2008 DODGE DURANGO heating

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improveperformance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, 5th gear (if
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 ªTOW/HAULº 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 ªTOW/HAULº 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
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þrefer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
SNOWPLOW
NOTE:Do not use this vehicle for snowplow applica-
tions.
WARNING!
Snowplows, winches, and other aftermarket equip-
ment should not be added to the front end or your
vehicle. The airbag crash sensors may be affected by
the change in the front end structure. The airbags
could deploy unexpectedly or could fail to deploy
during a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
STARTING AND OPERATING 359
5

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between FIRST and REVERSE,
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission selector in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles.
This will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS Ð IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 377
6

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 exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything 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:²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do 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
The top of the maintenance free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

Cavity Mini Fuse/Color Description
F10 10 Amp Red Spare
F11 10 Amp Red Heated Mirrors
F12 20 Amp YellowCluster Battery
Feed
F13 10 Amp RedIgnition Run
HVAC Module/
Heated Rear
Glass (EBL) Re-
lay
F14 10 Amp RedABS Module Ig-
nition Run
F15 15 Amp BlueBattery Feed
Blue Tooth,
Compass/Trip
Computer
(CMTC), Sentry
Key DiagnosticsCavity Mini Fuse/Color Description
F16 20 Amp YellowReconfigurable
Power Outlets
F17 20 Amp YellowIgnition Run /
Rear Park Assist
/ Second Row
Heated Seats
F18 20 Amp YellowCigar Lighter
Ignition
F19 10 Amp Red Spare Fuse
F20 15 Amp BlueHeating & Air
Conditioning
w/ATC Only
Battery Feed
F21 25 Amp NaturalAmplifier Bat-
tery Feed
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423
7

Oil Change Indicator, Reset................. 197
Oil, Engine.........................391,440
Capacity............................ 439
Change Interval....................... 392
Dipstick............................. 391
Disposal............................ 394
Filter............................394,440
Filter Disposal........................ 394
Identification Logo..................... 393
Materials Added to..................... 394
Recommendation...................393,439
Synthetic............................ 394
Viscosity..........................393,439
Onboard Diagnostic System..............387,388
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLinkt) ........... 168
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 84
Overdrive..........................196,279
Overdrive OFF Switch.................... 279
Overhead Console....................158,159Overheating, Engine...................... 194
Owner's Manual (Operator Manual).......... 457
Panic Alarm............................ 24
Park Sense System, Rear................... 152
Parking Brake.......................... 290
Parking On Hill......................... 290
Passing Light........................... 143
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 148
Personal Settings........................ 162
Pets.................................. 74
Pets, Transporting........................ 74
Phone, Cellular....................87,236,237
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnectŸ)........87,236,237
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 309
Port
Universal Serial Bus (USB).............206,236
USB .............................206,236
Positive Crankcase Valve.................. 409
INDEX 473
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