
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight
ratings towable for your given drivetrain:
Engine/TransmissionGCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal AreaMax. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue
Wt.
2.4L/Automatic 6,000 lbs (2,721 kg) 22 sq ft
(2.0 sq m)1,000 lbs (453 kg)
which includes up to 5 persons & Luggage 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.6L/Automatic 7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft
(3.0 sq m)2,500 lbs (1,133 kg)
which includes 1 to 2 persons & Luggage 200 lbs (90 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m)2,000 lbs (907 kg)
which includes 3 to 4 persons & Luggage 150 lbs (68 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m)1,500 lbs (680 kg)
which includes 5 to 7 persons & Luggage 100 lbs (45 kg)
* Except for
AWD models
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tires” in
“Servicing And Maintenance” for further information.
• * For All Wheel Drive (AWD) models carrying five to
seven persons and luggage will exceed the rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and therefore should not be
attempted.
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
CAUTION!
Always load a trailer with 60% of the weight in the
front of the trailer. This places 10% of the GTW on the
tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads balanced over the
wheels or heavier in the rear can cause the trailer to
sway severely side to side which will cause loss of
control of the vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers
heavier in front is the cause of many trailer collisions.
Weight Distribution
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 265

Consider the following items when computing the weight
on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options must
be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to the “Tire And Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo for
your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load
shifts can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or damage
to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, sus-
pension, chassis structure, or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on the
tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmis-
sion in PARK. Always block or chockthe trailer
wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance Plan”.
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in “Servicing And Mainte-
nance” for further information. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
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.
CAUTION! (Continued)
•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.
• Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing
while using a full size spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires” in “Servicing And Maintenance” 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” in “Servicing And
Maintenance” for the proper inspection procedure.6
STARTING AND OPERATING 267

This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and sparetires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operat-
ing” section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting
And Operating” section of this manual. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer
tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5x150) = 650 lbs.)
348 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and there will
be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 295 kg (635-
340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The following
table shows examples on how to calculate total load,
cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle
with varying seating configurations and number and
size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes
only and may not be accurate for the seating and load
carry capacity of your vehicle.
• For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 349

Brake............................. .336, 384
Cooling System ......................... .331
Engine Oil ............................ .320
Power Steering ...................... .245, 384
Fluids And Lubricants ...................... .382
Fog Lights ............................ .66, 281
Fog Lights, Service ........................ .281
Fold-Flat Seats .............................39
Folding Rear Seats ....................... .42, 47
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .....................278
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................... .305
Fuel ................................... .375
Additives ............................. .375
Clean Air ............................. .375
Ethanol ........................... .376, 378
Flexible .............................. .378
Gasoline .............................. .375
Materials Added ........................ .375
Methanol ............................. .376
Octane Rating ....................... .375, 382
Requirements .......................... .375
Specifications .......................... .382
Tank Capacity .......................... .381
Fueling ................................. .257Fuses
.................................. .283
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ...............113
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .375
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .375
Gear Ranges ............................. .238
Gear Selector Override ...................... .304
General Information ........................ .449
Glass Cleaning ........................... .370
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................259, 261
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...............259, 260
GVWR ................................. .259
Hazar
d
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ......................... .274
Hazard Warning Flashers .....................278
Headlights Automatic ..............................64
Bulb Replacement ....................... .280
Cleaning .............................. .367
Delay ..................................65
High Beam ............................ .280
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........64
Lights On Reminder .......................65
12
INDEX 507

Tie Down Hooks, Cargo......................112
Tilt Steering Column .........................56
Time Delay Headlight ...............................65
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............347
Tire Markings ............................ .341
Tires ..................... .226, 351, 358, 359, 365
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .355
Air Pressure ........................... .351
Chains ............................... .362
Changing .......................... .290, 341
Compact Spare ......................... .359
General Information ................351, 358, 359
High Speed ............................ .353
Inflation Pressure ....................... .352
Jacking ............................... .341
Life Of Tires ........................... .355
Load Capacity ...................... .347, 348
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........151, 168
Quality Grading ........................ .365
Radial ............................... .353
Replacement ........................... .356
Rotation .............................. .363
Safety ............................ .341, 351
Sizes ................................ .343Snow Tires
............................ .358
Spare Tires ...................290, 358, 359, 360
Spinning .............................. .354
Trailer Towing .......................... .267
Tread Wear Indicators .....................355
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .373
Tire Safety Information ...................... .341
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................265
To Open Hood ........................... .107
Towing ................................. .260
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .306
Guide ................................ .264
Recr
eational ........................... .272
Weight ............................... .264
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................272
Traction ................................ .273
Traction Control .......................... .167
Trailer Towing ............................ .260
Cooling System Tips ..................... .271
Hitches ............................... .263
Minimum Requirements ....................266
Tips ................................. .270
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................265
Wiring ............................... .268
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .264
12
INDEX 515