2021 DODGE DURANGO transmission

114STARTING AND OPERATING
NEUTRAL (N)
This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle Ú page 153.
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 require -
ments 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 posi -
tion indicator light will turn off, the selected posi -
tion indicator light will flash until the transfer
case completes the shift. When the shift is
complete, the position indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain
on.
AWD AUTO To AWD LOW
NOTE:When shifting into or out of AWD LOW some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
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:
Preferred Procedure

1. With the engine running, slow the vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).

2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, push the AWD LOW control switch.
4. After the AWD LOW position indicator light is on (not flashing), shift the transmission back into
gear. Alternate Procedure

1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.

2. With the ignition in ON/RUN position and
engine running, shift the transmission to
NEUTRAL.
3. Push the AWD LOW control switch.
4. After the AWD LOW position indicator light is on (not flashing), shift the transmission back into
gear.NOTE:
If steps 1 or 2 of either the “Preferred” or “Alter -
nate Procedure” are not satisfied prior to
attempting the shift or if they no longer are
being met while the shift attempt is in process,
the desired position indicator light will flash
continuously while the original position indicator
light is on, until all requirements have been met.
The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN posi -
tion 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, then the
shift will not take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
N (Neutral) Shift Procedure
For information regarding the transfer case N
(Neutral) shift procedure, see Ú page 154.
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.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 114

STARTING AND OPERATING115
TOW N GO — IF EQUIPPED
Tow N Go combines the capabilities of the vehicle
control systems, along with driver input, to provide
optimum performance for road conditions.
Push any one of the four drive mode buttons to
select the desired mode.

Drive Mode Buttons
Tow N Go consists of the following positions:TRACK
– Track mode optimizes settings for
transmission, engine, driveline, and suspension
in order to maximize vehicle performance. Also
the electric power steering offers more feed -
back of the tire gripping the road. This feature
will reset to AUTO upon an ignition cycle. To turn
off Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Ú page 192.
SPORT – Dry weather, on-road calibration.
Performance based tuning that provides a
rear-wheel drive feel but with improved handling
and acceleration over a two-wheel drive vehicle.
This feature will reset to AUTO upon an ignition
cycle.
TOW – Tow drive mode also optimizes the trans -
mission shifting for towing, as well as maxi -
mizing straight line traction by optimizing
driveline settings on AWD system. Use this
mode for towing/hauling. Vehicle suspension
will go to SPORT mode. Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) is enabled in the ESC system. This feature
will reset to AUTO upon an ignition cycle.
SNOW – Tuning set for additional stability in
inclement weather. Use on and off-road on
loose traction surfaces such as snow. This
feature will reset to AUTO upon an ignition cycle.
GUIDELINES FOR TRACK USE
If your vehicle is equipped with Drive Modes,
they will alter the vehicle’s performance in
various driving situations. It is recommended
that your vehicle operates in SPORT or TRACK
modes during the track event.
Prior to each track event, verify all fluids are at
the correct levels.
Prior to each track event, verify the front and
rear brake pads have more than half pad thick -
ness remaining. If the brake pads require
changing, complete a brake burnish procedure
prior to track outing at full pace.
NOTE:Use of DOT 4 brake fluid is suggested for extended
track usage due to increased thermal capacity.
At the conclusion of each track event, it is
recommended that a brake bleed procedure is
performed to maintain the pedal feel and stop -
ping capability of your Brembo High Perfor -
mance brake system.
It is recommended that each track outing
should end with a minimum of one cooldown lap
using minimal braking.
It is recommended that the suspension system,
brake system, prop shaft, and half shaft boots
be checked for wear or damage after every track
event.
1 — TRACK
2 — SPORT
3 — TOW
4 — SNOW
4

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 115

116STARTING AND OPERATING
Track usage results in increased operating
temperatures of the engine, transmission, drive -
line and brake system. This may affect Noise
Vibration Harshness (NVH) countermeasures
designed into your vehicle. New components
may need to be installed to return the system to
the original NVH performance.
Tire pressure:
Recommended tire pressure of 33 psi
(230 kPa) when tires are cold, or below
42 psi (290 kPa) when hot.
NOTE:It is recommended that you target below 42 psi
(290 kPa) when tires are hot at the conclusion of
each track session. Starting at 33 psi (230 kPa)
cold and adjusting based on ambient and track
conditions is recommended. Tire pressure can be
monitored via the instrument cluster display and
can assist with adjustments.
Track burnishing your brakes
To avoid “green lining fade” during track use, the
brake pads and rotors must have a thermal
burnish for factory-installed components or when
new brake friction components are installed:

1. Use one track session to burnish brakes by driving at 75% speed. Brake at approximately
0.60 - 0.80g max without Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) intervention.
2. Complete one lap in this manner until you start
smelling the brakes. Continue for another half
lap at speed, then complete a two lap
cooldown with minimal brake applications.
Ensure the brakes are not smoking. If they are,
complete another cooldown lap.
3. Getting the brakes to smoke is an indication that the brakes have overheated and may
negatively affect future track usage.
4. Allow vehicle to sit and cool for at least 30 minutes. If an infrared thermal gun is
available, allow rotors to cool to 200°F
(93.3°C) before returning to the track.
5. There should be a thin layer of ash when inspecting the brake pads. Having the ash
layer go more than half the thickness of the
pad material is a sign of an overly aggressive
burnish.
6. Occasionally, a second burnish session is required. If the brake pads begin to emit an
odor during the next track session, reduce
vehicle speed and braking deceleration rate to
burnish targets and follow steps 2-4. 7. New brake pads installed on old rotors require
a burnish. New rotors installed with old brake
pads should be burnished at the track or
driven for 300 miles (485 km) of city driving to
develop an adequate lining transfer layer on
the rotor surface prior to track use.
8. Rotors that pulsate during track use should be replaced.
NOTE:Resurfacing of the rotors is not recommended, as
it removes mass from the rotor, reducing its
thermal capacity. Resurfacing also thins the rotor
cheek, making it less robust and increasing the
likelihood of pulsation in further track use.
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ONLY —
IF EQUIPPED
This feature offers improved fuel economy by
shutting off four of the engine's eight cylinders
during light load and cruise conditions. The system
is automatic with no driver inputs.
NOTE:This system may take some time to return to full
functionality after a battery disconnect.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 116

118STARTING AND OPERATING
POSSIBLE REASONS THE ENGINE DOES
N
OT AUTOSTOP
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check
many safety and comfort conditions to see if they
are fulfilled. Detailed information about the
operation of the Stop/Start system may be viewed
in the instrument cluster display Stop/Start
Screen. In the following situations, the engine will
not stop:
Driver’s seat belt is not buckled.
Driver’s door is not closed.
Battery temperature is too warm or cold.
Battery charge is low.
The vehicle is on a steep grade.
Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an
acceptable cabin temperature has not been
achieved.
HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high blower
speed.
HVAC set to MAX A/C.
Engine has not reached normal operating
temperature.
The transmission is not in a forward gear.
Hood is open.
Brake pedal is not pressed with sufficient pres -
sure.
Accelerator pedal input.
Engine temp too high.
5 mph (8 km/h) threshold not achieved from
previous Autostop.
Steering angle beyond threshold.
ACC is on and speed is set.
It may be possible for the vehicle to be driven
several times without the Stop/Start system going
into a STOP/START READY state under more
extreme conditions of the items listed above.
TO START THE ENGINE WHILE IN
A
UTOSTOP MODE
While in a forward gear, the engine will start when
the brake pedal is released or the throttle pedal is
pressed. The transmission will automatically
re-engage upon engine restart.
Conditions That Will Cause The Engine To Start
Automatically While In Autostop Mode:
The transmission selector is moved out of
DRIVE.
To maintain cabin temperature comfort.
HVAC is set to full defrost mode.
HVAC system temperature or fan speed is
manually adjusted.
Battery voltage drops too low.
Stop/Start OFF switch is pushed.
A Stop/Start system error occurs.
TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE
S
TOP/START SYSTEM

Stop/Start OFF Switch

Push the Stop/Start OFF switch (located on the
switch bank). The light on the switch will illuminate.
The “STOP/START OFF” message will appear in the
instrument cluster display and the autostop mode
will be disabled Ú page 83.
NOTE:The Stop/Start system will reset itself back to the
ON mode every time the ignition is turned OFF and
back ON.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 118

120STARTING AND OPERATING
To Activate
Push the on/off button to activate the Cruise
Control. “CRUISE CONTROL READY” will appear in
the instrument cluster display to indicate the
Cruise Control is on. To turn the system off, push
the on/off button a second time. “CRUISE
CONTROL OFF” will appear in the instrument
cluster display to indicate the Cruise Control is off.
The system should be turned off when not in use.
To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Cruise Control on. When the vehicle has
reached the desired speed, push the SET (+) or
SET (-) button and release. Release the accelerator
and the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
Once a speed has been set, a message “CRUISE
CONTROL SET TO MPH (km/h)” will appear
indicating what speed was set. A cruise indicator
lamp, along with set speed will also appear and
stay on in the instrument cluster when the speed is
set.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Or Decrease The Set Speed
When the Cruise Control is set, you can increase
speed by pushing the SET (+) button, or decrease
speed by pushing the SET (-) button.
U.S. Speed (mph)
Pushing the SET (+) , or SET (-) button once will
result in a 1 mph speed adjustment. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in an
adjustment of 1 mph.
If the button is continually pushed, the set
speed will continue to adjust until the button is
released, then the new set speed will be estab -
lished.
Metric Speed (km/h)
Pushing the SET (+) , or SET (-) button once will
result in a 1 km/h speed adjustment. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in an
adjustment of 1 km/h.
If the button is continually pushed, the set
speed will continue to adjust until the button is
released, then the new set speed will be estab -
lished.
To Accelerate For Passing
Press the accelerator as you would normally. When
the pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the
set speed.
USING CRUISE CONTROL ON HILLS
The transmission may downshift on hills to
maintain the vehicle set speed.
NOTE:The Cruise Control system maintains speed up and
down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may
occur so it may be preferable to drive without
Cruise Control.WARNING!
Leaving the Cruise Control system on when not
in use is dangerous. You could accidentally set
the system or cause it to go faster than you
want. You could lose control and have an
accident. Always leave the system OFF when you
are not using it.
WARNING!
Cruise Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your
vehicle could go too fast for the conditions, and
you could lose control and have an accident. Do
not use Cruise Control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered or
slippery.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 120

STARTING AND OPERATING123
The ACC screen may display once again if any of
the following ACC activity occurs:
System Cancel
Driver Override
System Off
ACC Proximity Warning
ACC Unavailable Warning
The instrument cluster display will return to the last
display selected after five seconds of no ACC
display activity.
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The minimum set speed for the ACC system is
20 mph (32 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the ready
state, the instrument cluster display will read “ACC
Ready.”
When the system is off, the instrument cluster
display will read “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Off.”
NOTE:You cannot engage ACC under the following
conditions:
When in 4WD Low
When the brakes are applied
When the parking brake is applied
When the automatic transmission is in PARK,
REVERSE or NEUTRAL
When the vehicle speed is below the minimum
speed range
When the brakes are overheated
When the driver’s door is open at low speeds
When the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled at low
speeds
When there is a stationary vehicle in front of
your vehicle in close proximity
To Activate/Deactivate
Push and release the Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) on/off button. The ACC menu in the
instrument cluster displays “ACC Ready.”
To turn the system off, push and release the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off button again.
At this time, the system will turn off and the
instrument cluster displays “Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) Off.”
To Set A Desired Speed
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, push
the SET (+) button or the SET (-) button and
release. The instrument cluster display will show
the set speed.
NOTE:Fixed Speed Cruise Control can be used without
ACC enabled. To change between the different
modes, push the ACC on/off button which turns
the ACC and the Fixed Speed Cruise Control off.
Pushing the Fixed Speed Cruise Control on/off
button will result in turning on (changing to) Fixed
Speed Cruise Control mode.
If ACC is set when the vehicle speed is below
20 mph (32 km/h), the set speed will default to
20 mph (32 km/h).
WARNING!
Leaving the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
system on when not in use is dangerous. You
could accidentally set the system or cause it to
go faster than you want. You could lose control
and have a collision. Always leave the system off
when you are not using it.
WARNING!
In Fixed Speed Cruise Control mode, the system
will not react to vehicles ahead. In addition, the
proximity warning does not activate and no
alarm will sound even if you are too close to the
vehicle ahead since neither the presence of the
vehicle ahead nor the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
is detected. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Always be aware which mode is selected.
4

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148STARTING AND OPERATING
Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) when
towing while using a full size spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying
capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR limits.
For further information Úpage 295.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system
or vacuum system of your vehicle with that of
the trailer. This could cause inadequate braking
and possible personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer with
electronically actuated brakes. When towing a
trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated
brake system, an electronic brake controller is
not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the hook retainers of the vehicle
hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning
corners.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on
a grade. When parking, apply the parking
brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle
transmission in PARK (P). For four-wheel drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL (N). Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between the
tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded :
GVWR
GTW
GAWR
Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized.
WARNING!
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your
brake system and cause it to fail. You might
not have brakes when you need them and
could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for
additional space between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you. Failure to do so could
result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb (453 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do
this could lead to accelerated brake lining wear,
higher brake pedal effort, and longer stopping
distances.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 148

152STARTING AND OPERATING
TOWING TIPS
Before towing, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE (D) range when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to
avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you
can use the AutoStick shift control to manually
select a lower gear.
If equipped with Tow N Go, it is recommended
to place the vehicle in tow mode by pushing the
TOW button.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions, will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
This action will also provide better engine braking.
AutoStick
When using the AutoStick shift control, select
the highest gear that allows for adequate perfor -
mance and avoids frequent downshifts. For
example, choose “5” if the desired speed can be
maintained. Choose “4” or “3” if needed to
maintain the desired speed.
To prevent excess heat generation, avoid
continuous driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle
speed as necessary to avoid extended driving at
high RPM. Return to a higher gear or vehicle
speed when grade and road conditions allow.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the Cruise Control, if you experience
speed drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h),
disengage until you can get back to cruising
speed.
Use Cruise Control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.

21_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 152