Here Are 5 Little Tidbits We Learned From The 2023 Dodge Hornet’s Owner’s Manual

As those who placed an early order for their all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet (GG) continue to wait, Mopar has updated its website to include the new C-UVs owner’s manual. Being the diehard Mopar lovers we are, we dug through all 288 pages of it and found a few interesting things about the newest Dodge vehicle.

So let’s take a look at five things we bet you didn’t know about the all-new Dodge Hornet…

Key Fob – 

Although the Hornet is the corporate clone of the new Alfa Romeo Tonale. Dodge is doing a lot of small things to make sure that the Hornet is their own and that starts with the key fob. The Hornet won’t share a common fob with the Tonale, but instead feature the same key fob that many of us have carried in our pockets for our Challengers, Chargers, and Durangos for the past several years.

Depleted Battery Key Fob – 

If your key fob battery is going dead, you can still start your vehicle. In most current Dodges, the owner’s manual will state to press the push-to-start button with the key fob to start the vehicle. However, in the Hornet, the process is a little different.

For Hornet owners, they will simply place their key fob in the cupholder in the center console and hit the push-to-start button. 

Power Liftgate –

On Hornet GT Plus and R/T Plus models, the vehicle is automatically equipped with a Hands-Free Power Liftgate. But did you know there are four ways to open the liftgate? 

• Key fob liftgate button
• Liftgate button on the headlight switch area of the I/P
• Hands-Free (or kicking your foot underneath the license plate area of the vehicle)
• Liftgate Electronic Release Button (located just about the license plate area of the vehicle)

Now, with the Liftgate Electronic Release Button, there is another button located in the same position as well, just to the left of it. That button controls the passive entry locking features of the vehicle, just like the little button on the door handle. So if your vehicle is unlocked and you want to lock it from the back of the vehicle without digging out your key fob, that is where you would do so.

Emergency Fuel Door Release – 

We have all seen one of those newer Chrysler Group products missing the exterior fuel door cover on their vehicle. Hey, sometimes they stick, but you don’t have to go all whack-a-mole to open the fuel door if it gets stuck. 

Instead, you can simply open the liftgate to the cargo area and look to the right side of the vehicle behind where the gas cap would be. Just in front of the cargo light, there is a little cap. Simply pull that little cap out and it will emergency release the fuel door on the outside. 

But just remember to put it back in its spot when you are done.

Tow-Eye – 

Certain Hornet models may be equipped with a “tow-eye” that can be used to move a disabled vehicle. When using a tow-eye, be sure to use the following precautions:

• The tow-eye must only be used for roadside emergencies. Use with an appropriate device in accordance with highway code (a rigid bar or rope) to maneuver the vehicle in preparation for transport via a tow truck.
• The tow-eye must not be used to move the vehicle off the road or where there are obstacles.
• Do not use the tow-eyes for tow truck hookup or highway towing.
   

The rear tow-eye receptacle is located behind an access door on the passenger’s side of the rear fascia/bumper. To install the tow-eye, open the access door using a small screwdriver or similar tool. Thread the tow-eye into the receptacle, making sure it is fully tightened. The tow-eye must be securely seated to the attaching bracket through the rear fascia/bumper. If the tow-eye is not securely seated to the attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be moved.

Bonus – Emergency Gas Can Filler – 

Let’s say you have run out of gas and need to use a gas can to put fuel in your Hornet. With the capless fuel filler design, it is impossible to simply put the nozzle of the gas can in the filler to fill the vehicle up. So instead of trying to force it down there and spilling gallons of gasoline down the side of your Hornet, you can locate the fuel funnel.