2020 DODGE DURANGO traction control

STARTING AND OPERATING199
SPORT MODE — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle is equipped with a Sport Mode
feature. This mode is a configuration set up for
typical enthusiast driving. The engine,
transmission, and steering systems are all set
to their SPORT settings. Sport Mode will provide
improved throttle response and modified
transmission shift points for an enhanced
driving experience, as well as greater amount of
steering feel. This mode may be activated and
deactivated by pushing the Sport button on the
instrument panel switch bank.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
SINGLE-SPEED OPERATING
I
NSTRUCTIONS/PRECAUTIONS— IF
E
QUIPPED
This system contains a single-speed (HI range
only) transfer case, which provides convenient
full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD). No driver
interaction is required. The Brake Traction
Control (BTC) System, which combines standard
ABS and Traction Control, provides resistance
to any wheel that is slipping to allow additional
torque transfer to wheels with traction. NOTE:
This system is not appropriate for conditions
where LOW range is recommended. Refer to
“Driving Tips” in this chapter for further informa-
tion.
ELECTRONICALLY SHIFTED TRANSFER
C
ASE (THREE-POSITION SWITCH) — IF
E
QUIPPED
This is an electronically shifted transfer case
and it is operated by the AWD Control Switch,
which is located on the center console.

AWD Control Switch (Three-Position)
This electronically shifted transfer case
provides three mode positions:
All-wheel drive automatic range (AWD AUTO)
All-wheel drive low range (LOW RANGE)
Neutral (NEUTRAL)
This electronically shifted transfer case is
designed to be driven in the AWD AUTO position
for normal street and highway conditions on dry
hard surfaced roads.
For variable driving conditions, the AWD AUTO
mode can be used. In this mode, the front axle
is engaged, but the vehicle's power is sent to
the rear wheels. All-wheel drive will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses
a loss of traction.
When additional traction is required, the
transfer case LOW RANGE position can be used
to lock the front and rear driveshafts together
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. This is accomplished by rotating
the AWD Control Switch to the desired position.
Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for specific
shifting instructions.
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200STARTING AND OPERATING
The LOW RANGE position is designed for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the LOW
RANGE position on dry hard surfaced roads may
cause increased tire wear and damage to the
driveline components.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Messages
The Transfer Case Position Indicator messages
(AWD AUTO and LOW RANGE) are located in the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and
desired transfer case selection. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information. When you select a different
transfer case position, the position indicator
lights will do the following:
If All Shift Conditions Are Met:

1. The current position indicator light will turn
off.

2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the
shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop
flashing and remain on. If shift conditions are not met, one or more of
the following events may occur:

1. The indicator light for the current position
will remain on.

2. The newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash.
3. The transfer case will not shift.
NOTE:
Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new
transfer case position have been met. To retry
the selection, turn the control knob back to the
current position, wait five seconds, and retry
selection. To find the shift requirements, refer
to the "Shifting Procedure" for your transfer
case, located in this section.
The “SERV AWD” Warning Light monitors the
electronic shift all-wheel drive system. If this
light remains on after engine start up or
illuminates during driving, it means that the
all-wheel drive system is not functioning
properly and that service is required. NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. This could
cause damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in LOW RANGE, the
engine speed is approximately three times that
of the AWD AUTO position at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine and do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of all-wheel drive vehicles
depends on tires of equal size, type and
circumference on each wheel. Any difference in
tire size can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because all-wheel drive provides improved
traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe
turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster
than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when
powering down the vehicle if the “SERV AWD
Warning Light” is illuminated. Not engaging
the parking brake may allow the vehicle to roll
which may cause personal injury.

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STARTING AND OPERATING201
For additional information on the appropriate
use of each transfer case mode position, see
the information below:
AWD Auto
All-Wheel Drive Auto Range – This range sends
power to the rear wheels. The all-wheel drive
system will be automatically engaged when the
vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional
traction for varying road conditions.
LOW Range
All-Wheel Drive Low Range – This range
provides low speed all-wheel drive. Locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling
power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
NEUTRAL (N)
This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for
flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in this chapter for further
information.
SHIFTING PROCEDURE
NOTE:
If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the
transfer case will not shift. The position indi -
cator light for the previous position will
remain on and the newly selected position
indicator light will continue to flash until all
the requirements for the selected position
have been met. To retry a shift: return the control switch back
to the original position, make certain all shift
requirements have been met, wait five
seconds and try the shift again.
If all the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have been met, the
current position indicator light will turn off,
the selected position indicator light will flash
until the transfer case completes the shift.
When the shift is complete, the position indi
-
cator light for the selected position will stop
flashing and remain on.
AWD Auto To Low Range
NOTE:
When shifting into or out of LOW RANGE some
gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal
and is not detrimental to the vehicle or occu -
pants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle
rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely
stopped. Use either of the following procedures:
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer
case NEUTRAL position disengages both the
front and rear drive shafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING211
If the system is set when the vehicle speed is
below 20 mph (32 km/h), the set speed shall
be defaulted to 20 mph (32 km/h). If the
system is set when the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (32 km/h), the set speed shall be the
current speed of the vehicle.
NOTE:
ACC cannot be set if there is a stationary vehicle
in front of your vehicle in close proximity.
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. If
you do not, the vehicle may continue to
accelerate beyond the set speed. If this occurs:
The message “DRIVER OVERRIDE” will
display in the instrument cluster display.
The system will not be controlling the
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. The vehicle speed will only be
determined by the position of the accelerator
pedal.
TO CANCEL
The following conditions cancel the system:
The brake pedal is applied.
The CANC button is pushed.
An Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) event
occurs.
The gear selector is removed from the DRIVE
position.
The Electronic Stability Control/Traction
Control System (ESC/TCS) activates.
The vehicle parking brake is applied.
Driver seat belt is unbuckled at low speeds.
Driver door is opened at low speeds.
The driver switches ESC to Full Off mode.
The braking temperature exceeds normal
range (overheated).
TO TURN OFF
The system will turn off and clear the set speed
in memory if:
The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off
button is pushed.
The Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control
on/off button is pushed.
The ignition is placed in the OFF position.
TO RESUME
If there is a set speed in memory push the RES
(resume) button and then remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. The instrument
cluster display will display the last set speed.
NOTE:
ACC cannot be resumed if there is a stationary
vehicle in-front of your vehicle in close prox -
imity.
WARNING!
The Resume function should only be used if
traffic and road conditions permit. Resuming
a set speed that is too high or too low for
prevailing traffic and road conditions could
cause the vehicle to accelerate or decelerate
too sharply for safe operation. Failure to
follow these warnings can result in a collision
and death or serious personal injury.
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STARTING AND OPERATING221
To Cancel
The following conditions will cancel the Normal
(Fixed Speed) Cruise Control without clearing
the memory:
The brake pedal is applied.
The CANC button is pushed.
The Electronic Stability Control/Traction
Control System (ESC/TCS) activates.
The vehicle parking brake is applied.
The braking temperature exceeds normal
range (overheated).
The gear selector is removed from the DRIVE
position.
The driver switches ESC to Full Off mode.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RES
button and release. Resume can be used at any
speed above 20 mph (32 km/h).
To Turn Off
The system will turn off and erase the set speed
in memory if:
The Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control on/
off button is pushed.
The ignition is placed in the OFF position.
The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off
button is pushed.
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Rear Park Assist system
provides visual and audible indications of the
distance between the rear fascia and a
detected obstacle when backing up (e.g. during
a parking maneuver). If your vehicle is equipped
with an automatic transmission, the vehicle
brakes may be automatically applied and
released when performing a reverse parking
maneuver if the system detects a possible
collision with an obstacle.
NOTE:
The driver can disable the automatic braking
function by turning ParkSense off via the
ParkSense switch. The driver can also over -
ride automatic braking by changing the gear
or by pressing the gas pedal over 90% of its
capacity during the braking event.
Automatic brakes are not available if the
vehicle is in 4WD Low.
Automatic brakes will not be available if there
is a faulted condition detected with the Park -
Sense Park Assist system or the Braking
System Module.
The automatic braking function may only be
applied if the vehicle deceleration is not
enough to avoid colliding with a detected
obstacle.
The automatic braking function may not be
applied fast enough for obstacles that move
toward the rear of the vehicle from the left
and/or right sides.
The automatic braking function can be
enabled/disabled from the
Customer-Programmable Features section of
the Uconnect System.
ParkSense will retain its last known configu -
ration state for the automatic braking func -
tion through ignition cycles.
The automatic braking function is intended to
assist the driver in avoiding possible collisions
with detected obstacles when backing up in
REVERSE gear.
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STARTING AND OPERATING237
CHANGING LANESENSE STATUS
The LaneSense system has settings to adjust
the intensity of the torque warning and the
warning zone sensitivity (early/late) that you
can configure through the Uconnect system
screen. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in
“Multimedia” for further information.
NOTE:
When enabled the system operates above
37 mph (60 km/h) and below 112 mph
(180 km/h).
Use of the turn signal suppresses the
warnings.
The system will not apply torque to the
steering wheel whenever a safety system
engages (Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control
System, Electronic Stability Control, Forward
Collision Warning, etc.).
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA
Your vehicle is equipped with the ParkView Rear
Back Up Camera that allows you to see an
on-screen image of the rear surroundings of
your vehicle whenever the gear selector is put
into REVERSE. The image will be displayed on
the Navigation/Multimedia radio display screen
along with a caution note to “check entire
surroundings” across the top of the screen.
After five seconds this note will disappear. The
ParkView camera is located on the rear of the
vehicle above the rear license plate.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE
(with camera delay turned off), the rear camera
mode is exited and the navigation or audio
screen appears again.
Manual Activation Of The Backup Camera

