warning DODGE DURANGO 2005 2.G Manual Online

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher..................286

Adding Fuel..........................286

Changing A Flat Tire....................288
▫Jack Location........................288
▫Removing The Spare Tire................289
▫Tire Changing Procedure................291
Jump Starting.........................296

Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped........298

Towing A Disabled Vehicle................299
▫Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............299
▫Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............299
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Press the flasher switch
and all front and rear directional signals will flash
intermittently.
Press the switch a second time to turn off the emergency
flashers.This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
ADDING FUEL
If using a portable fuel container, it should have a flexible
nozzle long enough to reach past the restriction in the
fuel filler tube.
286 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is in a vehicle or on a truck
bed. You could be burned. Always place gas contain-
ers on the ground while filling.
WARNING!
Remove the gas cap slowly to prevent fuel spray
from the filler neck which may cause injury.
The volatility of present gasolines may cause a build
up of pressure in the fuel tank that may increase
while you drive. This pressure can result in a spray
of gasoline and/or vapors when you remove the cap
from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap slowly allows
the pressure to vent and prevents fuel spray.
Never allow any lit smoking materials near the
vehicles while removing the cap or filling the tank.
Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 287
6

WARNING!
The jack is designed as a tool for changing tires only.
The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes, unless suitable supports are placed
under the vehicle as a safety measure. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid
ice or slippery areas.
Removing The Spare Tire
The spare tire on the Dodge Durango is located under-
neath the vehicle in the rear.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 289
6

Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The scissor
jack is designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle
only. It is not recommended that the jack be used for
service purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Preparations
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or
slippery areas. Set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transmission). On Four
Wheel Drive vehicles, shift the transfer case to the “4L”
position.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 291
6

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 85-115 ft. lbs.
(115-155 N·m) torque. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by
your dealer or at a service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle.
Always stow the jack, tools and the extra tire and
wheel in the places provided.
7. Remove wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or alu-
minum wheel center caps on the spare wheel. This may
result in cap damage.
8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the
replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
294 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge
of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be
raised.
•Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of
motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely
stowed, spares must be stowed with the value stem
facing the ground.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and
position it properly across the wheel opening.
For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow
with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.
Rotate the winch mechanism until the wheel is drawn
into place against the underside of the vehicle. Continue
to rotate until you feel the winch mechanism slip or click
2 times. It cannot be overtightened. Push against the tire
several times to be sure it is firmly in place.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 295
6

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don’t lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the con-
taminated area immediately with large quantities
of water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery
or any other booster source with an output that
exceeds 12 volts.
Check the Battery Test Indicator (if equipped). If a light or
bright colored dot is visible in the indicator (if equipped),
DO NOT jump-start the battery.
If the indicator (if equipped) is dark or shows a green dot,
proceed as follows:
1. Wear eye protection and remove all metal jewelry such
as watch bands or bracelets which might make an
unintended electrical contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the ignition
OFF on both vehicles.
3. Turn OFF heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
296 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting jump start.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 297
6

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
WARNING!
Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck
vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or
death.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps and chains may break, causing
serious injury.
298 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES