2013 DODGE DURANGO towing

CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive Models
(Two-Speed Transfer Case)
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and
the transmission must be in PARK for recreational tow-
ing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to the
transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the
selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Inter-
nal damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
recreational towing.
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL
(N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 565

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Failure to follow these procedures can cause severe
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)
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.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
566 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 the engine OFF.
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 “Installing And
Removing The ENGINE START/STOP Button/
Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Starting and Operating”
for how to remove the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button. 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 567

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ...........574
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............574
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ..........576
▫ Jack Location ....................... .576
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ....................577
▫ Spare Tire Removal ....................578
▫ Preparations For Jacking ................581
▫ Jacking Instructions ...................582
▫ Road Tire Installation ...................590 
JUMP-STARTING ...................... .590
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............591
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ................593
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............594
 EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . .596
 SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................597
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........598
▫ Without The Key Fob ...................600
▫ Rear-Wheel Drive Models ................600
▫ All-Wheel Drive Models .................601
6

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be
one in the rear and two mounted on the front of the
vehicle. The rear hook will be located on the driver’s side
of the vehicle.NOTE:
For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, caus-
ing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
596 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
6. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the accesshole, and push and hold the override release lever
down.
7. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
8. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
9. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover and cupholder liner.TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
598 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
the Ground RWD MODELS AWD MODELS
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdis-
tance
See instructions in “Recreational Tow- ing” under “Starting and Operating”
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 599

If the vehicle’s key fob is unavailable or battery is
discharged refer to “Shift Lever Override” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Without The Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only
approved method of towing without the key fob is with
a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Rear-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL. Speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) and the
distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 mi (24 km) with rear wheels on the ground can
cause severe engine or transmission damage. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
600 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES