2012 DODGE DURANGO Owners Manual

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Failure to follow these procedures can cause se-
vere transmission and/or transfer case damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing:
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the
transmission into PARK.
2. Turn OFF the engine.
3. For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go, remove the
Keyless Enter-N-Go button and use the key fob to
complete this procedure. Refer to “Starting Procedures/
Keyless Enter-N-Go” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
button (located by the selector switch) for four seconds,
until the light behind the N symbol starts to blink,
indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blinking
(stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
544 STARTING AND OPERATING

8. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N)
light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
9. Start the engine.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
12. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with transmission in DRIVE.
13. Turn OFF the engine.
14. Firmly apply the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N), ensure that the en-
gine is OFF prior to shifting the transmission into
PARK.
16. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
NEUTRAL Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 545

17. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
18. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 6 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met prior to
pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no longer
met during the shift, the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements are met
or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) indicator light indicates that
shift requirements have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con-
nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
button (located by the selector switch) for one second.
546 STARTING AND OPERATING

7. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns off,
release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
8. After the NEUTRAL (N) button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid
gear clash.
9. Shift transmission into PARK.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brake
pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
16. The Keyless Enter-N-Go button (if equipped) may
now be reinstalled if desired. Refer to “Starting
Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-Go” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information.
NEUTRAL Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547

NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
button and must continue to be met until the shift has
been completed. If any of these requirements are not
met prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button, or are
no longer met during the shift, the NEUTRAL (N)
indicator light will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is
released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a transfer case shift to take place and for the
position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition
switch is not in the ON/RUN position, the shift will
not take place and no position indicator lights will be
on or flashing.
•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
548 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 551
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 551
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 552
▫ Jack Location ....................... 553
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 554
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 555
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 558
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 559 ▫
Road Tire Installation ................. 566
 Jump-Starting ........................ 567
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 568
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 569
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 571
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 573
 Shift Lever Override ................... 573
6

Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 574
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob ..... 576▫
Rear-Wheel Drive Models .............. 576
▫ All-Wheel Drive Models ............... 577
550 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES