traction control DODGE DURANGO 2013 3.G User Guide

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition. En-
gine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position. The “ESC Malfunction Indicator Light” located in the
instrument cluster will start to flash as soon as the tires
lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The
“ESC Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when the
TCS is active. If the “ESC Malfunction Indicator Light”
begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
490 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning.
ESC also cannot prevent accidents resulting from loss
of vehicle control due to inappropriate driver input
for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
The ESC system has two available operating modes in
AWD AUTO range and two-wheel drive vehicles, and
one operating mode in AWD LOW range.
AUTO Range (All-Wheel Drive Models) Or
Two-Wheel Drive Models
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in AWD
AUTO range and in two-wheel drive vehicles. Whenever
the vehicle is started or the transfer case (if equipped) is
shifted from AWD LOW range or NEUTRAL back to
AWD AUTO range, the ESC system will be in this “On”
mode. This mode should be used for most driving
situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial Off”
mode for specific reasons as noted below.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 491

NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Standards
Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
498 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body
clearance. Follow these recommendations to guard
against damage.
•Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on Rear Tires Only
• Due to limited clearance, the Security Chain Company
(SCC) Super Z6 low profile traction device or equiva-
lent is recommended on P265/60R18 or 265/50R20
tires.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
• Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise
occurs that could indicate device breakage. Remove
the damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
(Continued)
520 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
676 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Headlights On With Wipers...............201
High Beam Indicator ....................315
Illuminated Entry .......................23
Low Fuel ........................... .332
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........312
Map Reading ......................... .206
Passing ............................. .209
Reading ............................ .206
Rear Servicing ........................ .654
Rear Tail ............................ .654
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .320
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..............318
Service ............................. .652
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . .312
Side Marker ......................... .654
SmartBeams ......................... .202
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............311
Traction Control ....................... .497
Turn Signal ...........................112 Vanity Mirror
........................ .124
Loading Vehicle ......................... .545
Tires ............................... .504
Locks ..................................33
Child Protection ........................36
Door ................................33
Power Door ...........................35
Lubrication, Body ........................ .619
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ...................296
Maintenance Free Battery ....................615
Maintenance Procedures ....................610
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .660
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......312
Manual, Service ......................... .674
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ...............192
Memory Seat ........................... .192
Memory Seats and Radio ....................192
Methanol .............................. .534
10
INDEX 687

Trailer Towing........................ .558
Tread Wear Indicators ...................517
Tire Safety Information .....................498
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................555
Tow Hooks, Emergency .....................596
Towing ............................... .548
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................147
Disabled Vehicle ...................... .598
Guide .............................. .554
Recreational ......................... .563
Weight ............................. .554
Towing Assistance ........................ .147
Traction Control ......................... .487
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................493
Trailer Towing .......................... .548
Cooling System Tips ....................562
Hitches ............................. .553
Minimum Requirements ..................556
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................555 Wiring
............................. .559
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .554
Trailer Weight ........................... .554
Transfer Case ........................... .633
Electronically Shifted ....................469
Maintenance ......................... .633
Transmission Automatic ........................... .449
Maintenance ......................... .634
Shifting ............................. .447
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .27
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink ) . . . .262
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . . .24
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) .........24
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .517
Turn Signals ............................ .315
UCI Connector .......................... .380
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................675
694 INDEX