Page 190 of 440

driven several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48
km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE:•TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightand theESP/
BAS Warning Lampcome on momentarily each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.•The ESP Control System
will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is actively
operating.
26. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 10
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the 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.
190 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
Page 223 of 440

Air Conditioning Operation
To turn the air conditioning On or Off perform the
following steps:
•Position the mode control button to the desired airflow
setting.
•Set the front blower control to any desired speed.
•Press the Snowflake (A/C) button which is located to
the right of the temperature control slide. An indicator
light on the Snowflake (A/C) button shows that the air
conditioning is On.
•Press the Snowflake (A/C) button a second time to
turn the air conditioning Off.
NOTE:The compressor will not engage until the engine
has been running for several seconds. Slight changes inengine speed or power may be noticed when the com-
pressor cycles. This is a normal occurrence since the
compressor will cycle on and off to maintain comfort and
improve fuel economy.
Front Blower Control
The Front Blower controls the
amount of air delivered to the
passenger compartment.
There are four blower speeds.
The fan speed increases as
you turn the control clock-
wise. When the front blower
control is turned to OFF, the
blower will be turned off and
the system will be positioned
in recirculation mode.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 223
4
Page 229 of 440

Manual Control (ATC)
You also may choose to customize your comfort by
selecting the fan speed and mode manually. Pressing the
fan speed button or any mode button places the system
into manual operation.
While in manual operation there are six fan speeds
available and the choice of any mode. The airflow
temperature is adjusted automatically to maintain the
desired comfort level. You can adjust the temperature by
pressing the + or – TEMP rocker switch.
FAN Control
Use this button to regulate the amount of air deliv-
ered through the system in any mode you select.
Press the + or – side of the button to increase or decrease
fan speed.
Air Conditioning Operation
Press this button to turn on the air conditioning
compressor. A snow flake symbol in the displayshows that the compressor is on. Compressor operation is
automatic when you press the AUTO button and no
snowflake is shown.
The compressor may operate at any temperature above
32°F (0°C).
NOTE:The compressor will not engage until the engine
has been running for several seconds. Slight changes in
engine speed or power may be noticed when the com-
pressor cycles. This is a normal occurrence since the
compressor will cycle on and off to maintain comfort and
improve fuel economy.
Recirculate Button
Press this button to recirculate the air inside the
vehicle. Outside air is prevented from entering
the vehicle. Use this mode to temporarily block
out any outside odors, smoke, dust or when
rapid cooling of the interior is required.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 229
4
Page 240 of 440

Tire Safety Information...................264
▫Tire Markings........................264
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........268
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........269
Tires—General Information................273
▫Tire Pressure.........................273
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................274
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................276
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........277
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........278
▫Tire Spinning........................278
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................279
▫Life Of Tire.........................280▫Replacement Tires.....................280
▫Alignment And Balance.................281
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped............................282
Tire Chains...........................282
Snow Tires...........................283
Tire Rotation Recommendations............284
Fuel Requirements......................285
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................286
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............286
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................287
▫Materials Added To Fuel................287
▫Adding Fuel.........................287
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 241 of 440

▫Fuel System Cautions..................289
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............290
Catalytic Converter.....................291
Vehicle Loading........................292
▫Certification Label.....................292
▫Curb Weight.........................294
▫Loading............................294
Trailer Towing.........................296
▫Common Towing Definitions.............296
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............298
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................299▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............299
▫Towing Requirements..................300
▫Towing Tips.........................305
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......307
Snowplow............................307
▫Dodge Durango Models................307
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 308
▫Recreational Towing 2WD Models.........308
▫Recreational Towing 4WD Models.........308
Traction.............................312
Equipment Identification Plate.............313
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5
Page 242 of 440

STARTING PROCEDURES
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Tip Start Feature
Your vehicle has a “Tip Start” starting system. With “Tip
Start” the driver does not need to hold the key in the
’Start’ position until the vehicle starts, but can release the
key (still in the ignition) and the vehicle will continue
through the start cycle.
•Turn the ignition key to the START position, until the
start motor engages.
•Release the key (still in the ignition) and the starter
will continue through the start cycle until the vehicle
starts or for 5 seconds (whichever comes first).
242 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 243 of 440

If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled on fuel injected
engines and will decrease as the engine warms up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5
Page 249 of 440

equipped) is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are
modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed
during steady cruise (for improved fuel economy) and
automatic closed-throttle downshifts to 3rd gear (for
improved braking) will occur during steady braking.
The “TOW/HAUL” light will illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is desired,
the button must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy is included
in all automatic transmissions. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically at a calibrated speed at
light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under heavier
acceleration. This may result in a slightly different feeling
or response during normal operation in high gear. Whenthe vehicle speed drops below a calibrated speed, or
during acceleration, the clutch automatically and
smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in Over-
drive and in Drive.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing theTOW/HAULbutton will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5