wheel DODGE DURANGO 2013 3.G Manual Online

•Vehicles not factory equipped with trailer tow package
are limited to 3,500 lbs (350 lbs tongue weight).
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the GTW
on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads balanced over the
wheels or heavier in the rear can cause the trailer to sway
severely side to side which will cause loss of control of
the vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in
front is the cause of many trailer collisions. Never exceed
the maximum tongue weight stamped on your trailer
hitch. Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 555

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 or chockthe 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 .
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 557

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
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7.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 four
seconds. The light behind the N symbol will blink,
indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blinking
(stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is
complete. A “FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN NEU-
TRAL” message will display on the EVIC (Electronic
Vehicle Information Center). Refer to “Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
8. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N)light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
9. Start the engine.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
568 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ...........574
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............574
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ..........576
▫ Jack Location ....................... .576
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ....................577
▫ Spare Tire Removal ....................578
▫ Preparations For Jacking ................581
▫ Jacking Instructions ...................582
▫ Road Tire Installation ...................590 
JUMP-STARTING ...................... .590
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............591
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ................593
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............594
 EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . .596
 SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................597
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........598
▫ Without The Key Fob ...................600
▫ Rear-Wheel Drive Models ................600
▫ All-Wheel Drive Models .................601
6

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only. The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
Jack Location
The scissor-type jack and tire changing tools are located
in rear cargo area, below the load floor.
576 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. Spread the retaining tabs on the plastic plate and pullthe metal stamping toward you to release it from the
plastic plate.
6. Slide the metal stamping up the steel extension tube and winch cable. Rotate the metal stamping and push
it through the hole in the plastic plate and wheel. 7. Pinch the three short and two long tubes to remove the
protective plate from the steel spare wheel.
Tab Location
Sleeve And Cable
580 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, away fromtraffic.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle closest to moving traffic, pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Place the transmission in PARK, set the parking brake and activate the Hazard Warning flashers.
3. Block the diagonally opposite wheel. NOTE:Passengers should not remain
in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being jacked.
Releasing Protective Plate6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 581