2012 DODGE DURANGO Owners Manual

Rear Blower Control
The primary control for the rear blower is on the front
climate control unit, located on the instrument panel.Only when the Rear Control Icon is illuminated do the
second row seat occupants have control of the rear
blower speed.
The rear blower control, located in the rear overhead
console, has an off position and a range of blower speeds.
This allows the second row seat occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Rear Manual Climate Control
system through an intake grille, located in the right
side trim panel behind the third row seats. The
heater outlets are located in the right side trim panel,
just behind the sliding door. Do not block or place
objects directly in front of the inlet grille or heater
outlets. The electrical system could overload, causing
damage to the blower motor.
Rear Manual Climate Controls
1 – Rear Blower
3 – Rear Temperature
2 – Rear Climate Control Icon
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 415

Rear Temperature Control
Only when the Rear Control Icon is illuminated do the
second row seat occupants have control of the rear mode
control knob.
To change the temperature in the rear of the vehicle,
rotate the temperature control knob counterclockwise for
cold air, and clockwise for heated air.
Rear Mode Control
Headliner ModeAir comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vanes of the outlets to one
side will shut off the airflow.
Bi-Level Mode Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets. NOTE:
In many temperature positions, the BI-LEVEL
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode Air comes from the floor outlets.
Operating Tips
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases,
turning the air conditioning (pressing the A/C button) on
will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control, air
direction, and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder, it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
416 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
DEFROST mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
NOTE:In some cases during high temperature trailer
tow operation the Air Conditioning system performance
may be reduced. This is to help protect the engine from
overheating during the high load condition.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other
obstructions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 417

Operating Tips Chart
418 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 424
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 424
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 425
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 426
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 428
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 428
▫ After Starting ....................... 429
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 429
Automatic Transmission ................. 430
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 432
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 432
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission
(3.6L Engine) — If Equipped ............ 432
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 433
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
(5.7L Engine) — If Equipped ............ 440
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 441
5

All-Wheel Drive Operation ............... 450
▫ Single-Speed Operating Instructions/
Precautions (3.6L Engine) – If Equipped .... 450
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) – If
Equipped .......................... 450
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 454
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 457
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 457
▫ When To Use Low Range – If Equipped .... 457
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 457
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 459
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 459
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 460 ▫
After Driving Off-Road ................ 460
 Power Steering ....................... 461
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 461
▫ 5.7L Engine ........................ 463
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 464
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only .......... 465
 Parking Brake ........................ 465
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 467
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 468
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 468
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 469
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 470
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 470
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 474
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 474
▫ Ready Alert Braking .................. 477
▫ Rain Brake Support ................... 477
▫ ESC Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC
Off Indicator Light ................... 477
 Tire Safety Information ................. 478
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 478
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 482
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 483
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 484
Tires — General Information ............. 488
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 488
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 489
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 491
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 491
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 491
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 492
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 493
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 493
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 494
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 494
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 495
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 421

▫Replacement Tires .................... 496
 Tire Chains (Traction Devices) ............. 497
 Snow Tires .......................... 498
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 499
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 500
▫ Base System ........................ 503
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 505
▫ General Information .................. 510
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 511
▫ 3.6L Engine – If Equipped .............. 511
▫ 5.7L Engine – If Equipped .............. 511
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 512
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 512▫
E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 512
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 513
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 514
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 514
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 515
 Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 515
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 515
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 517
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 517
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 518
▫ Starting ........................... 518
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 518
422 STARTING AND OPERATING