2023 CHRYSLER VOYAGER trailer

STARTING AND OPERATING99
(Continued)
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your fascia/bumper or trailer hitch.

Weight Distribution

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

Ú
page 221.

TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are recommended.
Perform the maintenance listed in “Scheduled Servicing”
Úpage 192. 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.
 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.
WARNING!
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering 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 over -
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to
brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspen -
sion, chassis structure or tires.
 Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
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 transmission in
PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure the
transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always, block or
"chock" the trailer wheels.
 GCWR must not be exceeded.
 Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded :
 GVWR
 GTW
 GAWR
 Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
WARNING!
4

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 99

100STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
 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.
 Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capacity will
not increase the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
 For further information
Úpage 224.
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
personal 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 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lb (907 kg).
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And
Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights 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 vehicle’s 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 the trailer wiring connector from the vehicle
(or any other device plugged into vehicle’s electrical
connectors) before launching a boat into water.
 Be sure to reconnect once clear from water area.

Four-Pin Connector

WARNING!

Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines. It can overload your brake system and cause
it to fail. You might not have brakes when you need them
and could have an accident.
 Towing any trailer will increase your stopping distance.
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 an accident.

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb (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.
1 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 100

STARTING AND OPERATING101

Seven-Pin Connector

TOWING TIPS
Before towing, practice turning, stopping, and backing up
the trailer in an area located away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The transmission
controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting
when towing. For increased engine braking on steep
downhill grades, select the LOW range.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
 When using the Cruise Control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
 Use Cruise Control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
1 — Backup Lamps
2 — Running Lamps
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Ground
5 — Battery
6 — Right Stop/Turn
7 — Electric Brakes
Towing Condition Wheel OFF The Ground FWD Models
Flat TowNONENOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front
OK
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK
4

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 101

102STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
To avoid inadvertent Electric Park Brake (EPB) engage -
ment, you must ensure that the Auto Park Brake
feature is disabled before towing this vehicle (if rear
wheels are on the ground). The Auto Park Brake feature
is enabled or disabled via the customer programmable
features
Úpage 105.
 When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable
state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial
Highway Safety offices for additional details.
 If your vehicle is disabled and in need of commercial
towing service, for further information
Úpage 190.
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will
result. Recreational Towing
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the front wheels
are
OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow
dolly (front wheels off the ground) or vehicle trailer (all four
wheels off the ground). 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. Apply the parking brake.
4. Place the transmission in PARK.
5. Turn the ignition OFF.
6. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
7. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the vehicle.
8. Press and hold the brake pedal.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Turn the ignition OFF.
11. Release the brake pedal.
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.

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.
 Ensure that the EPB is released, and remains
released, while being towed.
 Towing this vehicle in violation of the previously listed
requirements can cause severe transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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 carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice, snow,
wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 102

122SAFETY
To enable or disable RSRA, see Úpage 105.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (EBC)
S
YSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control (EBC) system. This system includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS),
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic
Roll Mitigation (ERM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Traction Control System
(TCS).These systems work together to enhance both
vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions. Your vehicle may also be equipped with Dynamic Steering
Torque (DST), Ready Alert Braking (RAB), Rain Brake
Support (RBS) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC).
Brake Assist System (BAS)

The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking capability
during emergency braking maneuvers. The system detects an
emergency braking situation by sensing the rate and amount of
brake application and then applies optimum pressure to the
brakes. This can help reduce braking distances. The BAS
complements the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the
brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance.
To receive the benefit of the system, you must apply continuous
braking pressure during the stopping sequence (do not “pump”
the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released,
the BAS is deactivated.

