2011 DODGE DURANGO spare tire

Towing Requirements – Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for proper
inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Do
not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically-actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically-
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge-actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg), and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
434 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 448
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 448
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 449
▫ Jack Location ....................... 450
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 451
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 452
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 455
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 455 
Jump-Starting ........................ 463
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 464
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 465
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 467
 Shift Lever Override ................... 468
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 469
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key FOB ..... 471
▫ Rear-Wheel Drive Models .............. 471
▫ All-Wheel Drive Vehicles ............... 472
6

Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed under the rear of the vehicle by
means of a cable winch mechanism. To remove or stow
the spare, use the jack handle/lug wrench connected to
the square socket extension to rotate the “spare tiredrive” nut. The nut is located under a plastic cover at the
center-rear of the cargo floor area, just inside the liftgate
opening.
Thumb Screw Location
Spare Tire Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 451

CAUTION!
Do not use power tools to winch the tire up or down.
Impact type tools can damage the winch mechanism.
Spare Tire Removal
1. Remove the jack tools from the bag.
2. Raise the rubber mat and remove the plug from
storage compartment floor.
3. Fit the jack handle extension over the drive nut. Use
the lug wrench handle and extension to completely lower
the spare tire. Keep turning the handle until the winch
stops.
Lowering/Raising Spare Tire
452 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Slide the tire out from under the vehicle and rotate it
vertically behind the rear bumper.5. Spread the retaining tabs on the plastic plate and pull
the metal stamping toward you to release it from the
plastic plate.
Spare Tire
Tab Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 453

WARNING! (Continued)
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set the automatic
transmission in PARK.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
WARNING! (Continued)
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
Jack Warning Label
456 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise.
Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
7. Install the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install
the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel.
Lightly tighten the nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not fully tighten the wheel nuts until the vehicle
has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury.
Rear Jacking Location6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 459

12. Slide the road wheel on the ground using the protec-
tive plate until it is directly under the winch and between
the rear bumper and exhaust system heat shields. Raise
the tire by turn the lug wrench on the winch extension
clockwise until it clicks/ratchets three times to make sure
the cable is tight.NOTE:
Double check to ensure the tire is snug against
the underbody of the vehicle. Damage to the winch cable
may result if the vehicle is driven with the tire loose.
Installing WinchRoad Wheel Installed In Spare Location6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 461