trailer DODGE DURANGO 2015 3.G Owners Manual

The BSM detection zone covers approximately one lane
on both sides of the vehicle (12 ft or 3.8 m). The zone
length starts at the outside rear view mirror and extends
approximately 10 ft (3 m) beyond the rear bumper of the
vehicle. The BSM system monitors the detection zones on
both sides of the vehicle when the vehicle speed has
reached approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher and
will alert the driver of vehicles in these areas.
NOTE:
•The BSM system does NOT alert the driver about
rapidly approaching vehicles that are outside the de-
tection zones.
•The BSM system detection zone DOES NOT change if
your vehicle is towing a trailer. Therefore, visually
verify the adjacent lane is clear for both your vehicle
and trailer before making a lane change. If the trailer or
other object (i.e., bicycle, sports equipment) extends
beyond the side of your vehicle, this may result in the
BSM warning light remaining illuminated or the alert
chime remaining on the entire time the vehicle is in a
forward gear. Refer to “Uconnect® Settings” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for more informa-
tion.
The area on the rear fascia where the radar sensors are
located must remain free of snow, ice, and dirt/road
contamination so that the BSM system can function
properly. Do not block the area of the rear fascia where
the radar sensors are located with foreign objects (bum-
per stickers, bicycle racks, etc.).
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
•Will bring the vehicle to a complete stop while
following a target vehicle and hold the vehicle
for 2 seconds in the stop position. If the target
vehicle does not start moving within two seconds
the ACC system will display a message that the
system will release the brakes and that the
brakes must be applied manually. An audible
chime will sound when the brakes are released.
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet,
heavy traffic, and complex driving situations (i.e.,
in highway construction zones).
•When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
when driving on roads that are winding, icy, snow-
covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or downhill
slopes.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
•When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a
constant speed.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control buttons (located on the right side of the
steering wheel) operates the ACC system.
198 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. If you do
not, the vehicle may continue to accelerate beyond the set
speed. If this occurs:
•The message “DRIVER OVERRIDE” will display in
the DID.
•The system will not be controlling the distance be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. The vehicle
speed will only be determined by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
To Cancel
The following conditions cancel the system:
•The brake pedal is applied.
•The CANCEL button is pushed.
•An Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) event occurs.
•The shift lever/gear selector is removed from the
Drive position.
•The Electronic Stability Control/Traction Control Sys-
tem (ESC/TCS) activates.
•The vehicle parking brake is applied.
•Driver seatbelt is unbuckled at low speeds.
•Driver door is opened at low speeds.
•A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) event occurs.
•The driver switches ESC to full-off mode.
To Turn Off
The system will turn off and clear the set speed in
memory if:
•The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) ON/OFF button
is pushed.
202 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

fault or a temporary malfunction that limits ACC func-
tionality. Although the vehicle is still drivable under
normal conditions, ACC will be temporarily unavailable.
If this occurs, try activating ACC again later, following an
ignition cycle. If the problem persists, see your autho-
rized dealer.
Precautions While Driving With ACC
In certain driving situations, ACC may have detection
issues. In these cases, ACC may brake late or unexpect-
edly. The driver needs to stay alert and may need to
intervene.
Towing A Trailer
Towing a trailer is not advised when using ACC.
Offset Driving
ACC may not detect a vehicle in the same lane that is
offset from your direct line of travel, or a vehicle merging
in from a side lane. There may not be sufficient distance
to the vehicle ahead. The offset vehicle may move in and
out of the line of travel, which can cause your vehicle to
brake or accelerate unexpectedly.
Offset Driving Condition Example
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 215

•Use the ParkSense® switch to turn the ParkSense®
system OFF if objects such as bicycle carriers, trailer
hitches, etc. are placed within 12 in (30 cm) from the
rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do so can result in the
system misinterpreting a close object as a sensor
problem, causing the “PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED” message to be displayed in the
DID.
CAUTION!
•ParkSense® is only a parking aid and it is unable to
recognize every obstacle, including small obstacles.
Parking curbs might be temporarily detected or not
detected at all. Obstacles located above or below
the sensors will not be detected when they are in
close proximity.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
ParkSense® in order to be able to stop in time
when an obstacle is detected. It is recommended
that the driver looks over his/her shoulder when
using ParkSense®.
WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using ParkSense®. Always check carefully
behind your vehicle, look behind you, and be sure
to check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles,
obstructions, and blind spots before backing up.
You are responsible for safety and must continue to
pay attention to your surroundings. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
(Continued)
236 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Certain conditions, poor fuel quality, may illuminate the
light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if
the light stays on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and will not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
11. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
294 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
•Transmission Temperature Warning Telltale
This telltale indicates that the transmission
fluid temperature is running hot. This may
occur with severe usage, such as trailer towing.
If this telltale turns on, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
•Service Forward Collision Warming — If Equipped
This light warns the driver of a potential colli-
sion with the vehicle in front and prompts the
driver to take action in order to avoid the
collision. For further information, refer to “Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC)” in “Understanding The Features
Of Your Vehicle.”
•Service Adaptive Cruise Control — If Equipped
This light will turn on when a ACC is not
operating and needs service. For further infor-
mation, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in “Understanding The Features Of
Your Vehicle.”
DID Red Telltales
This area will show reconfigurable red telltales. These
telltales include:
•Door Ajar
This light will turn on to indicate that one or
more doors may be ajar.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 309

!ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS................448
!OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS................448
▫When To Use LOW Range — If Equipped . . . .448
▫Driving Through Water.................449
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........450
▫Hill Climbing........................451
▫Traction Downhill.....................452
▫After Driving Off-Road.................452
!POWER STEERING.....................453
▫3.6L Engine..........................453
▫5.7L Engine..........................454
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............455
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................456
!PARKING BRAKE......................456
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................459
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .460
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............460
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............461
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............461
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)..........462
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........463
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..............466
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................467
▫Ready Alert Braking...................469
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Certification Label....................518
!TRAILER TOWING.....................520
▫Common Towing Definitions.............521
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............524
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................525
▫Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover Removal — If
Equipped...........................526
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............528
▫Towing Requirements..................529
▫Towing Tips.........................535
!SNOW PLOW.........................536
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................537
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .537
▫Recreational Towing — Rear-Wheel Drive
Models.............................538
▫Recreational Towing — All-Wheel Drive Models
(Single-Speed Transfer Case)..............539
▫Recreational Towing — All-Wheel Drive Models
(Two-Speed Transfer Case)...............539
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STARTING AND OPERATING 421

When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick shift
control (refer to AutoStick in this section for further
information) to select a lower gear. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm. Normal operation will resume once the trans-
mission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will
inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and
indicate what actions may be necessary.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 437