Dodge Journey (2020 year). Manual in english

168

STARTING AND OPERATING

(Continued)

When exiting the vehicle, always:



Apply the parking brake.



Shift the transmission into PARK.



Turn the ignition OFF.



Remove the key fob from the vehicle.

WARNING!



Never use the PARK position as a substi-

tute for the parking brake. Always apply the

parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle

to guard against vehicle movement and

possible injury or damage.



Your vehicle could move and injure you and

others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to

move the gear selector out of PARK with the

brake pedal released. Make sure the trans-

mission is in PARK before exiting the

vehicle.



It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or

NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than

idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing

the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-

erate quickly forward or in reverse. You

could lose control of the vehicle and hit

someone or something. Only shift into gear

when the engine is idling normally and your

foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.



Unintended movement of a vehicle could

injure those in or near the vehicle. As with

all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle

while the engine is running. Before exiting a

vehicle, always come to a complete stop,

then apply the parking brake, shift the

transmission into PARK, and turn the igni-

tion OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF

mode, the transmission is locked in PARK,

securing the vehicle against unwanted

movement.



When leaving the vehicle, always make

sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,

remove the key fob from the vehicle, and

lock the vehicle.

WARNING!

(Continued)



Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or

with access to an unlocked vehicle.

Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat-

tended 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 transmission gear

selector.



Do not leave the key fob in or near the

vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-

dren), and do not leave the ignition in the

ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could

operate power windows, other controls, or

move the vehicle.

WARNING!

(Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING

169

The following indicators should be used to

ensure that you have properly engaged the

transmission into the PARK position:



When shifting into PARK, firmly move the

gear selector all the way forward and to the

left until it stops and is fully seated.



Look at the transmission gear position

display and verify that it indicates the PARK

position.



With brake pedal released, verify that the

gear selector will not move out of PARK.

REVERSE (R)

This range is for moving the vehicle backward.

Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has

come to a complete stop.

NEUTRAL (N)

Use this range when the vehicle is standing for

prolonged periods with the engine running. The

engine may be started in this range. Apply the

parking brake and shift the transmission into

PARK if you must exit the vehicle.

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 characteris-

tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs

(such as when operating the vehicle under

heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, trav-

eling 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 transmission life by

reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds

normal operating limits, the powertrain

controller will modify the transmission shift

schedule and expand the range of torque

converter clutch engagement. This is done to

prevent transmission damage due to

overheating.

CAUTION!



Before moving the transmission gear

selector out of PARK, you must turn the igni-

tion to the ON/RUN mode, and also press

the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the

gear selector could result.



DO NOT race the engine when shifting from

PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range,

as this can damage the drivetrain.

WARNING!

Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off

the ignition to coast down a hill. These are

unsafe practices that limit your response to

changing traffic or road conditions. You might

lose control of the vehicle and have a

collision.

CAUTION!

Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any

other reason with the transmission in

NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission

damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting

And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled

Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further

information.

170

STARTING AND OPERATING

During cold temperatures, transmission opera-

tion may be modified depending on engine and

transmission temperature as well as vehicle

speed. This feature improves warm up time of

the engine and transmission to achieve

maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque

converter clutch is inhibited until the transmis-

sion fluid is warm (refer to the “Note” under

“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).

During extremely cold temperatures

(-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly

be limited to only second gear. Normal opera-

tion will resume once the transmission

temperature has risen to a suitable level.

AutoStick

AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission

feature providing manual shift control, giving

you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick

allows you to maximize engine braking, elimi-

nate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and

improve overall vehicle performance. This

system can also provide you with more control

during passing, city driving, cold slippery condi-

tions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and

many other situations.

Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick posi-

tion (below the DRIVE position), it can be moved

from side to side. This allows the driver to manu-

ally 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 necessary to prevent engine

over-speed.



The transmission will automatically down-

shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine

lugging) and will display the current gear.



The transmission will automatically down-

shift to first gear when coming to a stop. After

a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+)

the transmission as the vehicle is acceler-

ated.



