automatic transmission DODGE DURANGO 2008 2.G Owners Manual

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The dealer that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys from your dealer. Ask
your dealer for these numbers and keep them in a safe
place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, and remove the key.
NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place the
lever in PARK, the key may become trapped temporarily
Ignition Key
Ignition Switch Positions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
feet (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below (refer to the
table below for the speed for your specific engine), the
speed control will automatically disengage. If this hap-
pens, you can push down on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a Automatic transmission may
exhibit several downshifts under the above conditions.
To reduce the frequency of the downshifts and to im-
prove vehicle performance, it is advisable to lock out
overdrive by pressing the ªTOW/HAULº button located
at the end of the gear shifter.WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
NOTE:The manufacturer suggest disabling the Rear
Park Assist System when towing a trailer. Refer to
Overhead Console with Electronic Vehicle Information
(EVIC) ± If Equipped, Personal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features) in section 3 of this Owner Manual.
This system is used to help drivers determine if an obstacle
is in the way of the vehicle while it is backing up in
addition to the use of inside rearview and outside mirrors.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Use the STEP button to display one of the following:
²ªLANGUAGEº ± When in this display you may select
one of several different languages for all display
nomenclature, including the trip functions. Press the
RESET button while in this display to select your
preferred language. Then, as you continue, the infor-
mation will display in the selected language.
²ªAUTO DOOR LOCKS > YESº ± When ON is selected,
all doors will lock automatically when the vehicle
reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h). To make your
selection, press and release the RESET button until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªAUTO UNLOCK ON EXIT > YESº ± When ON is
selected, all doors will unlock when the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position and the driver's door is opened. To
make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªRKE UNLOCK DRV DR 1stº ± WhenDRV DR 1stis
selected, only the driver's door will unlock on the first
press of the remote keyless entry unlock button. When
Driver Door 1st Press is selected, you must press of the
remote keyless entry unlock button twice to unlock the
passenger's doors. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ªDRV DR 1st º appears.
²ªRKE UNLOCK ALL DR 1STº ± When AllALL DR
1STis selected, all of the doors will unlock on the first
press of the remote keyless entry unlock button. To
make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until ªAll DR 1stº appears.
²MEM. RECALL WITH RKE > YES ± When ON is
selected, pressing the unlock button on the RKE will
recall the memory settings for the seat, mirror and
radio. To make your selection, press and release the
RESET button until ªON9or ªOFFº appears.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
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²ªSOUND HORN W/LOCK > YESº ± When ON is
selected, a short horn sound will occur when the
remote keyless entry ªLockº button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. To make your selection, press
and release the RESET button until ªONº or ªOFFº
appears.
²ªFLASH LAMPS w/LOCK >YESº ± When ON is
selected, the front and rear turn signals will flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the remote
keyless entry transmitter. This feature may be selected
with or without the sound horn on lock feature
selected. To make your selection, press and release the
RESET button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªHEAD LAMP OFF DELAY > 0 SECº ± When this
feature is selected, the driver can choose to have the
head lamps remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds whenexiting the vehicle. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ª0,º ª30,º ª60,º or ª90º
appears.
NOTE:The head lamp switch must be in the ªAº auto
mode before this feature will work.
²HEADLAMPS W /WIPERS > YES ± When ON is
selected, the headlamps will automatically turn on
when the wiper switch is activated.
²EASY EXIT SEAT > YES ± When ON is selected, and
the key is removed from the ignition, the driver's seat
will automatically move rearward to allow easy exit.
²TILT MIRRORS IN ªRº > YES ± When On is selected,
and the transmission is put in reverse, the outside
mirrors will tilt downward.
164 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

illuminates and the ABS is switched off. When the
voltage is above this value again, the malfunction indi-
cator light should go out and the ABS is operational. If
the malfunction indicator light stays illuminated, have
the system checked at your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
12. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light indicates that the engine oil pressure has
become too low. For a bulb check, this light will
come on momentarily when the ignition is turned On. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut
off the engine as soon as possible. Immediate service
should be obtained.
13. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(rpm x 1000).14. Gear Selector
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes) have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
196 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................273
NAutomatic Transmission................273
NNormal Starting......................273
mEngine Block Heater ± If Equipped..........276
mAutomatic Transmission..................276
NAutomatic Transmission................276
mFour-Wheel Drive Operation...............281
NNV 140 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ± If Equipped......281NNV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions...............282
NShifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case........................286
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............287
mDriving Through Water..................288
NFlowing/Rising Water..................288
NShallow Standing Water.................288
mParking Brake.........................290
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER ± IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
The 3.7L/4.7L engine block heater cord is located at the
front of the engine compartment near the radiator cap.
The 5.7L engine block heater cord is located on the left
side of the engine compartment and rearward of the
power distribution center.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Automatic Transmission
The electronic PRNDL on the instrument cluster indicates
the transmission gear selected. The selector lever is
mounted on the right side of the steering column. To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of PARK.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

ªPº Park
Supplements parking brake by locking the transmission.
Engine can be started in this range. Never use Park while
vehicle is in motion. Apply parking brake when leaving
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
then place selector in Park position.
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling the lever toward you, after you have set it in
P (Park). Make sure it is in Park before leaving the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmission
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
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Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
²the transmission selector is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
²the ªTOW/HAULº switch has not been activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
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