2009 DODGE DURANGO wheel torque

Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
“Partial Off” mode. Refer to “ESP (Electronic Stability
Program)” in this Section. This brake pressure modula-
tion transfers drive torque from slipping to non-slipping
wheels to provide optimal forward traction.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. The system
applies optimum pressure to the brakes in emergency
braking conditions. This can help reduce braking dis-
tances. The BAS complements the ABS. Applying the
brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To
receive the benefit of the system, you must apply con-
tinuous braking pressure during the stopping sequence.
Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no
longer desired.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 313
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in this mode. This mode should be used for almost all
driving situations. ESP should only be turned to “Partial
Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the ESP
OFF switch. When in “Partial Off” mode, the enginemanagement portion of ESP has been desensitized, the
thresholds 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 conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would
normally allow is required to gain traction. Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) is not available when the system is in the
Partial Offmode. To turn ESP on again, momentarily
depress the ESP OFF 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 reduc-
tion and stability features are desensitized. There-
fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
ESP OFF Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5

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 OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP on by momentarily depressing the
ESP OFF switch. This may be done with the vehicle 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. Whenthe 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 with off road driving but ESP function 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 wheels to lock at lower speeds if gravel is detected
to shorten stopping distances.
NOTE:When the vehicle is in 4WD LOW, 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.
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 135 ± 10 ft lbs
(183 ± 14 N·m) dynamic torque. If in doubt about thecorrect tightness, have them checked with a torque
wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Al-
ways stow the jack, tools and the extra tire and wheel
in the places provided.
7. Remove wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or alu-
minum wheel center caps on the spare wheel. This may
result in cap damage.
8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the
replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Theft System Arming...................... 18
Theft System Disarming.................... 19
Tilt Steering Column..................... 153
Tire and Loading Information Placard......325,337
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 324
Tire Markings.......................... 320
Tire Safety Information.................... 320
Tires ............................74,329,470
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 335
Air Pressure.......................... 329
Chains.............................. 337
Changing............................ 379
Compact Spare........................ 332
General Information.................... 329
High Speed.......................... 331
Inflation Pressures..................... 330
Jacking............................. 381
Life of Tires.......................... 335
Load Capacity........................ 325Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 340
Pressure Warning Light.................. 212
Quality Grading....................... 470
Radial.............................. 332
Replacement......................... 336
Rotation............................ 339
Safety...........................320,329
Sizes............................... 322
Snow Tires........................... 339
Spare Tire........................... 380
Spinning............................ 334
Tread Wear Indicators................... 334
Wheel Mounting...................... 381
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 386
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 364
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 297
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 391
Towing............................... 360
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 101
INDEX 489
10

Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 470
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 255
Universal Transmitter..................... 175
Vanity Mirrors........................... 86
Variance, Compass....................... 174
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 7
Vehicle Information Center................. 167
Vehicle Loading......................325,358
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 8
Vehicle Storage......................... 434
Video Entertainment System™
(Rear Seat Video System).................. 266
Voice Recognition System (VR).............. 115
Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description)............. 203
Warning, Roll Over........................ 4
Warnings and Cautions..................... 7Warranty Information..................... 468
Washer, Adding Fluid...............395,396,397
Washers, Windshield..................... 152
Washing Vehicle......................... 421
Water
Driving Through...................... 304
Weight Load Carrying.................... 358
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 423
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care................ 423
Wheel Changing........................ 379
Wheel Mounting........................ 381
Wheel Nut Torque....................... 386
Wind Buffeting......................... 183
Window Fogging........................ 281
Windows.............................. 33
Power............................... 33
Windshield Defroster................74,271,276
Windshield Washers................151,152,407
Fluid....................151,395,396,397,407
INDEX 491
10