2012 DODGE DURANGO air conditioner

25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
308 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
switch bank just above the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 551

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
552 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 3.6L ............. 581
 Engine Compartment — 5.7L ............. 582
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 583
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 583
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 584
 Replacement Parts ..................... 585
 Dealer Service ........................ 586
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 586
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 587 ▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... 590
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 590
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 591
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 593
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 595
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 596
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 598
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 599
▫ Cooling System ..................... 601
7

Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt condition should also be checked at this
time.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air conditioning
system as the chemicals can damage your air condi-
tioning components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Warranty Information Book, located on the DVD,
for further warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, and Refrigerants.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 593

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control). . 208
Adding Fuel ........................... 519
Additives, Fuel ......................... 514
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 590
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 593
Air Conditioning Filter .................... 594
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 594
Air Conditioning System .................. 408
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 416
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone ................ 414
Air Filter .............................. 590
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 489
Airbag .............................. 67,76
Airbag Deployment ....................... 77
Airbag Light ................... 74,75,80,99,305
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 79
Airbag, Side ...................... 70,73,75,76
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........71,73,76
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................20,305Alarm, Panic
............................ 26
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 450
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 9
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 361
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 468
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 302
Anti-Theft System ....................... 305
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 632
Appearance Care ........................ 614
Assist, Hill Start ........................ 474
Assistance Towing ....................... 137
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 43
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 110
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 36
Automatic Headlights .................... 189
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 408
Automatic Transmission .............432,440,611
Adding Fluid ....................... 613
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 611
664 INDEX