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.



Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is

engaged.



Transmission shifting will be more noticeable

when AutoStick is enabled.



The system may revert to automatic shift

mode if a fault or overheat condition is

detected.

STARTING AND OPERATING

171

To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear

selector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in

or out of the AutoStick position at any time

without taking your foot off the accelerator

pedal.

Transmission Limp Home Mode

Transmission function is monitored electroni-

cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition is

detected that could result in transmission

damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is acti-

vated. In this mode, the transmission remains

in SECOND gear regardless of which forward

gear is selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL

will continue to operate. The Malfunction Indi-

cator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp

Home Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to

an authorized dealer for service without

damaging the transmission.

In the event of a momentary problem, the trans-

mission can be reset to regain all forward gears

by performing the following steps:

1. Stop the vehicle.

2. Shift the transmission into PARK.

3. Turn the ignition OFF.

4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.

5. Restart the engine.

6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the

problem is no longer detected, the trans-

mission will return to normal operation.

NOTE:

Even if the transmission can be reset, we

recommend that you visit an authorized dealer

at your earliest possible convenience. An autho-

rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to

assess the condition of your transmission.

If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized

dealer service is required.

Overdrive Operation

The automatic transmission includes an elec-

tronically controlled Overdrive (top gear). The

transmission will automatically shift into Over-

drive if the following conditions are present:



The gear selector is in the DRIVE position.



The transmission fluid has reached an

adequate temperature.



The engine coolant has reached an adequate

temperature.



The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.



The driver is not heavily pressing the

accelerator.

Torque Converter Clutch

A feature designed to improve fuel economy

has been included in the automatic transmis-

sion on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque

converter engages automatically at calibrated

speeds. This may result in a slightly different

feeling or response during normal operation in

the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops

or during some accelerations, the clutch auto-

matically disengages.

WARNING!

Do not downshift for additional engine

braking on a slippery surface. The drive

wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle

could skid, causing a collision or personal

injury.

172

STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:

The torque converter clutch will not engage until

the transmission fluid and engine coolant are

warm (usually 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 sufficiently warm, will

demonstrate that the transmission is able to

shift into and out of Overdrive.

POWER STEERING

The standard power steering system will give

you good vehicle response and increased ease

of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system

will provide mechanical steering capability if

power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is inter-

rupted, it will still be possible to steer your

vehicle. Under these conditions, you will

observe a substantial increase in steering

effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and

during parking maneuvers.

NOTE:



Increased noise levels at the end of the

steering wheel travel are considered normal

and do not indicate that there is a problem

with the power steering system.



Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the

power steering pump may make noise for a

short amount of time. This is due to the cold,

thick fluid in the steering system. This noise

should be considered normal, and it does not

in any way damage the steering system.

Power Steering Fluid Check

Checking the power steering fluid level at a

defined service interval is not required. The fluid

should only be checked if a leak is suspected,

abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the

system is not functioning as anticipated. Coordi-

nate inspection efforts through an authorized

dealer.

If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper

indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any

spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids

And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”

for the correct fluid type.

CAUTION!

Prolonged operation of the steering system at

the end of the steering wheel travel will

increase the steering fluid temperature and it

should be avoided when possible. Damage to

the power steering pump may occur.

WARNING!

Fluid level should be checked on a level

surface and with the engine off to prevent

injury from moving parts and to ensure

accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill.

Use only manufacturer's recommended

power steering fluid.

CAUTION!

Do not use chemical flushes in your power

steering system as the chemicals can

damage your power steering components.

Such damage is not covered by the New

Vehicle Limited Warranty.

STARTING AND OPERATING

173

SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED

When engaged, the Speed Control takes over

accelerator operations at speeds greater than

25 mph (40 km/h).
The Speed Control buttons are located on the

right side of the steering wheel.

