These Are the Secret Dodge Durango Key Fob Tricks You Need to Know

Beyond locking and unlocking, your Dodge Durango key fob has more hidden features, like opening the liftgate and enabling keyless entry.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Beyond the basics, your
Dodge Durango
’s key fob has hidden features that allow for keyless entry when in working condition—and a way to access and start your vehicle even when your key fob battery dies.
  • Beyond your basic locking and unlocking functions, your Dodge Durango has useful functions you might not know about.
  • You can also use your key fob for keyless entry, opening your liftgate, and remote start capabilities.
  • When your Durango key fob dies, replace it with a CR2032 battery.

How to find the hidden key in your Dodge Durango key fob

To unlock your Durango with a dead fob: 
  • Locate the small, textured button on the back of the fob, beneath the logo and close to the keychain.
  • Use your fingernail to slide the button while pulling on the keychain to extract the mechanical key.
  • Use your mechanical key to manually unlock your driver’s side door, just like in the olden days.
Once inside, use the buttons on your driver’s side door to unlock the rest of the doors.
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

How to start a Dodge Durango when your key fob battery is dead

Getting into your Dodge vehicle isn’t the only hurdle you’ll face when your key fob’s battery dies—you also need to find a way to activate the push-button start function, which typically only works when a valid key fob is present inside the vehicle.
Fortunately, there is a chip inside of your car key fob that the ignition can detect even when the battery is dead. All you have to do is press the fob itself to the start/stop button (instead of your finger) and your vehicle will start like normal! 
Once you’re on the road, be sure to pick up a fresh CR2032 battery for a key fob battery replacement.
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How to enable Dodge Durango key fob tricks

Your key fob does have a few extra tricks up its sleeve—and all you have to do is pair your fob to your vehicle.
When you purchase your Durango, the fob should already be paired—but there is a rare chance that your vehicle will stop recognizing your fob (for example, after you change the battery). Additionally, if you purchase a new key fob, you’ll likely have to pair it before it’s usable.
Here’s what you need to do for Dodge key fob pairing:
  • Get behind the wheel of your Durango and lock the door with your key fob within ten seconds after entry.
  • Put your key in the ignition and turn it on while holding down the “UNLOCK” button.
  • Hold down both the “UNLOCK” button and the “PANIC” button, then release them both at the same time.
  • Press “UNLOCK” again.
  • Test to see if your car now recognizes the key fob by getting out of the vehicle, locking it, then trying to unlock it with the key fob.

Dodge Durango key fob basics: remote start, unlock, and lock

Here’s how to use your Durango fob’s most basic functions.
  • To start your Dodge Durango remotely: If it is equipped with remote start, push and release the “remote start” button on the key fob twice within five seconds. The vehicle doors will lock, the parking lights will flash, and the horn will chirp twice (if programmed). Then, the engine will start, and the vehicle will remain in the remote start mode for a 15-minute cycle. Pushing the “remote start” button a third time shuts the engine off.
  • To unlock your Dodge Durango: Press the “unlock” button once. You must be 66 feet or less away from the car, but you do not need to point the fob at your vehicle for it to work.
  • To lock your Dodge Durango: Hit the “lock” button once. Once again, you must be within 66 feet of your Durango, but the fob does not need to be pointed at it.

How to use your Dodge Durango’s keyless entry feature

Using the buttons on your key fob to lock and unlock your Durango is pretty self-explanatory—but did you know that you can unlock your doors without actually touching your fob at all? Thanks to Keyless Enter-N-Go, you never need to fumble around for your keys.
Simply approach either of your vehicle’s front doors with your key fob on your person—such as in your pocket or purse. The key fob will need to be within 5 feet of the door in use. Then, just grab the handle and the door will unlock! 
To lock the doors upon exit, simply push either of the lock buttons (located on both front doors) on the outside of the door handles. The key fob must be located outside of the vehicle for this feature to work. 
Also, be sure not to grab the door’s handle, as this will unlock the doors again.

How to open your liftgate with your Dodge Durango key fob

Keyless Enter-N-Go doesn’t just work with your Durango’s front doors—you can also use it to open your liftgate. With your key fob on your person, simply grab your Dodge’s liftgate handle. 
If your vehicle is equipped with an electronic liftgate, it will open automatically; if the liftgate is manual, it will unlock and you will be able to open it.
 “I love how easy it was for me, as someone who has an older beat-up truck, to get insurance without going through a lot of trouble. I would recommend anyone try
Jerry
, since it’s free!” —Melissa I.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings