trailer DODGE DURANGO 2012 3.G Owners Manual

•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 the
BSM warning light remaining illuminated the entire
time the vehicle is in a forward gear.
The area on the rear fascia where the radar sensors are
located must remain free of snow, ice, and dirt/road
contamination so that the BSM system can function
properly. Do not block the area of the rear fascia where
the radar sensors are located with foreign objects (bum-
per stickers, bicycle racks, etc.). The BSM system notifies the driver of objects in the
detection zones by illuminating the BSM warning light
located in the outside mirrors in addition to sounding an
audible (chime) alert and reducing the radio volume.
Refer to “Modes Of Operation” for further information.
Sensor Location (Driver Side Shown)
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
Cannot take street, traffic, and weather conditions
into account, and may be limited upon adverse sight
distance conditions.
Does not predict the lane curvature or the move-
ment of preceding vehicles and will not compensate
for such changes.
Does not always fully recognize complex driving
conditions, which can result in wrong or missing
distance warnings.
Can only apply a maximum of 25% of the vehicle’s
braking capability, and will not bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.
WARNING!
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow,
sleet, heavy traffic, and complex driving situations
(i.e., in highway construction zones).
•When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
when driving on roads that are winding, icy,
snow-covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or
downhill slopes.
•When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
•When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a
constant speed.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in a
collision or serious personal injury.
210 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Cancel
The system will disable ACC without erasing the
memory if:
•You softly tap the brake pedal.
•You depress the brake pedal.
•You press the CANCEL switch.
•An Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) event occurs.
•A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) event occurs.
•If the transmission is shifted into NEUTRAL.
•The Electronic Stability Control/Traction Control Sys-
tem (ESC/TCS) activates.Driver Override
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 215

Precautions While Driving With ACC
In certain driving situations, ACC may have detection
issues. In these cases, ACC may brake late or unexpect-
edly. The driver needs to stay alert and may need to
intervene.
Adding A Trailer Hitch
The weight of a trailer/hitch may affect the performance
of ACC. If there is a noticeable change in performance
following the installation of a trailer/hitch, or if the ACC
performance does not return to normal after removing
the trailer/hitch see your authorized dealer.
ACC Unavailable Warning
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 225

ParkSenseSystem Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice, mud,
dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense system operat-
ing properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense.
•When you turn ParkSense off, the instrument cluster
will display “PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF.” Further-
more, 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 shift lever to the REVERSE
position and ParkSense is turned off, the EVIC will
display “PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF” message for as
long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
•ParkSense, when on, will MUTE the radio when it is
sounding a tone.
•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
properly. 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.
•Objects such as bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc.,
must not be placed within 12 in (30 cm) from the rear
fascia/bumper while driving the vehicle. 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 be displayed in
the EVIC.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 243

25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
308 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable. However, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is
required. You may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
•Engine Temperature Warning LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H,this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
pass H,the indicator will continuously flash and a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed
to cool. If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for more information.•Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 321

blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
DEFROST mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
NOTE:In some cases during high temperature trailer
tow operation the Air Conditioning system performance
may be reduced. This is to help protect the engine from
overheating during the high load condition.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other
obstructions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 417

▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 470
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 474
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 474
▫ Ready Alert Braking .................. 477
▫ Rain Brake Support ................... 477
▫ ESC Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC
Off Indicator Light ................... 477
 Tire Safety Information ................. 478
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 478
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 482
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 483
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 484
Tires — General Information ............. 488
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 488
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 489
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 491
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 491
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 491
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 492
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 493
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 493
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 494
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 494
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 495
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STARTING AND OPERATING 421

▫Replacement Parts ................... 519
▫ Maintenance ........................ 519
 Adding Fuel ......................... 519
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 519
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 522
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 523
▫ Certification Label ................... 523
 Trailer Towing ........................ 525
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 525
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 530
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 531
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 532▫
Towing Requirements ................. 533
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 538
 Snow Plow .......................... 539
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 540
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 540
▫ Recreational Towing – Rear-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 541
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Single-Speed Transfer Case) ....... 541
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Two-Speed Transfer Case) ........ 542
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STARTING AND OPERATING 423