As far as activating the switch itself...if someone (or yourself) was cleaning the center console area, it is very easy to rotate the selector into AWD Low.

 

Agreed. Besides, in the long run, the dealership and/or other garages are more apt to give you good service if you're completely honest with them, even if it means admitting that you did something stupid or that it may void a transmission/drivetrain warranty.

 

Trust me I'm not looking to do anything immoral or criminal. I'm sure the selector switch was moved by accident and that the truck was not in neutral at the time. It may have even been moving. If that's the case is it possible it wasn't even in low? What steps have to be taken to put vehicle in low? If I or a familymember did actually screw something up then I will go to dealer and tell them what happened. I am trying to avoid giving them a reason to void warranty if its not needed.

 

Shifting Procedures

AWD AUTO To AWD LOW

NOTE: When shifting into or out of AWD
LOW some gear noise may be heard. This
noise is normal and is not detrimental to
the vehicle or occupants.
• Shifting can be performed with the
vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h) or completely stopped. Use
either of the following procedures:
Preferred Procedure
• With the engine running, slow the
vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
• Shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL.
• While still rolling, rotate the transfer
case control switch to the desired
position.
• After the desired position indicator
light is ON (not flashing), shift the
transmission back into gear.

Alternate Procedure
• Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
• With the ignition switch in the ON
position and the engine either OFF or
running, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL.
• Rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
• After the desired position indicator
light is ON (not flashing), shift the
transmission back into gear.

NOTE:
• If Steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred
or Alternate Procedure are not satisfied
prior to attempting the shift or if they
no longer are being met while the shift
attempt is in process, the desired
position indicator light will flash
continuously while the original position
indicator light is ON, until all
requirements have been met.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON
position for a shift to take place and for
the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition switch is not in
the ON position, then the shift will not
take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.

 

Thanks coldsteel and everyone for reply. I have a feeling it wasn't in low because those requirements were not met. Looks like I have to bring it to dealer anyway because I still have a smell and feel a little sluggish still. The low was flashing is what my wife told me now so if its flashing I think its not in low. Thanks again.

 

I am going to go out in a limb (although not far) and say it is impossible to run 80 MPH in low range. I think the manual says not to exceed 25mph. I have had mine to 25 in low and the engine is wound pretty tight. I don't think there are enough engine rpm's left to reach 80mph with the low range gearing.

 

My old truck had to be put on neutral then put in 4 wheel hi or low. I would say you probably couldn't drive that fast in low or at the very least the RPMs would be so high that you would realize you were in low. I havnt used low in the Durango yet but maybe someone who has can tell you if it seemed even possible to drive that fast or if you wouldn't be able to tell.

 

Morals aside (to each his own), I think it's fair to say you have no idea what happened, and you are going to take it to the dealer and ask them to investigate something that doesn't seem right. Your drive train has a 100K warranty, and no matter what's done to it inadvertently, by accident, or by system failure, the warranty will cover it. And if you really were in low range, you would likely have torn up some tires (causing a smell) if you did any maneuvering at speed.

 

I would say, take it in and say you smell something, there is no such thing as a dealer tending to give you anything anymore since they are all looking to make $$$