2005 DODGE DURANGO engine overheat

CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
As with any vehicle, do not park or operate this vehicle in
areas where combustible materials such as grass or leaves
can come in contact with a hot exhaust system.
A scorching odor may be detected if you continue to run
a malfunctioning engine. The odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, thevehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Service, including a tune-up to
manufacturer’s specifications should be obtained imme-
diately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed.
•Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods during
very rough idle or malfunctioning operating condi-
tions.
•Do not allow vehicle to run out of fuel.
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

Cooling System Tips—Trailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
•City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
•Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
•See Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW/HAUL” feature on when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades. Move the shift lever to the next
lower position to eliminate excessive transmission shift-
ing. This action will also reduce the possibility of trans-
mission overheating and provide better engine braking.
7 - Pin Connector
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 317
7

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
All Dodge trucks are equipped with maintenance-free
batteries. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
solution of 50% recommended HOAT ethylene glycol
engine coolant (antifreeze) and distilled water should be
used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if
temperatures below
34°F (
37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine. The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of coolant, and to insure that coolant will
return to the radiator from the coolant coolant bottle.
The pressure cap should be inspected and cleaned if there
is any accumulation of foreign material on the sealing
surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
7

Points to Remember.................... 328
Radiator Cap......................... 327
Selection of Coolant...............326,357,359
Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 132
Cup Holder............................ 154
Customer Assistance..................... 385
Data Recorder, Event...................... 52
Daytime Running Lights................... 123
Dealer Service.......................... 310
Defroster, Rear Window................... 213
Defroster, Windshield................66,200,205
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 126
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 307
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 165
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 332
Oil (Engine).......................... 311Power Steering........................ 320
Disarming, Theft System................... 25
Disc Brakes............................ 330
Disposal
Used Coolant......................... 325
Door Ajar Light......................... 169
Door Locks............................. 13
Door Opener, Garage..................... 142
Drive Belts............................ 315
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 321
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 76
Electrical Power Outlets................... 151
Electronic Speed Control................... 132
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 239
Jacking............................. 291
Overheating.......................... 327
Tow Hooks.......................... 298
INDEX 397
10

Towing............................. 299
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 362
Emission Related Components.............. 329
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 316
Block Heater......................... 220
Break-In Recommendations................ 64
Compartment......................305,306
Coolant (Antifreeze).................326,359
Cooling............................. 324
Exhaust Gas Caution..................65,266
Fails to Start.......................... 219
Flooded, Starting...................... 219
Fuel Requirements..................... 357
Jump Starting......................... 296
Oil ........................... 311,357,359
Oil Filler Cap......................... 313
Oil Selection.......................... 357
Oil Synthetic......................... 314Overheating.......................... 327
Starting............................. 218
Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 13
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 284
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 326
Event Data Recorder...................... 52
Exhaust Gas Caution................65,266,324
Exhaust System.......................65,323
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 37
Exterior Lighting........................ 123
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 316
Engine Fuel.......................... 316
Engine Oil........................314,359
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 314
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 286
398 INDEX

Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 75
Overdrive..........................167,223
Overdrive OFF Switch.................... 223
Overhead Console....................135,136
Overhead Travel Information Center.......... 136
Overheating, Engine...................166,327
Owner’s Manual........................ 390
Panic Alarm............................ 21
Parking Brake.......................... 234
Parking On Hill......................... 234
Passing Light........................... 125
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 130
Pets.................................. 64
Pets, Transporting........................ 64
Phone, Cellular.......................... 78
Phone, Hands-Free....................... 78
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 245
Positive Crankcase Valve.................. 330Power
Brakes.............................. 330
Distribution Center..................341,345
Door Locks.........................13,14
Mirrors.............................. 76
Outlet.............................. 151
Steering..........................238,320
Sunroof............................. 149
Windows............................. 27
Power Steering Fluid..................... 360
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 37
Preparation for Jacking.................... 291
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 35
Programmable Electronic Features.........144,148
Programming Transmitters............22,144,148
Radial Ply Tires......................... 252
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 327
404 INDEX