
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME,
ETC.)
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground, or
using a tow dolly) isNOT ALLOWED. The only accept-
able method for towing this vehicle (behind another ve-
hicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels OFFthe
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Information in this section will aid in safe controlled
launches in adverse conditions.
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the front (driving)
wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the front
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and care-
fully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precautions
should be observed:
• Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
• Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
• Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size, load rating, or speed
rating other than that specified for your vehicle.
Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels
may change suspension dimensions and perfor-
mance characteristics, resulting in changes to steer-
ing, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can
cause unpredictable handling and stress to steering
and suspension components. You could lose control
and have a collision resulting in serious injury or
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad-
equate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Tire Types
All Season Tires — If Equipped
All Season tires provide traction for all seasons (Spring,
Summer, Fall, and Winter). Traction levels may vary be-
tween different all season tires. All season tires can be
identified by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on the
tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in sets of four; failure
to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and dry condi-
tions, and are not intended to be driven in snow or on ice.
If your vehicle is equipped with Summer tires, be aware
these tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle when am-
bient temperatures are less than 40°F (5°C) or if roads are
covered with ice or snow. For more information, contact an
authorized dealer.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 389

Summer tires do not contain the all season designation or
mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire sidewall. Use
Summer tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions. You
could lose vehicle control, resulting in severe injury or
death. Driving too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h). For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Refer to the “Towing Requirements - Tires” in “Starting
And Operating” for restrictions when towing with a spare
tire designated for temporary emergency use.
390 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

•No other tire sizes are recommended for use with a tire
chain or traction device.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
• Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could indicate device breakage. Remove the
damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating speed,
and conditions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufacturer ’s if it is
less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving, and
braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The
benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggres-
sive tread designs such as those on all season type tires.
Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud,
snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth,
quiet ride.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 395

Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance, which all pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days, you may want to take these steps to protect your
battery.
• Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(e.g., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 397

Security Alarm......................... .135
Service ............................... .305
Traction Control ........................ .152
Turn Signals ....................66, 70, 141, 215
Vanity Mirror ............................65
Warning Instrument Cluster Descriptions . . . .134, 141
Loading Vehicle ....................... .285, 286
Capacities ............................. .286
Tires................................. .379
Load Leveling System ...................... .100
Load Shed Battery Saver On ...................129
Load Shed Electrical Load Reduction .............129
Load Shed Intelligent Battery Sensor .............129
Locks Automatic Door ..........................43
Auto Unlock .............................42
Child Protection ..........................43
Power Door .............................38
Low Tire Pressure System .....................166
Lubrication, Body ......................... .359
Lug Nuts/Bolts ........................... .406
Maintenance ...............................93
Maintenance Free Battery .....................351
Maintenance Schedule ....................343, 344 Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .135, 143
Manual
Park Release ........................... .333
Service ............................... .470
Media Hub .............................. .447
Memory Feature (Memory Seats) ................48
Memory Seat ..............................48
Methanol ............................... .409
Mirrors ..................................60
Electric Powered ..........................62
Electric Remote ...........................62
Heated .................................64
Outside ................................61
Rearview ........................... .60, 300
Vanity .................................65
Modifications/Alterations Vehicle .................................5
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................166
Mopar
Parts ............................. .469
MP3 Control ............................. .447
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................66
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................225
Occupant Restraints ........................ .172
480 INDEX

Synthetic Engine Oil....................... .354
Telescoping Steering Column ...................58
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ............84
Tilt Steering Column .........................58
Time Delay Headlight ...............................69
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............379
Tire Markings ............................ .373
Tires ..................... .215, 383, 390, 391, 396
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .387
Air Pressure ........................... .383
Chains ............................... .394
Changing ....................321, 324, 328, 373
Compact Spare ......................... .391
Flat Changing .......................... .328
General Information ................383, 390, 391
High Speed ............................ .385
Inflation Pressure ....................... .384
Jacking ........................... .324, 373
Life Of Tires ........................... .387
Load Capacity ...................... .379, 380
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........137, 166
Quality Grading ........................ .396
Radial ............................... .385Replacement
........................ .328, 388
Rotation .............................. .395
Safety ............................ .373, 383
Sizes ................................ .375
Snow Tires ............................ .390
Spare Tires ...................321, 390, 391, 392
Spinning .............................. .386
Trailer Towing .......................... .292
Tread Wear Indicators .....................387
Wheel Mounting ........................ .328
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .406
Tire Safety Information ...................... .373
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................290
T
o Open Hood .............................94
Towing ................................. .286
Behind A Motorhome ..................... .296
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .336
Guide ................................ .289
Recreational ........................... .296
Weight ............................... .289
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................296
Traction ................................ .296
Traction Control .......................... .155
Trailer Towing ............................ .286
Cooling System Tips ..................... .295
12
INDEX 485