2007 DODGE DURANGO traction control

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightstarts to flash as
soon as the tires lose traction and the TCS or
ESP system becomes active. It will also flash
once a swaying trailer is detected and the TSC
(Trailer Sway Control) system activates. If theESP/TCS
Indicator Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

WARNING!
•ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded.
•ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESP-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 2 available operating modes.
4WD/4WD LOCK or 2WD Models
ON
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD LOCK
and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is started or
the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOW
or neutral back to 4WD LOCK, 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 to
be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
Partial Off
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. TSC (Trailer
Sway Control) is not available when the system is in the
Partial Offmode. To turn ESP on again, momentarily
depress the “ESP-Control OFF” Control 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
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.
Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW or the
transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOCK or
neutral to 4WD LOW, the ESP system will be in this
mode. In 4WD LOW, 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 so that it will not interfere
STARTING AND OPERATING 281
5

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
454 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Traction Control....................... 279
Turn Signal........................135,409
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 185
Loading Vehicle......................... 320
Tires ............................... 289
Locks................................. 27
Automatic Door........................ 28
Child Protection........................ 30
Door................................ 27
Ignition.............................. 13
Keys................................ 12
Power Door........................... 28
Steering Wheel......................... 13
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 65
Lubricating Oil......................... 392
Lubrication, Body....................... 378
Lug Nuts............................. 350
Luggage Carrier......................... 175Lumbar Support........................ 110
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 374
Maintenance Procedures................... 366
Maintenance Schedule.................... 422
Schedule “A”......................... 440
Schedule “B”......................... 425
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 192,364
Manual, Service......................... 452
Manual Transmission
Lubricant Selection..................... 419
Map/Reading Lights..................... 151
Memory Seat........................... 124
Mirrors ................................ 79
Automatic Dimming................... 80,83
Electric Powered....................... 81
Heated.............................. 83
Memory............................. 124
Outside.............................. 81
INDEX 467
10

Tire Safety Information.................... 284
Tires ............................ 73,293,454
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 300
Air Pressure.......................... 293
Alignment........................... 302
Chains.............................. 303
Changing............................ 346
Compact Spare........................ 297
General Information.................... 293
High Speed.......................... 296
Inflation Pressures..................... 294
Jacking............................. 347
LifeofTires .......................... 300
Load Capacity.....................289,290
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 306
Pressure Warning Light.................. 193
Quality Grading....................... 454
Radial.............................. 297
Replacement......................... 301Rotation............................. 305
Safety...........................284,293
Sizes ............................... 286
Snow Tires........................... 304
Spare Tire........................... 346
Spinning ............................ 299
Tread Wear Indicators................... 300
Wheel Mounting....................... 347
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 350
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 329
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 258
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 355
Towing ............................... 323
Disabled Vehicle....................... 356
Guide .............................. 329
Recreational.......................... 337
Weight .............................. 329
Traction .............................. 268
Traction Control......................190,277
INDEX 473
10