tow DODGE DURANGO 2013 3.G Repair Manual

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 addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
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,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 559

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer up in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include an adaptive drive strategy
to avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, select
TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped), or a lower gear range
(using the Electronic Range Select [ERS] shift control).
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or
selecting a lower gear range (using the ERS shift control)
while operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This
action will also provide better engine braking. If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the trans-
mission fluid and filter(s) as specified for “police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.” Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” 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.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 561

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 AL-
LOWED
• See Instructions
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow FrontNOT AL-
LOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK OK5
STARTING AND OPERATING 563

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
allowedONLYif the rear wheels are OFFthe 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 apply the parking brake. Shift the transmission into PARK.
4. Turn the engine OFF and remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
5. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer ’s instructions. 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.
564 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive Models
(Two-Speed Transfer Case)
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and
the transmission must be in PARK for recreational tow-
ing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to the
transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the
selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Inter-
nal damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
recreational towing.
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL
(N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 565

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Failure to follow these procedures can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
566 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the transmission into PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, remove the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button and use the key fob to
complete this procedure. Refer to “Installing And
Removing The ENGINE START/STOP Button/
Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Starting and Operating”
for how to remove the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 567

11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensurethat there is no vehicle movement.
12. Turn the engine OFF, then turn the ignition switch back to the ON/RUN position without starting the
engine.
13. Firmly apply the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine
is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.
15. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar. 16. Release the parking brake.
17. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
NOTE:
• Steps 1 through 6 are requirements that must be met
before pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met before press-
ing the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no longer met
during the shift, then the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements are met
or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 569

•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con- nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL
(N) button (located by the selector switch) for one
second.
NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid
gear clash.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
570 STARTING AND OPERATING

9. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns off,release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
10. After the NEUTRAL (N) button has been released, the transfer case will shift to the position indicated by
the selector switch.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK.
12. Release the brake pedal.
13. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
14. Start the engine. 15. Press and hold the brake pedal.
16. Release the parking brake.
17. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brake
pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
18. The Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button (if equipped) may now be reinstalled if desired. Refer to “Starting
Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 571