1. Press the “Controls” button located on the
bottom of the Uconnect display.

2. Press the “Backup Camera” button to turn the Rear View Camera system on. NOTE:
The ParkView Rear Back Up Camera has
programmable modes of operation that may be
selected through the Uconnect System.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia”
for further information.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE
(with camera delay turned off), the rear camera
mode is exited and the previous screen appears
again. When the vehicle is shifted out of
REVERSE (with camera delay turned on), the
camera image will continue to be displayed for
up to ten seconds, unless the vehicle speed
exceeds 8 mph (13 km/h), the vehicle is shifted
into PARK, the vehicle’s ignition is placed in the
OFF position, or the user presses image defeat
“X” to exit out of the camera video display.
When enabled, active guidelines are overlaid on
the image to illustrate the width of the vehicle
and its projected backup path based on the
steering wheel position. A dashed center line
overlay indicates the center of the vehicle to
assist with parking or aligning to a hitch/
receiver. Different colored zones indicate the
distance to the rear of the vehicle.
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258STARTING AND OPERATING
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
When To Use 4WD LOW — If Equipped
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD LOW for
additional traction. This range should be limited
to extreme situations such as deep snow, mud,
or sand where additional low speed pulling
power is needed. Vehicle speeds in excess of
25 mph (40 km/h) should be avoided when in
4WD LOW.
Driving Through Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving
through water, there are a number of
precautions that must be considered before
entering the water.
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to
ensure safety and prevent damage to your
vehicle. If you must drive through water, try to
determine the depth and the bottom condition
(and location of any obstacles) prior to entering.
Proceed with caution and maintain a steady
controlled speed less than 5 mph (8 km/h) in
deep water to minimize wave effects. Flowing Water
If the water is swift flowing and rising (as in
storm run-off), avoid crossing until the water
level recedes and/or the flow rate is reduced. If
you must cross flowing water avoid depths in
excess of 9 inches (23 cm). The flowing water
can erode the streambed, causing your vehicle
to sink into deeper water. Determine exit
point(s) that are downstream of your entry point
to allow for drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than
20 inches (51 cm), and reduce speed
appropriately to minimize wave effects.
Maximum speed in 20 inches (51 cm) of water
is less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your
vehicle fluids and lubricants (engine oil,
transmission oil, axle, transfer case) to ensure
the fluids have not been contaminated.
Contaminated fluid (milky, foamy in
appearance) should be flushed/changed as
soon as possible to prevent component
damage.
WARNING!
Do not drive in 4WD LOW on dry pavement;
driveline damage may result. 4WD LOW locks
front and rear drivelines together and does
not allow for differential action between the
front to rear driveshafts. Driving in 4WD LOW
on pavement will cause driveline binding; use
only on wet or slippery surfaces.
CAUTION!
When driving through water, do not exceed
5 mph (8 km/h). Always check water depth
before entering as a precaution, and check all
fluids afterward. Driving through water may
cause damage that may not be covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

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STARTING AND OPERATING259
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for
additional control at slower speeds, shift the
transmission to a low gear and shift the transfer
case to LOW if necessary. Refer to “All-Wheel
Drive Operation” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information. Do not shift to a lower gear
than necessary to maintain forward motion.
Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads,
because engine braking may cause skidding
and loss of control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:
Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill, shift the
transmission to a lower gear and shift the
transfer case to LOW. Use FIRST gear and LOW
for very steep hills. If you stall or begin to lose forward motion while
climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come
to a stop and immediately apply the brakes.
Restart the engine, and shift into REVERSE.
Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help
regulate the speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill;
always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front
wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into LOW range. Let the vehicle go
slowly down the hill with all four wheels turning
against engine compression drag. This will
permit you to control the vehicle speed and
direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated
braking can cause brake fade with loss of
braking control. Avoid repeated heavy braking
by downshifting the transmission whenever
possible.WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.5

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