Freeing A Stuck Vehicle - Dodge Durango 2017 User Manual

W H A T T O D O I N E M E R G E N C I E S

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.
Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE while gently pressing the
accelerator.
NOTE:
Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or less. Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more than two
seconds, you must press the brake pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
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" switch, to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in
"Partial Off" mode, before rocking the vehicle. Refer to "Electronic Brake Control" in
"Starting And Operating" in your Owner's Manual on www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals
for further information. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the "ESC Off" switch again
to restore "ESC On" mode.
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.
• 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 transmission 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 occurring).
WARNING!
CAUTION!
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