2009 DODGE DURANGO ECO mode

Bi-Level
Air flows through the outlets located in the instru-
ment panel and those located on the floor.
NOTE:There is a difference in temperature between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Defrost
Outside air is directed to the windshield through
the defroster outlet located at the base of the
windshield and side window demist outlets.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes, even if
the A/C snowflake button has not been pressed. This
dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield.
Rear Temperature Control (ATC)
The REAR button cycles through the following modes:
Rear Control From Front
This allows the driver or passenger to control the rear
blower speeds rotating the Power/Fan knob and the rear
temperature using the PASS/REAR Temp +/- rocker
switch. While in this mode, pressing the POWER/FAN
knob will turn the rear system off. Pressing the Power/
Fan knob will turn the rear system back on.
NOTE:The display will show aREARfan speed graph
and aREARdigital temp setting.
CONTROL IN REAR
This allows the passengers in the second row seats to
control the blower speed and temperature by means of
the rear control located in the rear of the center floor
console as described under theRear Zone Climate
Control.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 277
4

NOTE:The front display will show “CONTROL IN
REAR.”
REAR OFF
This turns the rear system off. The control will return to
the front system display after approximately five seconds
if no buttons are pushed while in one of the rear system
displays. You may also return to the front system display
sooner by pushing any button except the Power/Fan
knob, the REAR button, or the driver/passenger Temp
rocker buttons.
NOTE:The display will show “REAR OFF.”
REAR AUTO
This mode places the rear system in automatic tempera-
ture control. Rear temperature can be set as desired (72°F
[22°C] recommended for average person) and will be
displayed digitally on the front control when in rear
mode.
Rear Window Defrosting and Rear Window
Washer/Wiper
Refer to “Rear Window Features” in section 3.
Rear Zone Climate Control — If Equipped
Rear Outlets
278 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Headliner air comes from the outlets in the headliner.
Each of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. Moving the air vane knobs on the
outlets to one side will shut off the airflow.
The rear compartment control uses two rotary knobs: one
for the temperature control and the other for the fan
speed control. The mode for the rear air conditioning andheating system is always controlled by the front control
unit. Fan and temperature can be controlled from the
front control unit or the rear control unit.
Rear Rotary Blower Control
The second row seat occupants have control of the rear
blower speed only when the front control unit is in the
“REAR CONTROL” position or “CONTROL IN REAR
for ATC.
The rear blower switch has an OFF position and a range
of blower speeds. Rotating the rear blower control clock-
wise will increase the blower speed.
Rear Rotary Temperature Control
The second row seat occupants have control of the rear
temperature only when the front control unit is in the
REAR CONTROLposition.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 279
4

REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift to NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with the shift lever in NEUTRAL can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in Section 5 and “Towing a Disabled Vehicle” in
Section 6 of this manual.
DRIVE
For most city and highway driving.2 (Second)
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use
it also when climbing long grades, and for engine brak-
ing when descending moderately steep grades. To pre-
vent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 45 mph
(72 km/h) in this range.
1 (First)
For driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at
low speeds (25 mph {40 km/h} or less) when going
downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in TOW/HAUL 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 “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument 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.
TOW/HAUL Button
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light starts 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
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system activates. If the ESP/
TCS Indicator Light begins 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.
WARNING!
•ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 two 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
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
In the “Partial Off” mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are desensitized. There-
fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize a swaying
trailer and will take the appropriate actions to attempt to
stop the sway. The system will reduce engine power and
apply individual brakes that will counter act the sway of
the trailer. TSC will become active automatically once the
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Al-
ways use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
tongue weight recommendations. For additional infor-
mation on towing a trailer with your vehicle, refer to
Trailer Towingin Section 5.
ESP/BAS Warning Light and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator for the ESP is combined with
the BAS indicator. The yellow ESP/BAS Warning Light
and the yellow ESP/TCS Indicator Light in the instru-
ment cluster both come on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position. They should both go out with
the engine running. If the ESP/BAS Warning Light comes
on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either the ESP or BAS system, or
both. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles,
and the vehicle has been driven several miles at speeds
greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed
and corrected.
NOTE:
•The ESP Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Warning
Light come on momentarily each time the ignition
switch is turned ON.
STARTING AND OPERATING 319
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Towing Tips — Cooling System
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.
refer to “Cooling System Operating” under “Mainte-
nance Procedures” in Section 7.
SNOWPLOW
Snow plows, winches, and other aftermarket equipment
shouldnotbe added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in thefront end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpect-
edly or could fail to deploy during a collision.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
2WD Models
Recreational towing of 2WD models is not allowable.
Towing the vehicle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
can cause severe transmission damage. Removal of the
driveshaft for towing is not recommended since this
allows transmission fluid to leak out.
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