Brake System Warning Light
The red Brake System Warning Light will turn on when the
ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the Brake System Warning Light remains on or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the brake system is not
functioning properly and that immediate service is
required. If the Brake System Warning Light does not
come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode,
have the light repaired as soon as possible.
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
DST is a feature of the ESC and Electric Power Steering
(EPS) modules that provides torque at the steering wheel
for certain driving conditions in which the ESC module is
detecting vehicle instability. The torque that the steering
wheel receives is only meant to help the driver realize
optimal steering behavior in order to reach/maintain
vehicle stability. The only notification the driver receives
that the feature is active is the torque applied to the
steering wheel.
NOTE:The DST feature is only meant to help the driver realize the
correct course of action through small torques on the
steering wheel, which means the effectiveness of the DST
feature is highly dependent on the driver’s sensitivity and
overall reaction to the applied torque. It is very important
to realize that this feature will not steer the vehicle,
meaning the driver is still responsible for steering the
vehicle.
WARNING!

Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a complete
stop, then shift the automatic transmission into
PARK and apply the parking brake.
 Always make sure the keyless ignition node is in the
OFF position, key fob is removed from the vehicle
and vehicle is locked.
 Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
 Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehi -
cles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may cause
serious injury or death.
WARNING!

The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it
increase the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions.
BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces,
or hydroplaning. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner,
which could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of
others.

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124SAFETY
ESC Operating Modes
Depending upon model and mode of operation, the ESC
system may have multiple operating modes.
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for the ESC. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this mode.
This mode should be used for most driving conditions.
Alternate ESC modes should only be used for specific
reasons as noted in the following paragraphs.
Partial Off
This mode may be useful if the vehicle becomes stuck.
This mode may modify TCS and ESC thresholds for
activation, which allows for more wheel spin than normally
allowed
To enter the “Partial Off” mode, momentarily push the ESC
OFF button and the ESC OFF Indicator Light will illuminate.
To turn the ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF
button and the ESC OFF Indicator Light will turn off.
NOTE:When driving with snow chains, or when starting off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to allow
more wheel spin. This can be accomplished by momen -
tarily pushing the ESC OFF button to enter partial mode
“Partial Off” mode. Once the situation requiring “Partial
Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pushing the ESC OFF button. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light
The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
in the instrument cluster will come on when the
ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode. It
should go out with the engine running. If the
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on
after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than
30 mph (48 km/h), see an authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light starts to
flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system
becomes active. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light also flashes when TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash
during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply
as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
The ESC OFF Indicator Light indicates that the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is in a reduced
mode.
NOTE:
The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and the
ESC OFF Indicator Light come on momentarily each
time the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position.
 Each time the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN posi -
tion, the ESC system will be on even if it was turned off
previously.
 The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
HSA is designed to mitigate roll back from a complete stop
while on an incline. If the driver releases the brake while
stopped on an incline, HSA will continue to hold the brake
pressure for a short period. If the driver does not apply the
throttle before this time expires, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill as
normal.
WARNING!
When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality of
ESC (except for the limited slip feature described in
the TCS section) has been disabled and the ESC OFF
Indicator Light will be illuminated. When in “Partial
Off” mode, the engine power reduction feature of
TCS is disabled, and the enhanced vehicle stability
offered by the ESC system is reduced.
 Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when the ESC
system is in the “Partial Off” mode.

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 124

SAFETY125
The following conditions must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
The feature must be enabled.
 The vehicle must be stopped.
 The parking brake must be off.
 The driver door must be closed.
 The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
 The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction
(i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle
backing uphill is in REVERSE (R) gear).
 HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears.
The system will not activate if the transmission is in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows: Úpage 105.
Towing With HSA
HSA will also provide assistance to mitigate roll back while
towing a trailer.
Ready Alert Braking (RAB)
RAB may reduce the time required to reach full braking
during emergency braking situations. It anticipates
when an emergency braking situation may occur by
monitoring how fast the throttle is released by the driver.
The Electronic Brake Control (EBC) system will prepare the
brake system for a panic stop.
Rain Brake Support (RBS)
RBS may improve braking performance in wet conditions.
It will periodically apply a small amount of brake pressure
to remove any water buildup on the front brake rotors.
It functions when the windshield wipers are in LO or HI
speed. When RBS is active, there is no notification to the
driver and no driver interaction is required.
Traction Control System (TCS)

The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of the
driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS may apply
brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduce vehicle
power to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature
of the TCS, Brake Limited Differential (BLD) functions similarly
to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin across
a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster
than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning
wheel. This will allow more vehicle torque to be applied to the
wheel that is not spinning. BLD may remain enabled even if TCS
and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are in reduced modes.

Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an
excessively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. Note that TSC cannot
stop all trailers from swaying. Always use caution when
towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue weight
recommendations
Úpage 94.
When TSC is functioning, the ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light will flash, the engine power may be reduced
and you may feel the brakes being applied to individual
wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is
disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” mode.
WARNING!

There may be situations where the Hill Start Assist (HSA) will
not activate and slight rolling may occur, such as on minor
hills or with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer. HSA is
not a substitute for active driving involvement. It is always
the driver’s responsibility to be attentive to distance to other
vehicles, people, and objects, and most importantly brake
operation to ensure safe operation of the vehicle under all
road conditions. Your complete attention is always required
while driving to maintain safe control of your vehicle. Failure
to follow these warnings can result in a collision or serious
personal injury.

WARNING!
 If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer,
the trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated
with the brake switch. If so, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold both the vehicle and the
trailer on a hill when the brake pedal is released.
In order to avoid rolling down an incline while
resuming acceleration, manually activate the trailer
brake or apply more vehicle brake pressure prior to
releasing the brake pedal.
 HSA is not a parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when exiting your vehicle. Also, be certain
to place the transmission in PARK.
 Failure to follow these warnings can result in a colli -
sion or serious personal injury.
6

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126SAFETY
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS
BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) —
I
F EQUIPPED

The BSM system uses two radar sensors, located inside the
rear fascia/bumper, to detect highway licensable vehicles
(automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, etc.) that enter the blind
spot zones from the rear/front/side of the vehicle.

Rear Detection Zones

When the vehicle is started, the BSM Warning Light will
momentarily illuminate in both outside rearview mirrors
to let the driver know that the system is operational. The BSM system sensors operate when the vehicle is in
any forward gear and enters standby mode when the
vehicle is in PARK (P).
The BSM detection zone covers approximately one lane
width on both sides of the vehicle 12 ft (3.7 m). The zone
length starts at the outside rearview mirror and extends
approximately 10 ft (3 m) beyond the rear fascia/bumper
of the vehicle. The BSM system monitors the detection
zones on both sides of the vehicle when the vehicle speed
reaches approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher and will
alert the driver of vehicles in these areas.
NOTE:

The BSM system DOES NOT alert the driver about
rapidly approaching vehicles that are outside the
detection zones.
 The BSM system detection zone DOES NOT change if
your vehicle is towing a trailer. Therefore, visually verify
the adjacent lane is clear for both your vehicle and
trailer before making a lane change. If the trailer or
other object (i.e., bicycle, sports equipment) extends
beyond the side of your vehicle, this may result in false
detections. The BSM Warning Light may even remain
illuminated the entire time the vehicle is in a forward
gear
Úpage 105.
 The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may experi -
ence dropouts (blinking on and off) of the side mirror
warning indicator lights when a motorcycle or any small
object remains at the side of the vehicle for extended
periods of time (more than a couple of seconds).
The BSM system can become blocked if snow, ice, mud, or
other road contaminations accumulate on the rear fascia/
bumper where the radar sensors are located. The system may
also detect blockage if the vehicle is operated in areas with
extremely low radar returns such as a desert or parallel to a
large elevation drop. If blockage is detected, a “Blind Spot
Temporarily Unavailable, Wipe Rear Corners” message will
display in the cluster, both mirror lights will illuminate, and BSM
and RCP alerts will not occur. This is normal operation. The
system will automatically recover and resume function when
the condition clears. To minimize system blockage, do not block
the area of the rear fascia/bumper where the radar sensors are
located with foreign objects (bumper stickers, bicycle racks,
etc.) and keep it clear of road contaminations.

Sensor Location

WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle down,
stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the trailer
load to eliminate trailer sway.

23_RUV_OM_EN_US_t.book Page 126