2016 DODGE DURANGO Owners Manual

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE while gently pressing the accelerator.
NOTE:Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be
achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less.
Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for
more than two seconds, you must push the brake pedal
to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
Use the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that
will maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine. NOTE:
Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC
Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 623

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.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
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.
624 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake, before activating the Manual Park
Release. Activating the Manual Park Release will
allow your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured by
the parking brake or by proper connection to a tow
vehicle. Activating the Manual Park Release on an
unsecured vehicle could lead to serious injury or
death for those in or around the vehicle.
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the transmis-
sion will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead battery),
a Manual Park Release is available.
Follow these steps to use the Manual Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 625

2. Open the center console and locate the Manual ParkRelease cover, remove it by snapping the cover away
from the console hinges.
3. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, push the metal latch in towards the tether strap. 4. While the metal latch is in the open position, simulta-
neously pull upwards on the tether strap until the
lever clicks and latches in the released position. The
transmission is now out of PARK and the vehicle can
be moved.
Manual Park Release Cover
Release Latch
626 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Closing the armrest while the Manual Park Release is
activated may damage the Manual Park Release
mechanism, the transmission, and/or the armrest.NOTE:
To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintention-
ally, firmly apply the parking brake.
To Disengage the Manual Park Release Lever:
1. To disengage the Manual Park Release apply tension upward while pushing the release latch towards the
tether to unlock the lever.
Released Position
Release Latch
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 627

2. Once the tension has been released and the lever hasbeen unlocked be sure it is stowed properly and locks
into position. NOTE:
Be sure to replace the cover by snapping it back
in place.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing 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.
Stowed Position
628 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground Rear-Wheel Drive Models All-Wheel Drive
Models With
Single-Speed
Transfer Case All-Wheel Drive Models
With Two-Speed Transfer Case
Flat Tow NONE If Transmission Is
Operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
speed
• 30 miles (48 km) max
distance
NOT ALLOWED See Instructions:
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N)
•
Tow in forward direction6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 629

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground Rear-Wheel Drive Models All-Wheel Drive
Models With
Single-Speed
Transfer Case All-Wheel Drive Models
With Two-Speed Transfer Case
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
If Transmission Is
Operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
speed
• 30 miles (48 km) max
distance
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD OKBEST 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.
630 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES