Dodge Durango

 Owners Manual

Starting and operating » Automatic transmission
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic gear selector located on the center console. The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the gear selector and in the Driver Information Display (DID). To select a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector. You must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds (refer to "Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System" in this section). To shift past multiple gear ranges at once (such as PARK to DRIVE), simply rotate the gear selector to the appropriate detent. Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.

The electronically-controlled transmission provides a precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles (kilometers).

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.

Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting between these gears.

The transmission gear selector has only PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control (shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel). Pressing the shift paddles (-/+) while in the DRIVE range will manually select the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster. Refer to "AutoStick" in this section for further information.

Electronic Gear Selector

Gear Ranges

DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.

NOTE: After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.

This is especially important when the engine is cold.

PARK (P)

This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range.

Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.

When parking on a level surface, you may shift the transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.

When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.

NOTE: On vehicles equipped with the electronically shifted transfer case, ensure that the transfer case is in AWD AUTO or LOW RANGE position on the AWD Control Switch. Ensure that the NEUTRAL position light is NOT illuminated.

WARNING!  Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.  Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before leaving the vehicle.  It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.  Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and make sure the keyless ignition node is in the OFF mode. Remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle. When the keyless ignition is "OFF", remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle. The transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Children should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.  Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children), and do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.

NOTE:

•  Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must start the engine and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could result.
•  DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain.

The following indicator should be used to ensure that you have engaged the transmission into the PARK position:

•  With brake pedal released, look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P).

REVERSE (R)

This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

NEUTRAL (N)

Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.

WARNING! Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision

 

CAUTION! Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage. Refer to "Recreational Towing" in "Starting And Operating" and "Towing A Disabled Vehicle" in "What To Do In Emergencies" for further information.

DRIVE (D)

This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions.

When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control (refer to AutoStick in this section for further information) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.

During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.

Transmission Limp Home Mode

Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.

Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and indicate what actions may be necessary.

In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:

NOTE: In cases where the instrument cluster message indicates the transmission may not re-engage after engine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired location (preferably, at your authorized dealer).

1.  Stop the vehicle.
2.  Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3.  Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns OFF.
4.  Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5.  Restart the engine.
6.  Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.

NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit your authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could recur.

If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is required.

AutoStick

AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature providing manual shift control, giving you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations.

Operation

When the transmission is in DRIVE, it will operate automatically, shifting between the eight available gears.

To engage AutoStick, simply tap one of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-). Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick mode will downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while using (+) to enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear. When AutoStick is active, the current transmission gear is displayed in the instrument cluster.

NOTE: The shift paddles may be disabled (or re-enabled, as desired) using the Uconnect Personal Settings.

In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-) is manually selected by the driver, unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition would result. It will remain in the selected gear until another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as described below

• The transmission will automatically downshift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will display the current gear.
•  The transmission will automatically downshift to first gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.
•  You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.Tapping (+) at a stop will allow starting in second gear.Starting out in second gear can be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
•  If a requested downshift would cause the engine to over-speed, that shift will not occur.
•  The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
•  Holding the (-) paddle depressed will downshift the transmission to the lowest gear possible at the current speed.
•  Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick is enabled.
•  The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault or overheat condition is detected.

To disengage AutoStick mode, press and hold the (+) shift paddle until D is once again indicated in the instrument cluster. You can shift in or out of AutoStick mode at any time without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.

WARNING! Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or personal injury.

Ignition Park Interlock

Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System

Fuel Economy (ECO) Mode

Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission