TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER COVER
REMOVAL — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a trailer hitch
receiver cover, this must be removed to access the
trailer hitch receiver. This cover is located at the bottom
center of the rear fascia/bumper.
1. Turn the three locking retainers located at the bot-
tom of the hitch receiver cover a quarter turn coun-
terclockwise and pull bottom of the hitch receiver
cover outward (towards you).
2. Pull the bottom of the cover outward (towards you)
then downwards to disengage the tabs located at
the top of the hitch receiver cover to remove.
To reinstall the cover after towing repeat the procedure
in reverse order.
NOTE:
Be sure to engage all tabs and fully seat the hitch
receiver cover in the fascia/bumper prior to installation
of the quarter turn fasteners.
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
WARNING!
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 trail-
ers heavier in front is the cause of many trailer
collisions.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•
The TW 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 authorized 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 occu-
pants and cargo for your vehicle.
TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of the new vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are
recommended.
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.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Service and
Warranty Handbook (Auto Biography)”. Refer to “Service
And Warranty Handbook (Auto Biography)” for the
proper maintenance intervals. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR or GCWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as pos-
sible:
•
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 con-
trol. You could lose control of your vehicle and have
a collision.
(Continued)
Hitch Receiver Cover
1 — Hitch Receiver Cover
2 — Locking Retainers
158 STARTING AND OPERATING
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