tow DODGE CARAVAN 2006 4.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
17. Washer Fluid Light
This light turns on when the washer fluid level
falls below approximately 1/4 filled. The light will
remain on until fluid is added.
18. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
Park.
19. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for 4 minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
20. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
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4

21. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 399
for more information.)22. Trac Off Indicator—If Equipped
This display indicator should illuminate for approxi-
mately four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.
The“TRAC OFF”Indicator will flash if the traction
control is in use.
The“TRAC OFF”Indicator will illuminate if:
•The Traction Control switch has been used to turn
the system OFF.
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction
•The system has been deactivated to prevent damage
to the brake system due to overheated brake tem-
peratures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

To Set The Radio Push-button Memory
When you are receiving a station that you wish to
commit to push-button memory, press the SET button.
SET 1 will show in the display window. Select the
push-button you wish to lock onto this station and press
and release that button. If a station is not selected within
5 seconds after pressing the SET button, the station will
continue to play but will not be locked into push-button
memory.
You may add a second station to each push-button by
repeating the above procedure with this exception: Press
the SET button twice and SET 2 will show in the display
window. Each button can be set for SET 1 and SET 2 in
both AM and FM. This allows a total of 10 AM and 10 FM
stations to be locked into memory. You can recall the
stations stored in SET 2 memory by pressing the push-
button twice.
To Change From Clock To Radio Mode
Press the Time button to change the display between
radio frequency and time.
Operating Instructions—Tape Player
Insert the cassette with the exposed tape side toward the
right and the mechanical action of the player will gently
pull the cassette into the play position.
NOTE:When subjected to extremely cold temperatures,
the tape mechanism may require a few minutes to warm
up for proper operation. Sometimes poor playback may
be experienced due to a defective cassette tape. Clean and
demagnetize the tape heads at least twice a year.
Seek Button
Press the SEEK button up for the next selection on the
tape and down to return to the beginning of the current
selection.
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

You may add a second station to each push-button by
repeating the above procedure with this exception: Press
the SET button twice and SET 2 will show in the display
window. Each button can be set for SET 1 and SET 2 in
both AM and FM. This allows a total of 10 AM and 10 FM
stations to be locked into push-button memory. The
stations stored in SET 2 memory can be selected by
pressing the push-button twice.
Time
Press the TIME button to change the display between
radio frequency and time.
To set the clock, use a ballpoint pen or similar object to
press the hour (H) or minute (M) buttons on the radio,
The time setting will increase each time you press the
button. Press any other button to exit from the clock
setting mode.
General Information
This radio complies with Part 15 of FCC rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference,
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion.
NOTE:Changes or modifications not expressively ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Tape Player Operation
Insert the cassette with the exposed tape side toward the
right and the mechanical action of the player will gently
pull the cassette into the play position.
NOTE:When subjected to extremely cold temperatures,
the tape mechanism may require a few minutes to warm
238 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Rear Temperature And Mode Control
When the center knob on the front climate control unit is
set to the“REAR”position, the second seat occupants
have control of the rear temperature and modes as
follows:
•The rear temperature knob controls both the rear
temperature and mode. When the temperature knob is
in the cold position, cold air will be delivered from the
headliner outlets. As the rear temperature knob is
turned towards hot, the air will get warmer, and the
air will be delivered from both the headliner and floor
outlets. When the rear temperature knob reaches the
full hot position, all of the air will be delivered from
the floor outlets.
•When the center knob on the front climate control unit
is set to any position other than“REAR”, the reartemperature selection follows the setting of the driv-
er’s temperature control on the front climate control
unit. The rear mode selection follows the setting of the
front mode control.
Rear Economy Mode
If rear economy mode is desired, set the center knob on
the front control unit to the“REAR”position. Turn the
A/C button OFF and select any mode except“MIX”or
“DEFROST”.
The rear temperature knob and the rear blower speed can
be adjusted as desired by the second seat occupants.
Automatic Temperature Control—If Equipped
The Infrared Three-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
System automatically maintains the interior comfort level
desired by the driver and all passengers. This is accom-
plished by using two infrared sensors, located in the
center of the instrument panel. The two infrared sensors
independently measure the surface temperature of the
284 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............346

Vehicle Loading........................348
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............348
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......348
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........348
▫Overloading.........................349
▫Loading............................349

Trailer Towing.........................350
▫Common Towing Definitions.............351▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............353
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........353
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............356
▫Towing Requirements..................358
▫Towing Tips.........................362

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 363
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................363
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5

Extremely Cold Weather(below
29°Cor
20°F). To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING”,“COLD WEATHER”or“HIGH
ALTITUDE”procedures, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 305
5

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING”procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

“R”Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N”Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“D”Overdrive
For most city and highway driving, it provides smoothest
upshifts and downshifts and best fuel economy. When
frequent transmission shifting occurs while using the
“D”Overdrive position, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, (i.e. in hilly
terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing
heavy trailers), using the“3”position will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build-up.
“3”Drive
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transmis-
sion will operate normally in First, Second and Thirdwhile in this range. The“3”position should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.
NOTE:Using the“3”range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
“L”Low
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
NOTE:The vehicle computer will over ride Overdrive
and“3”Drive ranges by changing shift points if the
transmission operating temperature exceeds acceptable
limits. This is done to prevent transmission damage due
to overheating.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving: failure to do so can lead to brake failure, and
an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems lose normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. There will be some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This may be evident
314 STARTING AND OPERATING