Hey guys I'm new here. I've read and learned a lot on this forum so I'm hoping I can get some of your knowledge on my issue. I just recently purchased a used 2014 Durango Limited with v8 HEMI. 56000kms. (Just a lil background). Anyways this vehicle is for my wife and kids, and while we were driving the other night on an off ramp to merge onto a freeway, we began to fishtail.(roads were icey, live in Alberta Canada) We didn't feel any systems kicking in to help and we ended up just riding it out. Last night I purposefully tried to spin it out and I had no problems. I didn't hear or feel any traction-control systems or breaking systems kick in. What should I be expecting when I'm sliding sideways in the car??
P.s my wife was not driving fast and did not accelerate aggressively to cuase the *** end to slip out. Any thoughts guys n girls?? Oh and I have Nokian wrg3 SUV tires.

 

I have a 2011 V8 and unless Dodge really changed things, you'd definitely know when the stability control were kicking in and it would kick in during your scenarios.

We had some snow this weekend and as soon as I'd start to slide in turns the stability control would kick in with a rather loud fast clicky moan (ABS module cycling). I was about to the point of shutting off the stability control just so I could have a little fun.

If you have access to a professional scan tool that can monitor the stability system (yaw sensor, steering wheel angle sensor, and wheel speed sensors) that might help you determine if a sensor isn't working somewhere or if there is another issue. It definitely sounds like something isn't working correctly in your truck.

-Rod

 

I have never been able to purposely produce the behavior that you're describing without disabling the traction control/stability control.

It sounds almost like the system is non-functional, which would also mean that the 'Mr. Squiggles' light would be illuminated constantly.

Can you confirm that that light illuminates in the cluster when you first start the vehicle (during the self-test).

Does it light if you purposely turn off TCS?

 

Ok guys, firstly thanks a lot for responding with your input. So last night I took it out again and tried to purposefully throw her outta control, but I couldn't. The squiggly light didn't come on but I think it didn't need to. I felt the front wheels engage and that helped keep me straight. Then I went to an empty parking lot again and plowed in the snow and definitely seen and felt the traction systems working. The car went wherever I pointed it to. It past the test with flying colours actually. The squiggly light definitely isn't on constantly and does light up when the car first starts. I will plug in a computer to see if it pulls any codes and also I'm thinking of putting some sandbags in the back. You think that would help??

thanks guys..

 

I don't think you need to add sand bags, I used that method of adding the extra weight in the bed of my truck. It did help.

I think keeping a full tank of gas should help.

 

I tried doing some tail wagging on near ice snow pack at lunch today. This is my first winter with a 2015 RT after owning a 2012 V6 model from new.


I instantly threw it into a spin and almost lost it in a snow bank. Traction control was on, in the "economy" mode. I suspect if you do not have the ECO mode turned on, it would be even easier to get into trouble on slick surfaces.


My observation is that the nanny system on this thing does not step in very aggressively, and that the amount of power from the V8 allows you to get yourself in trouble if you are not careful. My old one with the V6 took a LOT more effort to slide.


I also feel that the traction control on the 2015 (which is probably the same as a 2014) is a LOT quieter than the system in my old 2012 which sounded exactly like the antilock brakes modulating.


All of that said, I'm also due for new tires. They don't look awful at first glance, but upon closer inspection the original Forteras are wearing, especially on the inside edges that you don't normally look at. You might want to consider a set of winter snow tires or replacing your all season tires. All wheel drive and traction control are great but have their limits. Having put 60,000 miles on my old Durango I can tell you that the snow performance changes like night and day over 40,000 miles on one set of tires.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. It looks like the durangos systems are working fine. Thinking I'm gonna look into a strict winter tire next season. Thanks again ..

 

As far as I understand it, the Durango, even with AWD, has a rear wheel drive bias and can only send a fraction of power to the front wheels. It's not even 50-50, I think it's more like 60-40 in favor of rear. In fact, I've heard that AWD doesn't really kick in unless the vehicle believes it's necessary. This improves fuel economy. But it does take a little longer to engage than most would like when the car realizes it needs that extra traction.

As someone already mentioned, the V8 also can get you into trouble due to the added torque that's there.

One way to check to make sure it's working is if traction control is on, it should lite up or start blinking when it's active and you'll also sense a loss of power as the system powers down to regain control and traction. Easiest way to test is to find a stretch of snow with nothing around and hit the gas from a stop. If there's a loss of traction, you'll see the TCS light start blinking and power reduced until traction is regained.

But I will add that the tires are terrible as well. The forteras are really bad and with only a little over 20,000 miles on mine, I kind of want to get rid of them already. I had considered maybe going with dedicated winter tires like I have on my RWD charger. I think the charger with winter tires is much better in snow than the durango currently. With winter tires and AWD on the durango, it would be a beast. But I also don't want to shell out another $2100+ for new tires and rims and then find a place to store yet another 4 tires.

 

yea its a really good system for me. However for my wife, its gonna take some getting used to the system and power. Shes been driving a Lexus RX330 for the last 8 years.

 

I dumped the Forteras for General Grabbers and I have been happy with dry and wet traction. I unfortunately can't yet speak to their snow performance, but TireRack/Discount Tire reviews are good.