2013 Dodge Durango Owner's Manual - Page 469

STARTING AND OPERATING 467 gear range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range will improve performance and extend transmission This range should be used for most city and highway life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operatautomatically upshifts through underdrive first and sec- ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the ond gears, direct third gear and overdrive fourth and transmission shift schedule and expand the range of fifth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv- torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions. prevent transmission damage due to overheating. DRIVE To access all six available gears, you must use the If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer to "Elec- of overheating, the "Transmission Temperature Warning tronic Range Select (ERS) Operation" in this section). Light" may illuminate and the transmission may operate differently until the transmission cools down. When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi- NOTE: Use caution when operating a heavily loaded tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In Select (ERS) shift control (refer to "Electronic Range these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a Select (ERS) Operation" in this section) to select a lower significant additional heat load on the cooling system. 5