Speed Control Buttons

NOTE:

In order to ensure proper operation, the Speed

Control system has been designed to shut down

if multiple Speed Control functions are operated

at the same time. If this occurs, the Speed

Control system can be reactivated by pushing

the Speed Control ON/OFF button and resetting

the desired vehicle set speed.

To Activate

Push the ON/OFF button. The Cruise Indicator

Light in the instrument cluster display will illumi-

nate. To turn the system off, push the ON/OFF

button a second time. The Cruise Indicator Light

will turn off. The system should be turned off

when not in use.

To Set A Desired Speed

Turn the Speed Control on. When the vehicle

has reached the desired speed, push the SET (-)

button and release. Release the accelerator

and the vehicle will operate at the selected

speed.

NOTE:

The vehicle should be traveling at a steady

speed and on level ground before pushing the

SET (-) button.

To Vary The Speed Setting

To Increase Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can increase

speed by pushing the RES (+) button.
The driver’s preferred units can be selected

through the instrument panel settings (if

equipped). Refer to “Getting To Know Your

Instrument Panel” for more information. The

speed increment shown is dependent on the

chosen speed unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric

(km/h):

U.S. Speed (mph)



Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in

a 1 mph increase in set speed. Each subse-

quent tap of the button results in an increase

of 1 mph.



If the button is continually pushed, the set

speed will continue to increase until the

button is released, then the new set speed

will be established.

1 — ON/OFF
2 — RES (+)
3 — SET (-)
4 — CANCEL

WARNING!

Leaving the Speed Control system on when

not in use is dangerous. You could

accidentally set the system or cause it to go

faster than you want. You could lose control

and have an accident. Always leave the

system off when you are not using it.

174

STARTING AND OPERATING

Metric Speed (km/h)



Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in

a 1 km/h increase in set speed. Each subse-

quent tap of the button results in an increase

of 1 km/h.



If the button is continually pushed, the set

speed will continue to increase until the

button is released, then the new set speed

will be established.

To Decrease Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can

decrease speed by pushing the SET (-) button.
The driver’s preferred units can be selected

through the instrument panel settings (if

equipped). Refer to “Getting To Know Your

Instrument Panel” for more information. The

speed decrement shown is dependent on the

chosen speed unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric

(km/h):

U.S. Speed (mph)



Pushing the SET (-) button once will result in

a 1 mph decrease in set speed. Each subse-

quent tap of the button results in a decrease

of 1 mph.



If the button is continually pushed, the set

speed will continue to decrease until the

button is released, then the new set speed

will be established.

Metric Speed (km/h)



Pushing the SET (-) button once will result in

a 1 km/h decrease in set speed. Each subse-

quent tap of the button results in a decrease

of 1 km/h.



If the button is continually pushed, the set

speed will continue to decrease until the

button is released, then the new set speed

will be established.

To Accelerate For Passing

Press the accelerator as you would normally.

When the pedal is released, the vehicle will

return to the set speed.

Using Speed Control On Hills

The transmission may downshift on hills to

maintain the vehicle set speed.

NOTE:

The Speed Control system maintains speed up

and down hills. A slight speed change on

moderate hills is normal.

On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may

occur so it may be preferable to drive without

Speed Control.

To Resume Speed

To resume a previously set speed, push the RES

(+) button and release. Resume can be used at

any speed above 20 mph (32 km/h).

To Deactivate

A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the

CANCEL button, or normal brake pressure while

slowing the vehicle will deactivate the Speed

Control without erasing the set speed from

memory.
Pushing the ON/OFF button, or returning the

ignition to the OFF position, erases the set

speed from memory.

WARNING!

Speed Control can be dangerous where the

system cannot maintain a constant speed.

Your vehicle could go too fast for the

conditions, and you could lose control and

have an accident. Do not use Speed Control

in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding,

icy, snow-covered or slippery.

STARTING AND OPERATING

175

The following conditions will also deactivate the

Speed Control without erasing the set speed

from memory:



Vehicle parking brake is applied



Stability event occurs



Gear selector is moved out of DRIVE



Engine overspeed occurs

PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST

The ParkSense Rear Park Assist system

provides visual and audible indications of the

distance between the rear fascia and a

detected obstacle when backing up (e.g. during

a parking maneuver).
Refer to “ParkSense System Usage Precau-

tions” in this section for limitations of this

system and recommendations.
ParkSense will retain the last system state

(enabled or disabled) from the last ignition cycle

when the ignition is changed to the ON/RUN

position.

ParkSense can be active only when the gear

selector is in REVERSE. If ParkSense is enabled

at this gear selector position, the system will

remain active until the vehicle speed is

increased to approximately 7 mph (11 km/h) or

above. The system will become active again if

the vehicle speed is decreased to speeds less

than approximately 6 mph (9 km/h).

ParkSense Sensors

The four ParkSense sensors, located in the rear

fascia/bumper, monitor the area behind the

vehicle that is within the sensors’ field of view.

The sensors can detect obstacles from approxi-

mately 12 inches (30 cm) up to 79 inches (200

cm) from the rear fascia/bumper in the hori-

zontal direction, depending on the location, type

and orientation of the obstacle.

ParkSense Display

When the vehicle is in REVERSE, the warning

display will turn on indicating the system status.

Park Assist Ready

Park Assist System Off

STARTING AND OPERATING

177

The vehicle is close to the obstacle when the warning display shows one flashing arc and sounds a continuous tone. The following chart shows the

warning alert operation when the system is detecting an obstacle:

ParkSense Warning Display

The ParkSense Warning screen will only be

displayed if “Sound and Display” is selected

from the Uconnect System. Refer to “Uconnect

Settings” in “Multimedia” for further

information.
The ParkSense Warning screen is located within

the instrument cluster display. It provides visual

warnings to indicate the distance between the

rear fascia/bumper and the detected obstacle.

Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in "Getting

To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further

information.

Enabling And Disabling ParkSense

ParkSense can be enabled and disabled using

the Uconnect System. The available choices

are: Off, Sound Only, or Sound and Display.

Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia”

for further information.

When the ParkSense button is pushed to

disable the system, the instrument cluster

display will show the “PARK ASSIST SYSTEM

OFF” message for approximately five seconds.

Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in

“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for

further information. When the gear selector is

moved to REVERSE and the system is disabled,

the instrument cluster display will show the

“PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF” message for as

long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.

WARNING ALERTS

Rear Distance

(inches/cm)

Greater than

79 inches (200 cm)

79-39 inches

(200-100 cm)

39-25 inches

(100-65 cm)

25-12 inches

(65-30 cm)

Less than 12 inches

(30 cm)

Audible Alert Chime

None

Single 1/2- Second

Tone

Slow

Fast

Continuous

Arcs

None

3 Solid (Continuous)

3 Slow Flashing

2 Slow Flashing

1 Slow Flashing

178

STARTING AND OPERATING

Service The ParkSense Rear Park Assist

System

During vehicle start up, when the ParkSense

Rear Park Assist system has detected a fault

condition, the instrument cluster display will

actuate a single chime, once per ignition cycle,

and it will display the “CLEAN PARK ASSIST”,

“SERVICE PARK ASSIST”, or “SERVICE PARK

ASSIST SYSTEM” message. Refer to “Instru-

ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your

Instrument Panel” for further information.

When the gear selector is moved to REVERSE

and the system has detected a fault condition,

the instrument cluster display will show the

"CLEAN PARK ASSIST", "SERVICE PARK ASSIST",

OR "SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM" messages

for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE. Under

this condition, ParkSense will not operate.
If “CLEAN PARK ASSIST” appears in the instru-

ment cluster display, make sure the outer

surface and the underside of the rear fascia/

bumper are clean and clear of snow, ice, mud,

dirt or other obstruction. Then, cycle the igni-

tion. If the message continues to appear, see an

authorized dealer.

If “SERVICE PARK ASSIST” or “SERVICE PARK

ASSIST SYSTEM” appears in the instrument

cluster display, see an authorized dealer.

