Dodge DURANGO 2021 Owner's Manual page 120

118 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING! (Continued)
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 come to a complete stop,
then apply the parking brake, shift the trans-
mission into PARK, and turn the ignition OFF.
When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the
transmission is locked in PARK, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement.
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure the

ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with

access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing chil-
dren 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.
CAUTION!
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 indicators should be used to
ensure that you have properly engaged the
transmission into the PARK position:
When shifting into PARK, push the lock

button on the gear selector and firmly move
the selector all the way forward until it stops
and is fully seated.
Look at the transmission gear position

display and verify that it indicates the PARK
position (P), and is not blinking.
With brake pedal released, verify that the

gear selector will not move out of PARK.
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 (P) if you must exit 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.
For Recreational Towing Ú page 166.
For Towing A Disabled Vehicle Ú page 286.