
▫ Overloading ......................... .388
▫ Loading ............................ .389
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .389
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............389
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ................392
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STARTING AND OPERATING 323

▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................ .393
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............394
▫ Towing Requirements ...................395 ▫
Towing Tips ......................... .399
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................400
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle. . . .400
324 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control
(refer to “AutoStick” in this section for further information)
to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a
lower gear will improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating
limits, the powertrain controller will modify the transmis-
sion shift schedule and expand the range of torque con-
verter clutch engagement. This is done to prevent trans-
mission damage due to overheating.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be
modified depending on engine and transmission tempera-
ture as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warmup time of the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch
is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to
the “Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this sec-
tion). During extremely cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to only second
gear (for four-speed transmission) or third gear (for six-
speed transmission). Normal operation will resume once
the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for ab-
normal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in second gear (for four-speed transmission) or third gear
(for six-speed transmission) regardless of which forward
gear is selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will
continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle
to be driven to an authorized dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage until
the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm (usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles [2 to 5 km] of driving). Because the
engine speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is
not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not
shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal. Using
the AutoStick shift control, when the transmission is suffi-
ciently warm, will demonstrate that the transmission is
able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature pro-
viding manual shift control, giving you more control of the
vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city driv-
ing, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing, and many other situations.
Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick position (below
the DRIVE position), it can be moved from side to side.
This allows the driver to manually select the transmission
gear being used. Moving the gear selector to the left (-) triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an upshift. The
current gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or down
when the driver moves the gear selector to the right (+) or
left (-), unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition
would result. It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as described
below.
•
The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine over-speed.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in any gear except top
gear. Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear can be helpful in snowy
or icy conditions.
• If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
over-speed, that shift will not occur.
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. However, there will be
some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be
evident by increased pedal travel during application and
greater pedal force required to slow or stop the vehicle. In
addition, if the malfunction is caused by a leak in the
hydraulic system, the “Brake Warning Light” will turn on
as the brake fluid level drops in the master cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine OFF) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
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
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WARNING! (Continued)
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your
full braking capacity in an emergency.
• Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light” on
is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking per-
formance or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or
will make your vehicle harder to control. You could
have a collision. Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control system (EBC). This system includes Elec-
tronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist
(HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM). These
systems work together to enhance both vehicle stability
and control in various driving conditions.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with Trailer Sway
Control (TSC).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 343