Cleaning The ParkSense System

Clean the ParkSense sensors with water, car

wash soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or

hard cloths. Do not scratch or poke the sensors.

Otherwise, you could damage the sensors.

ParkSense System Usage Precautions

NOTE:



Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow,

ice, mud, dirt and debris to keep the Park-

Sense system operating properly.



Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibra-

tions could affect the performance of

ParkSense.



When you turn ParkSense off, the instrument

cluster display will read “PARK ASSIST

SYSTEM OFF.” Furthermore, once you turn

ParkSense off, it remains off until you turn it

on again, even if you cycle the ignition key.



When you move the gear selector to the

REVERSE position and ParkSense is turned

off, the instrument cluster display will show

the “PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF” message for

as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.



Clean the ParkSense sensors regularly,

taking care not to scratch or damage them.

The sensors must not be covered with ice,

snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris. Failure to do

so can result in the system not working prop-

erly. The ParkSense system might not detect

an 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 inches (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.

STARTING AND OPERATING

179

PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA

Your vehicle is equipped with the ParkView Rear

Back Up Camera that allows you to see an

on-screen image of the rear surroundings of

your vehicle whenever the gear selector is put

into REVERSE. The image will be displayed in

the touchscreen display along with a caution

note to “CHECK ENTIRE SURROUNDINGS”

across the top of the screen. After five seconds

this note will disappear. The ParkView camera is

located on the rear of the vehicle above the rear

license plate.

When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE, the

rear camera mode is exited and the last

selected touchscreen appears again.
The camera image is also available in the rear-

view mirror if the touchscreen display is

unavailable.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Camera

Delay feature and it is turned on, the rear

camera image will be displayed for up to

10 seconds when the vehicle is shifted out of

REVERSE unless the forward vehicle speed

exceeds 8 mph (13 km/h), the transmission is

shifted into PARK, the “X” button on the camera

display screen is pressed, or the vehicle's igni-

tion is placed in the OFF position.
Static grid lines will illustrate the width of the

vehicle. These lines will show separate zones

that will help indicate the distance to the rear of

the vehicle.

NOTE:

The ParkView Rear Back Up Camera has

programmable modes of operation that may be

selected through the Uconnect System. Refer to

“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further

information.

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

responsible 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 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 continuous

tone. Also, the sensors could detect the ball

mount and hitch ball assembly, depending

on its size and shape, giving a false indica-

tion 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.

180

STARTING AND OPERATING

Different colored zones indicate the distance to the rear of the vehicle.
The following table shows the approximate distances for each zone:

NOTE:

If snow, ice, mud, or any foreign substance

builds up on the camera lens, clean the lens,

rinse with water, and dry with a soft cloth. Do

not cover the lens.

Zone

Distance To The Rear Of The Vehicle

Red

0 - 1 ft (0 - 30 cm)

Yellow

1 ft - 3 ft (30 cm - 1 m)

Green

3 ft or greater (1 m or greater)

WARNING!

Drivers must be careful when backing up

even when using the ParkView Rear Back Up

Camera. Always check carefully behind your

vehicle, and be sure to check for pedestrians,

animals, other vehicles, obstructions, or blind

spots before backing up. You are responsible

for the safety of your surroundings and must

continue to pay attention while backing up.

Failure to do so can result in serious injury or

death.

CAUTION!



To avoid vehicle damage, ParkView should

only be used as a parking aid. The ParkView

camera is unable to view every obstacle or

object in your drive path.



To avoid vehicle damage, the vehicle must

be driven slowly when using ParkView to be

able to stop in time when an obstacle is

seen. It is recommended that the driver

look frequently over his/her shoulder when

using ParkView.

STARTING AND OPERATING

181

(Continued)

REFUELING THE VEHICLE

The gas cap is located behind the fuel filler door

on the left side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is

lost or damaged, be sure the replacement cap

has been designed for use with this vehicle.

Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)

NOTE:

When removing the fuel filler cap, lay the cap

tether in the hook, located on the fuel filler door

reinforcement.

