2011 DODGE DURANGO trailer

▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) –
If Equipped ........................ 351
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 355
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 358
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 358
▫ When To Use Low Range – If Equipped .... 358
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 358
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 360
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 360
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 361
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 361
 Power Steering ....................... 362
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 362 ▫
5.7L Engine ........................ 363
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 364
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only .......... 365
 Parking Brake ........................ 365
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 368
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 368
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 368
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 369
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 370
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 370
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 373
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 374
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 421
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 422
▫ Certification Label ................... 422
 Trailer Towing ........................ 424
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 424
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 429
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 430
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 431
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 432
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 437 
Snow Plow .......................... 438
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 439
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 439
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Single-Speed Transfer Case) ....... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Two-Speed Transfer Case) ........ 441
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transmission will downshift to fourth gear and the dis-
play will show 4. Another tap to the left (-) will shift the
transmission into third gear.
5.7L Engine
On vehicles equipped with the 5.7L engine, use of ERS (or
TOW/HAUL mode) also enables an additional under-
drive gear which is not normally used during through-
gear accelerations. This additional gear improves vehicle
performance and cooling capability when towing a trailer
on certain grades. ERS 1, 2, and 3 are underdrive gears;
ERS 4 is direct drive. ERS 5 (Overdrive) is the same as the
normal 4th gear. When in the DRIVE position in first
through fourth gear, the first tap to the left (-) will display
the ERS designation for the current gear (the transmis-
sion will not downshift). For example, if you are in
DRIVE and are in third (direct) gear, when you tap the
shift lever one time to the left (-), the display will show 4
(ERS 4 is direct gear). Another tap to the left (-) will shift
the transmission down to ERS 3 (the added underdrivegear). When in the DRIVE position in fifth gear, the first
tap to the left (-) will downshift the transmission and
display 5 (ERS 5 is the same as normal fourth gear).
Another tap to the left (-) will shift the transmission
down to ERS 4 (direct gear).
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display
12345*D
Actual Gear(s) Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-5
* Applies to vehicles equipped with 5.7L engines only.
NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), move the shift lever to the
left “D(-)” and hold it there. The transmission will shift to
the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive, to the
most desirable gear, if the accelerator pedal is fully
pressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph
(56 km/h).
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode – If Equipped
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in TOW/HAUL mode, the transmission will
shift into direct gear and Overdrive will be enabled
under steady cruise conditions.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 switch must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
TOW/HAUL Switch
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake
Assist System (BAS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM),
and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All five of these
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.
Also, your vehicle is equipped with Trailer Sway Control
(TSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Brake Lock Differential
(BLD), Ready Alert Braking, and Rain Brake Support.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capa-
bilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
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, Brake Limited
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 “ESC OFF” switch. Once the
situation requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial
Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momen-
tarily pressing the “ESC OFF” switch. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
AWD Low Range (LOW)
Partial Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in AWD LOW
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in AWD LOW
range, or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
AWD AUTO range or NEUTRAL to AWD LOW range,
the ESC system will be in the “Partial Off” mode.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC
Malfunction Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power
may be reduced and you may feel the brakes being
applied to individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer
from swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in
the “Partial Off” mode.
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WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to the
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped.
•Vehicle must be on a 6% (approximate) grade or
greater hill.
•Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
HSA will work in REVERSE and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL or PARK.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer,
when the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur. This could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the hill while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer brake prior to releas-
ing the brake pedal. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.(Continued)
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