DODGE DURANGO 2011 3.G Owners Manual

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 329

Operating Tips Chart
330 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 336
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 336
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 337
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 338
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 339
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 340
▫ After Starting ....................... 341
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 341
Automatic Transmission ................. 342
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 342
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 343
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 343
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 343
 All-Wheel Drive Operation ............... 350
▫ Single-Speed Operating Instructions/
Precautions (3.6L Engine) – If Equipped .... 350
5

▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) –
If Equipped ........................ 351
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 355
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 358
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 358
▫ When To Use Low Range – If Equipped .... 358
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 358
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 360
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 360
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 361
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 361
 Power Steering ....................... 362
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 362 ▫
5.7L Engine ........................ 363
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 364
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only .......... 365
 Parking Brake ........................ 365
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 368
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 368
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 368
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 369
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 370
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 370
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 373
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 374
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Ready Alert Braking .................. 376
▫ Rain Brake Support ................... 376
▫ ESC Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC
Off Indicator Light ................... 377
 Tire Safety Information ................. 378
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 378
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 381
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 382
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 383
 Tires — General Information ............. 387
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 387
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 388
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 390 ▫
Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 390
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 391
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 391
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 392
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 393
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 394
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 394
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 395
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 395
 Tire Chains (Traction Devices) ............. 397
 Snow Tires .......................... 398
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 398
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STARTING AND OPERATING 333

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 399
▫ Base System ........................ 402
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 405
▫ General Information .................. 409
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 410
▫ 3.6L Engine – If Equipped .............. 410
▫ 5.7L Engine – If Equipped .............. 410
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 411
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 411
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 411
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 412
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 413
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 413 ▫
Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 414
 Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 414
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 414
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 416
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 416
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 417
▫ Starting ........................... 417
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 417
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 418
▫ Maintenance ........................ 418
 Adding Fuel ......................... 418
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 418
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 421
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 422
▫ Certification Label ................... 422
 Trailer Towing ........................ 424
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 424
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 429
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 430
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 431
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 432
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 437 
Snow Plow .......................... 438
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 439
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 439
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Single-Speed Transfer Case) ....... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Two-Speed Transfer Case) ........ 441
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STARTING AND OPERATING 335

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key fob in
the ignition switch. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

Do notpress the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in
10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter is in the passenger compart-
ment.
Installing And Removing The ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Installing The Button
1. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch with the lettering facing up and readable.
3. Press firmly on the center of the button to secure it into
position.
Removing The Button
1. The ENGINE START/STOP button can be removed
from the ignition switch for key fob use.
2. Insert the metal part of the emergency key under the
chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position and gently pry the
button loose.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 337

NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button should only
be removed or inserted with the ignition in the LOCK
position (OFF position for Keyless Enter-N-Go).
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. Press and hold the brake pedal while press-
ing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. The system
takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after
10 seconds. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine
prior to the engine starting, press the button again.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) will
display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine
will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING