2006 DODGE DURANGO 4WD

deep snow, sand, or gravel turn the system Off to
improve traction. If the vehicle is 4WD, use 4HI position.
When the ESP is switched off, the ESP/TCS
Indicator light in the instrument cluster comes
on. When the ESP is switched on, the Indicator
light goes out.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or gravel,
switch off the ESP by pressing the button switch. The ESP
warning light will then be continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is desensitized. Therefore, the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired.
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
ON
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD high
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD low range or neutral back to 4WD high range, the
ESP system will be in this mode. This mode should be
used for most all driving situations. ESP should only be
turned to “Partial Off” for specific reasons as noted
below.
This mode is entered by momentarily
depressing the “ESP OFF” Control
Switch. When in “Partial Off” mode,
the engine management portion of
ESP has been desensitized, the thresh-
olds for ESP activation are raised, and
the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will be
illuminated. This mode is intended tobe used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the “ESP-Control OFF” Con-
trol Switch. This will restore the normal “ON” mode of
operation. ESP always operates under braking, even with
the switch in the OFF-position.
WARNING!
In the Partial Off mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are desensitized. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP Control Switch. Once the
Partial Off
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

situation requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESP on by momentarily depress-
ing the “ESP Control Switch”. This may be done with the
vehicle is in motion.
4WD Low Range
Partial Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD low
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD low range
or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD
high range or neutral to 4WD low range, the ESP system
will be in this mode. In 4WD low range, ESP function is
desensitized until the vehicle reaches a speed of 30 mph
(48 km/h). At 30 mph (48 km/h) the normal ESP stability
function returns and the ESP/TCS Indicator Light” turns
off. When the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40
km/h) the ESP system goes back to Partial Off. ESP is
desensitized at low vehicle speeds in 4WD low range so
that it will not interfere with off road driving but ESPfunction returns to provide the stability feature at speeds
above 30 mph (48 km/h). The ABS is in a special
Off-Road mode that allows too look wheels at lower
speed if gravel is detected to gain stopping distance.
NOTE:When the vehicle is in 4WD low range, a feature
of the ESP system remains active whether the ESP is on or
off. This feature functions similar to a limited slip differ-
ential and controls the wheel spin across an axle. If one
wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel and
allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that
is not spinning.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
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27. Airbag Indicator
The indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. If
the light does not come on when the ignition is
first turned on, or the light stays on or comes
on while driving, have the airbag system checked by an
authorized dealer.
28. 4LO Indicator
Indicates when transfer case is in 4LO position.
29. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD lights will come on when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and will stay on for 2
seconds. If the light stays on or comes on during driving,
it means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required.
30. Cruise Light (Speed Control)
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.31. TOW/HAUL
The TOW/HAUL button is located at the end of the gear
shift lever. This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected.
32. 4LOCK Indicator
Indicates transfer case is in 4LOCK position.
33. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading.
RADIO RECEPTION INFORMATION
AM Reception
AM radio signals usually travel longer distances than FM
signals, especially at night. These longer distance AM
signals can cause AM stations to interfere with one
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 191
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▫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
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cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
NV 144 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV 144 is an electric shift transfer case and is
operated by the Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD) Control
Switch, which is located on the instrument panel.
The NV 144 transfer case provides 2 mode positions:
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and 4-Wheel-Drive LOCK.
The NV 144 transfer case is designed to be driven in for
AWD for normal street and highway conditions (all road
surfaces roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4LOCK position can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheelsto rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the 4LOCK position
- see Shifting Procedure section for specific shifting
instructions. The 4LOCK position is designed for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4LOCK posi-
tion on dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire
wear and damage to the driveline components.Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster, and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. If there are no indicator lights on
or flashing the transfer case position is All-Wheel Drive
(AWD).
The “SVC 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if theService 4WDlight is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV 144 transfer case
is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the
front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift
to take place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels
are spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Proper operation of four-wheel-drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.Because four-wheel-drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
AW D
Normal All-Wheel-Drive High Range - Employs inter-
axle differential. Allows front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. All road surfaces.
4LOCK
Four-Wheel-Drive LOCK - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
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If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions
The NV 244 Generation II is an electric shift transfer case
and is operated by the 4WD Control Switch, which is
located on the instrument panel.
The NV 244 Generation II transfer case provides 4 mode
positions - Normal all-wheel-drive high range, four-
wheel-drive LOCK, four-wheel-drive low range, and
neutral.
This transfer case is equipped with an inter-axle differ-
ential that allows driving the vehicle in the normal
all-wheel-drive position (AWD) at all times on any given
road surface, including dry hard surfaced roads. The
AWD mode allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. This eliminates driveline binding and
component wear normally associated with driving thevehicle in the 4LOCK position on dry hard surfaced
roads. This feature provides the safety, security, and
convenience of operating in all-wheel drive at all times
regardless of road conditions.
When additional traction is required, the 4LOCK and
4LO positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together through the transfer case inter-axle
differential and force the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed. This is accomplished by rotating the
4WD Control Switch to these positions. The 4LOCK and
4LO positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4LOCK and 4LO positions
on dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear
and damage to the driveline components.
The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
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