NOTE:

Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking”

sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is

tightened properly. The MIL in the instrument

cluster may turn on if the gas cap is not secured

properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight-

ened each time the vehicle is refueled.

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message

If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that

the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly installed,

or damaged, a ”gASCAP” message will display in

the odometer or a “Check Gascap” message will

display in the instrument cluster. If this occurs,

tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the

Trip Odometer button to turn off the message. If

the problem continues, the message will appear

the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel

filler cap may also turn on the MIL.

WARNING!



Never have any smoking materials lit in or

near the vehicle when the gas cap is

removed or the tank is being filled.



Never add fuel to the vehicle when the

engine is running.



A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into

a portable container that is inside of a

vehicle. You could be burned. Always place

gas containers on the ground while filling.



Failure to follow this warning may result in

serious injury or death.

CAUTION!



Damage to the fuel system or emissions

control system could result from using an

improper fuel tank filler tube cap.



A poorly fitting fuel filler cap could let impu-

rities into the fuel system.



A poorly fitting fuel filler cap may cause the

“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” to turn

on.



To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not

“top off” the fuel tank after filling. When the

fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel

tank is full.

CAUTION!

(Continued)

182

STARTING AND OPERATING

VEHICLE LOADING

The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is

shown on the “Vehicle Certification Label”. This

information should be used for passenger and

luggage loading as indicated.
Do not exceed the specified Gross Vehicle

Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight

Rating (GAWR).

Vehicle Certification Label

Your vehicle has a Vehicle Certification Label

affixed to the drivers side B-Pillar or the rear of

the driver’s door.
The label contains the following information:



Name of manufacturer



Month and year of manufacture



Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)



Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front



Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear



Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)



Type of vehicle



Month, Day, and Hour of manufacture (MDH)

The bar code allows a computer scanner to read

the VIN.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your

vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, and

cargo. The total load must be limited so that you

do not exceed the GVWR.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front

and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front

and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do

not exceed either front or rear GAWR.

Overloading

The load carrying components (axle, springs,

tires, wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide

satisfactory service as long as you do not

exceed the GVWR and the front and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of

your vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded

and ready for operation. Weigh it on a commer-

cial scale to ensure that it is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of

the vehicle separately. It is important that you

distribute the load evenly over the front and rear

axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards

and shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or

suspension components do not necessarily

increase the vehicle's GVWR.

WARNING!

Because the front wheels steer the vehicle, it

is important that you do not exceed the

maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous

driving condition can result if either rating is

exceeded. You could lose control of the

vehicle and have a collision.

STARTING AND OPERATING

183

To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its

empty weight, axle-by-axle and side-by-side.

Store heavier items down low and be sure you

distribute their weight as evenly as possible.

Stow all loose items securely before driving. If

weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you

have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load

is within the specified GVWR, you must redis-

tribute the weight. Improper weight distribution

can have an adverse effect on the way your

vehicle steers and handles and the way the

brakes operate.

TRAILER TOWING

In this section you will find safety tips and infor-

mation on limits to the type of towing you can

reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a

trailer, carefully review this information to tow

your load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty

coverage, follow the requirements and recom-

mendations in this manual concerning vehicles

used for trailer towing.

Common Towing Definitions

The following trailer towing related definitions

will assist you in understanding the following

information:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your

vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo

and tongue weight. The total load must be

limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.

Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification

Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further

information.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the

weight of all cargo, consumables, and equip-

ment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on

the trailer in its "loaded and ready for operation"

condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to

put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.

The entire weight of the trailer must be

supported by the scale.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)

The GCWR is the total allowable weight of your

vehicle and trailer when weighed in

combination.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front

and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front

and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do

not exceed either front or rear GAWR. Refer to

“Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification Label” in

“Starting And Operating” for further

information.

WARNING!

It is important that you do not exceed the

maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous

driving condition can result if either rating is

exceeded. You could lose control of the

vehicle and have a collision.

Dodge Journey (2020 year). Manual in english - page 11