brake fluid DODGE DURANGO 2012 3.G Owners Manual

WARNING! (Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Objects
can become trapped under the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cutsand cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 101

17. Fuel Door ReminderThe fuel pump symbol points to the side of the
vehicle where the fuel door is located.
18. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
19. Air Bag Warning Light This light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to the ON/RUN position. If the light is
either not on during starting, stays on, or turns
on while driving, have the system inspected at an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information. 20. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Amber Telltale Area
This area will display the EVIC reconfigurable amber
caution telltales. For further information, refer to “Elec-
tronic vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”.
21. Vehicle Security Light
This light will flash rapidly for approximately
15 seconds when the vehicle theft alarm is
arming. The light will flash at a slower speed
continuously after the alarm is set. The security
light will also come on for about three seconds when the
ignition is first turned on.
22. Brake Warning Light This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 305

indicate that the parking brake is applied, that the brake
fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the
anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the condition
has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system isindicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
306 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

All-Wheel Drive Operation ............... 450
▫ Single-Speed Operating Instructions/
Precautions (3.6L Engine) – If Equipped .... 450
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) – If
Equipped .......................... 450
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 454
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 457
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 457
▫ When To Use Low Range – If Equipped .... 457
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 457
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 459
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 459
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 460 ▫
After Driving Off-Road ................ 460
 Power Steering ....................... 461
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 461
▫ 5.7L Engine ........................ 463
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 464
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only .......... 465
 Parking Brake ........................ 465
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 467
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 468
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 468
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 469
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 470
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

Electronic Range Select (ERS) feature, when the trans-
mission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Single-Speed Operating Instructions/Precautions
(3.6L Engine) – If Equipped
This system contains a single-speed (HI range only)
transfer case, which provides convenient full-time all-
wheel drive. No driver interaction is required. The Brake
Traction Control (BTC) System, which combines standardABS and Traction Control, provides resistance to any
wheel that is slipping to allow additional torque transfer
to wheels with traction.
NOTE:
This system is not appropriate for conditions
where LOW range is recommended. Refer to “Off-Road
Driving Tips” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) – If
Equipped
This is an electronic shift transfer case and it is operated
by the AWD Control Switch, which is located on the
center console.
450 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Brake System ....................... 607
▫ Front/Rear Axle Fluid ................. 609
▫ Transfer Case ....................... 610
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 611
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 614
 Fuses .............................. 620
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 620
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 625
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 626
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 627
▫ High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (HID) –
If Equipped ........................ 627 ▫
Halogen Headlamps – If Equipped ........ 627
▫ Front Turn Signal .................... 628
▫ Front Fog Lamps .................... 628
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, And Backup
Lamps ............................ 630
▫ Rear Liftgate Mounted Tail Lamp ......... 630
▫ Center High-Mounted Stop
Lamp (CHMSL) ..................... 631
▫ Rear License Lamp ................... 631
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 632
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 634
▫ Engine ............................ 634
▫ Chassis ........................... 635
580 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 581

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Air Cleaner Filter
582 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be periodically inspected.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Fluid Level Check – Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the brake system warning lamp indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a plastic reservoir. On the
outboard side of the reservoir, there is a “MAX” dot and
a “MIN” dot. The fluid level must be kept within these
two dots. Do not add fluid above the MAX mark, because
leakage may occur at the cap.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 607

With disc brakes, the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylin-
der reservoir.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
608 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE