tow bar DODGE DURANGO 2021 User Guide

154STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for
towing, to secure the front wheels in the
straight position.
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
A
LL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
(S
INGLE-SPEED TRANSFER CASE)
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models
do not have a N (Neutral) position in the transfer
case.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle
trailer provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
A
LL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
(T
WO-SPEED TRANSFER CASE)
The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral)
and the transmission must be in PARK for
recreational towing. The N (Neutral) selection
button is adjacent to the transfer case selector
switch. Shifts into and out of transfer case N
(Neutral) can take place with the selector switch in
any mode position.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
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.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission
and/or transfer case damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
DO NOT dolly tow any AWD vehicle. Towing
with only one set of wheels on the ground
(front or rear) will cause severe transmission
and/or transfer case damage. Tow with all
four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF the
ground (using a vehicle trailer).
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 recre -
ational towing.
Before recreational towing, be certain that the
transfer case is fully in N (Neutral)
Ú page 154. Otherwise, internal damage will
result.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements 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.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the N (Neutral) position without first fully
engaging the parking brake. The transfer case N
(Neutral) position disengages both the front and
rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will
allow the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission
is in PARK. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 154

STARTING AND OPERATING155
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground, with the engine running.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
Steps 1 through 3 are requirements that
must be met before pushing the N (Neutral)
button, and must continue to be met until
the shift has been completed. If any of
these requirements are not met before
pushing the N (Neutral) button or are no
longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral)
indicator light will flash continuously until all
requirements are met or until the N
(Neutral) button is released.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode
for a shift to take place and for the position
indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition
is not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not
take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not
been met.
4. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case N
(Neutral) 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 N (Neutral) is complete. A “FOUR
WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message
will appear in the instrument cluster.

N (Neutral) Button
5. After the shift is completed and the N (Neutral)
light stays on, release the N (Neutral) button.
6. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or DRIVE.
7. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
8. Press and hold the brake pedal. Shift the transmission back into NEUTRAL.
9. Firmly apply the parking brake.
10. With the transmission and transfer case in NEUTRAL, push and hold the ENGINE START/
STOP button until the engine turns off.
11. Place the transmission gear selector in PARK. Release the brake pedal.
12. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button twice (without pressing the brake pedal) to turn the
ignition to the OFF mode.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain
that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral)
before recreational towing to prevent damage to
internal parts.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the
transmission is shifted into PARK with the
transfer case in N (Neutral) and the engine
running. With the transfer case in N (Neutral)
ensure that the engine is OFF before shifting the
transmission into PARK.
4

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 155

262IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to
prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars
and other equipment designed for this purpose,
following equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar
or other towing device to main structural members
of the vehicle, not to fascia/bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers,
defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN mode, not the ACC mode.
If the vehicle's battery is discharged, instructions
on shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK
(P) in order to move the vehicle can be found on
Ú page 258.
REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA US LLC recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the
transmission is operable, the vehicle may be towed
(with rear wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
The transmission must be in NEUTRAL (N).
For instructions on shifting the transmission to
NEUTRAL (N) when the engine is off
Ú page 258.
The towing speed must not exceed
30 mph (48 km/h).
The towing distance must not exceed
30 miles (48 km). If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle
must be towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or
farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear
wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to
tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front
wheels raised and the rear wheels on a towing
dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight
position) with the rear wheels raised and the front
wheels ON the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck,
do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may
result from improper towing.
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or
farther than 30 miles (48 km) with rear
wheels on the ground can cause severe trans -
mission damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 262