transmission DODGE CARAVAN 2007 4.G Owners Manual

US or Metric
Pressing the “STEP” button when in this display selects
US or Metric. The overhead console and climate control
displays will be in the selected units.
Service Interval
When this feature is selected a service interval between
2,000 miles (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (9 600 km) in 500
mile (800 km) increments may be selected. Pressing the
“STEP” button when in this display will select distances
between 2,000 miles (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (9 600
km) in 500 mile (800 km) increments.
Reset Service Distance (Displays Only if Service
Interval was Changed)
When this feature is selected the current accumulated
service distance can be reset to the newly selected service
interval. Pressing the “STEP” button when in this display
will select “Yes” or “No.”
Use Factory Settings
If “Yes” is selected, all of the customer programmable
features will be set to the factory default and not dis-
played. If “No” is selected you can program the Vehicle
Information Center to your own personal preferences.
Auto Door Locks
When this feature is selected, all doors and the liftgate
lock automatically when the speed of the vehicle reaches
18 mph (29 km/h). Pressing the “STEP” button when in
this display will select “Yes” or “No.”
Auto Unlock On Exit (Available Only When the
AUTO DOOR LOCKS Feature is Turned On)
When this feature is selected all the vehicle’s doors will
unlock whenever any door is opened if the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in “P” (Park) or “N”
(Neutral) position. Pressing the “STEP” button when in
this display will select “Yes” or “No.”
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a danger-
ous gas. Do not run the vehicle’s exhaust while
training the transceiver. Exhaust gas can cause seri-
ous injury or death.
WARNING!
Your motorized door or gate will open and close
while you are training the Universal Transceiver. Do
not train the transceiver if people or pets are in the
path of the door or gate. A moving door or gate can
cause serious injury or death to people and pets or
damage to objects.
Programming HomeLink
NOTE: When programming a garage door opener, it is
advised to park outside the garage. Some vehicles may
require the ignition switch to be turned to the second
(Accessory) position for programming and/or operation
of HomeLink. It is also recommended that a new battery
be placed in the hand-held transmitter of the device
being programmed to HomeLink for more efficient train-
ing and accurate transmission of the radio-frequency
signal.
1. Press and hold the two outer HomeLink buttons, and
release only when the indicator light begins to flash or
the EVIC display shows “Channels Cleared” (after 20
seconds). Do nothold the buttons for longer than 30
seconds and do notrepeat Step One to program a second
and/or third hand-held transmitter to the remaining two
HomeLink buttons.
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Canadian Programming/Gate Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter sig-
nals to time-out (or quit) after several seconds of
transmission which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during programming.
Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to time-outin the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having difficulties
programming a gate operator by using the Program-
ming  procedures (regardless of where you live), replace
 Programming HomeLink Step Three with the follow-
ing:
NOTE: If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device during the
 cycling process to prevent possible overheating.
3. Continue to press and hold the HomeLink button
while you press and release every two seconds cycle
your hand-held transmitter until the frequency signal has successfully been accepted by HomeLink. (The indicator
light will flash slowly and then rapidly.) Proceed with
 Programming
Step Four to complete.
Using HomeLink
To operate, simply press and release the programmed
HomeLink button. Activation will now occur for the
trained device (i.e. garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting,
etc.). For convenience, the hand-held transmitter of the
device may also be used at any time. In the event that
there are still programming difficulties or questions,
contact HomeLink at: www.homelink.com or 1-800-355-
3515 .
Erasing HomeLink Buttons
To erase programming from the three buttons (individual
buttons cannot be erased but can be reprogrammed-
note below), follow the step noted:
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
3

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 LightThis 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217
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. 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.
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

you understand and save you concern about these “ap-
parent” malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE: The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures .....................311
▫ Automatic Transmission ................312
▫ Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C) ........312
▫ Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below

20°F / –29°C) .......................312
▫ High Altitude Starting
(Above 4,000 Ft ./1219m) ..............312
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................313
▫ After Starting ........................314

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........315

Automatic Transmission ..................315
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......316
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System .............................316
▫ Four Speed Automatic Transmission ........316

Parking Brake .........................319

Brake System ..........................321
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .....321

Traction Control — If Equipped ............324
5

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C)
1. Do not depress the accelerator.
2. Turn and hold the ignition key in the START position
and release when engine starts.
3. If engine does not start after 3 seconds, depress the
accelerator lightly (while still cranking the engine).
4. If engine does not start after 15 seconds, turn the
ignition key off.
5. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat step s1—5.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below
20°F /
–29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting (Above 4,000 ft. / 1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
5

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress the brake
pedal first, before moving the gear selector out of PARK.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or ON positions.
NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING