trailer DODGE DURANGO 2012 3.G Owner's Guide

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission
in PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always,
block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Trailer tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight).
534 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Requirements – Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for proper
inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Do
not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically-actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically-
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge-actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg), and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 535

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in a collision.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package includes both a seven-pin and a
four-pin connector at the rear of the vehicle.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
536 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the
TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped), or a lower gear range,
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or
selecting a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) feature) while operating the vehicle under
heavy operating conditions, will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking. The transmission fluid and filter should be changed if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation. Refer to “Maintenance Sched-
ule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the transmission fluid level before towing
(5.7L engine).
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
538 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF theGroundRear-Wheel Drive
Models All-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED See Instructions
•Transmission in PARK
•Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
•Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK OK
540 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recreational Towing – Rear-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground.
This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle
trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. Shift the transmission
into PARK.
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive Models
(Single-Speed Transfer Case)
Recreational towing is not allowed.
These models do
not have a NEUTRAL (N) position in the transfer case.
NOTE: This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels are OFFthe
ground.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 541

Cavity CartridgeFuseMini
Fuse Description
J03 30 Amp Pink Trailer Tow
J04 25 Amp Natural Driver Door Node
J05 25 Amp Natural Passenger Door Node
J06 40 Amp Green Antilock Brakes
Pump/Stability
Control System
J07 30 Amp Pink Antilock Brakes
Valve/Stability
Control System
J08 40 Amp Green Power Seat
J09 30 Amp Pink E-BrakeCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
Fuse Description
J10 30 Amp Pink Headlamp Wash
Relay Contact
J11 30 Amp Pink Drive Train Control
Module
J12 30 Amp Pink Rear Defroster
J13 60 Amp Yellow Main Ignition Off
Draw (IOD)
J14 20 Amp Blue Trailer Tow Lamps/
Park Lamps
J15 40 Amp Green Front Cabin Fan/
Blower
J17 40 Amp Green Starter Motor
Solenoid
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 621

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
3.6L and 5.7L Engines 24 Gallons91 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 6 Quarts5.6 Liters
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7 Quarts6.6 Liters
Cooling System *
3.6L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – Without Trailer
Tow Package 10 Quarts
9.8 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – With Trailer
Tow Package 11 Quarts
10.4 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – Front and Rear
Heat Without Trailer Tow Package 11.5 Quarts
10.8 Liters
632 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

U.S.Metric
3.6L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – Front and Rear
Heat With Trailer Tow Package 12 Quarts
11.4 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – Front and Rear
Heat Without Trailer Tow Package 16 Quarts
15.2 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
5-Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) – Front and Rear
Heat With Trailer Tow Package 17 Quarts
16.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 633

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The Scheduled Maintenance services listed in this
manual must be done at the times or mileages specified
to protect your vehicle warranty and ensure the best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions, such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving. Inspection and service should also be done
anytime a malfunction is suspected.
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, “Oil Change Required” will be dis-
played in the EVIC and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Change Oil” message is displayed.
Depending on operating conditions, the message may
appear as early as 3,500 miles (5 630 km) since last reset.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within
the next 500 miles (805 km).
8
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S638 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES