2023 DODGE DURANGO tow

234IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
SPARE TIRE STOWAGE
The spare tire is stowed under the rear of the
vehicle by means of a cable winch mechanism. To
remove or stow the spare, use the jack handle/lug
wrench connected to the square socket extension
to rotate the “spare tire drive” nut. The nut is
located under a plastic cover at the center-rear of
the cargo floor area, just inside the liftgate
opening.

Spare Tire Location

SPARE TIRE REMOVAL
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up
the vehicle. The spare tire is stowed underneath
the rear cargo area on the outside of the vehicle.
For spare tire removal, see the following steps:

1. Remove the jack tools from the bag.

2. Raise the rubber mat and remove the plug from storage compartment floor.

Winch Plug Location

3. Fit the jack handle extension over the drive nut. Use the lug wrench handle and extension
to completely lower the spare tire. Keep
turning the handle counterclockwise until the
winch stops.
Winch Location
Wrench Rotation

CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack wrench extension tool only. Use of air
wrench or power tool may damage the winch.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack wrench extension tool only. Use of air
wrench or power tool may damage the winch.

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 234

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY235
4. Slide the tire out from under the vehicle and rotate it vertically behind the rear fascia/
bumper.

Spare Tire

NOTE:Depending on the vehicle trim, the vehicle may
come equipped with both, a metal retainer and
plastic plate or a metal retainer only when
removing the spare Ú page 293.
5. Pull the metal stamping toward you to release it from the plastic plate (if equipped).
Spare Tire Retainer

6. Slide the metal stamping up the steel extension tube and winch cable. Rotate the
metal stamping and push it through the hole in
the plastic plate (if applicable) and wheel.

Sleeve And Cable
7. If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire
retainer and plastic plate. Pinch the three
short and two long tubes to remove the
protective plate from the steel spare wheel.

Releasing Protective Plate

7

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 235

236IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS

Jack Warning Label
1. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug
nuts by turning them to the left, one turn,
while the wheel is still on the ground.

2. Assemble the jack and jacking tools.

Jack And Tool Assembly

NOTE:Placement for the front and rear jacking locations
are critical. See the following images for proper
jacking locations.
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before
raising the vehicle.
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers.
Apply the parking brake firmly and set the
transmission in PARK.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel
to be raised.
Never start or run the engine with the vehicle
on a jack.
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is
on a jack.
Do not get under the vehicle when it 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.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with
the valve stem facing the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
WARNING!

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 236

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY237

Jacking Locations

3. For the front tire, place the jack on the body flange just behind the front tire. Do not raise
the vehicle until you are sure the jack is fully
engaged.

Front Lifting Point Front Jacking Location

4. For a rear tire, place the jack in the slot on the rear tie-down bracket, just forward of the rear
tire. Do not raise the vehicle until you are sure
the jack is fully engaged.

Rear Lifting Point Rear Jacking Location

5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle just enough to
remove the flat tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
7. Install the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end
toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can
make the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the
jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle
only enough to remove the tire.7

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 237

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY239

Wrench Rotation

NOTE:Double check to ensure the tire is snug against the
underbody of the vehicle. Damage to the winch
cable may result if the vehicle is driven with the tire
loose.
Road Wheel Installed In Spare Location
13. After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut
torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all
lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
14. Lower the jack to the fully closed position. Return the tools to the proper positions in the
tool bag. Fold the flap on the tool bag under
the tools and roll the tools in the bag
underneath the others. Use the hook and loop
fasteners to secure the tool bag to the jack
with the lug wrench on the forward side of the
jack. Expand the jack on the bracket by turning
the thumb screw clockwise until it is tight to
prevent rattles.
15. Reinstall the plastic plug into the floor of the cargo area. Roll up and store the Jack, Tool Kit
and Tire Changing Instructions. Reinstall the
cover for the jack in the rear storage bin.
16. Have the aluminum road wheel and tire repaired as soon as possible and properly
secure the spare tire, jack and tool kit.
JUMP STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can be
jump started using a set of jumper cables and a
battery in another vehicle, or by using a portable
battery booster pack. Jump starting can be
dangerous if done improperly, so please follow the
procedures in this section carefully.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack wrench extension tool only. Use of air
wrench or power tool may damage the winch.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision
or hard stop, could endanger the occupants of
the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the
spare tire in the places provided.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is
frozen. It could rupture or explode and cause
personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or
any other booster source with a system voltage
greater than 12 Volts or damage to the battery,
starter motor, alternator or electrical system may
occur.
7

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 239

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY243
5. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the spare tire storage area.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
If the vehicle is overheating, it will need to be
serviced by an authorized dealer.
Potential signs of vehicle overheating can be:
Temperature gauge is at HOT (H)
Strong smell of coolant
White smoke coming from engine or exhaust
Coolant bottle coolant has bubbles present In the event it is observed that the temperature
gauge is moving towards or close to the HOT (H)
position, you can reduce the potential for
overheating by taking the appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place the trans
-
mission in NEUTRAL (N), but do not increase the
engine idle speed while preventing vehicle
motion with the brakes.
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.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (P) (such as
a depleted battery), a Manual Park Release is
available.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
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.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!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Manual Park
Release. In addition, you should be seated in the
driver’s seat with your foot firmly on the brake
pedal when 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.
7

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 243

244IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Follow these steps to use the Manual Park
Release:

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Open the center console and locate the Manual Park Release cover, remove it by
snapping the cover away from the console
hinges.

Manual Park Release Cover

NOTE:Depending on your vehicle’s trim level, the Manual
Park Release cable may be located in a different
area on the center console.
3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, push the metal latch in towards the tether strap.
Release Latch

5. While the metal latch is in the open position, pull upward on the tether strap until the lever
clicks and latches in the released position. The
transmission is now out of PARK (P) and the
vehicle can be moved.

Released Position

NOTE:To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally,
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.

Release Latch

CAUTION!
Closing the armrest while the Manual Park
Release is activated may damage the Manual
Park Release mechanism, the transmission,
and/or the armrest.

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 244

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY245
2. Once the tension has been released and the lever has been unlocked, be sure it is stowed
properly and locks into position.

Stowed Position

NOTE:Be sure to replace the cover by snapping it back in
place.
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. Push and
hold the lock button on the gear selector. Then,
shift back and forth between DRIVE (D) and
REVERSE (R) while gently pressing the accelerator.
NOTE:Shifts between DRIVE (D) and REVERSE (R) can
only be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or less. Whenever the transmission
remains in NEUTRAL (N) for more than two
seconds, you must press the brake pedal to
engage DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R).
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 button to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in “Partial OFF”
mode, before rocking the vehicle Ú page 180.
Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC OFF
button again to restore ESC On mode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces
generated 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 vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when
you are stuck and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may
lead to transmission overheating and failure.
Allow the engine 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 transmis -
sion failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting
between DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or
drivetrain damage may result.
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 transmission shifting occur -
ring).
7

23_WD_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 245