2009 DODGE DURANGO instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................77
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 197
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 285
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................377
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 393
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 447
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................463
10INDEX....................................................................473
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual containsWARNINGSagainst op-
erating procedures that could result in an accident or
bodily injury. It also containsCAUTIONSagainst proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on the
left front corner of the instrument panel, visible through
the windshield. This number also appears on the Auto-
mobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a window
on your vehicle, the vehicle registration and title.
NOTE:It is illegal to remove the VIN.
VIN Location
INTRODUCTION 7
1

Vehicle Security Alarm is arming. The Vehicle Security
Light in the instrument panel cluster will flash rapidly for
about 15 seconds to indicate that the alarm is being set.
After the alarm is set, the Vehicle Security Light will flash
at a slower rate to indicate that the Vehicle Security
Alarm is armed.
NOTE:If the Vehicle Security Light stays on continu-
ously during vehicle operation, have the Vehicle Security
Alarm checked by your authorized dealer.
To Disarm the System
Use the RKE transmitter to unlock the doors. If some-
thing has triggered the Vehicle Security Alarm in your
absence, the horn will sound three times when you
unlock the doors. Check the vehicle for tampering.
The Vehicle Security Alarm will also disarm if the vehicle
is started with a programmed Sentry Key. If an unpro-
grammed Sentry Keyis used to start a vehicle, the
engine will start and run for two seconds and then shutdown. After six unsuccessful attempts at starting the
engine, the Vehicle Security Alarm will shut down until
the correct key is used. To exit alarming mode, press the
RKE transmitter UNLOCK button or start the vehicle
with a programmed Sentry Key.
The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
Vehicle Security Alarm will arm unexpectedly. If you
remain in the vehicle and lock the doors with the
transmitter, the alarm will sound when you pull the door
handle to exit.
NOTE:You may accidentally activate the Vehicle Secu-
rity Alarm (horn sounds and lights flash) by entering the
vehicle without using the RKE transmitter to unlock the
door(s). The Vehicle Security Alarm can be disarmed with
the RKE transmitters unlock button or by inserting a
programmed Sentry Keyinto the ignition and turning
the key to the ON position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
2

steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag is mounted
in the instrument panel, above the glove compartment.
The words SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag
covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
This vehicle is also equipped with window bags to
protect the driver, front, and rear passengers sitting next
to a window. The window bags are located above the side
windows. Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open to allow airbag deployments.WARNING!
•Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags are no longer functional.
These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are inflat-
ing.
•Your vehicle is equipped with window bags. Do
not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to
block the location of the window bag. The area
where the window bag is located should remain
free from any obstructions.
(Continued)
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not have any accessory items installed which
will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for instal-
lation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof
of the vehicle for any reason.
NOTE:Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat
hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the
proper performance of the window bags.
Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Window
bags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions.
The window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is
triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. Window
bags will also deploy on rollover events. But even in
collisions where the airbags work, you need the seat belts
to keep you in the correct position for the airbags to
protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can follow to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
Infants in rear-facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should use their lap and shoulder belts
properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbag room to inflate.
4. If your vehicle has window bags, do not lean against
the door or window. Airbags will inflate forcefully into
the space between you and the door.
5. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Refer toIf You Need Customer Assis-
tancein Section 9.WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has window bags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller
•Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Window Bags above Side Windows
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will
detect a roll over when equipped with side airbags.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, and knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not “on” and will not inflate.
During a moderate-to-severe rear impact the ORC may
deploy the seat belt pretensioners alone.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

•Also, the ORC turns on the Airbag Warning
Light in the instrument cluster for six to
eight seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the Airbag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Airbag Warning Light either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity. The steer-
ing wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of
the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way
as the airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags fully
inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds. This is about half
of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger. The driver’s front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. The
passenger’s front airbag gas is vented through vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags
do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE