key DODGE CARAVAN 2009 Repair Manual
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 410
If Your Engine Overheats................ 410
Jacking And Tire Changing............... 412
▫Jack Location....................... 412Jump-Starting Procedure................. 424
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................. 427
Towing A Disabled Vehicle............... 427
▫Towing With The Ignition Key........... 427
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FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then move the shift lever back and forth
between REVERSE and DRIVE. Usually the least amount
of accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking
motion without spinning the wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than
35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL, the distance to
be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km), and
the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h).
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmis-
sion gear failure.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 427
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•If the transmission is not operative, or if the vehicle is
to be towed more than 100 miles (160 km), the vehicle
must be towed with the front wheels off the ground.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling-type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method of
towing is with a flatbed truck.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position, not in
the LOCK or ACC positions.
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
Towing Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
428 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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filler cap message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until aclickingsound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the
message off. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started. If the problem
is detected twice in a row, the system will turn on the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving the prob-
lem will turn the MIL light off. Take your vehicle in to an
authorized dealer.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the MalfunctionIndicator Light (MIL) is functioning and is not on when
the engine is running, and that the OBD II system is
ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery, or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
436 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see the MIL symbol come on as part of a normal bulb
check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isnot readyand you should
notproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
isready, and you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL is illuminated during
normal vehicle operation, you should have your vehicle
serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M station
can fail your vehicle because the MIL is on with the
engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPARparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPARparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437
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Automatic Headlights.................... 174
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 310
Automatic Transaxle...................... 327
Adding Fluid......................... 459
Fluid Level Check...................... 459
Interlock System....................... 328
Selection Of Lubricant................458,481
Shifting............................. 329
Special Additives...................... 460
Automatic Transmission................458,460
Adding Fluid......................459,460
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 460
Fluid Change......................... 460
Fluid Level Check...................... 459
Fluid Type........................458,481
Battery............................... 444
Gas Caution.......................... 445
Jump Starting......................... 424Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 26
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 177
Blind Spot Monitoring.................... 106
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 448
B-Pillar Location........................ 354
Brake Assist System...................... 346
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 344
Brake Fluid............................ 481
Brake, Parking.......................... 339
Brake System........................343,456
Fluid Check.......................... 456
Warning Light........................ 238
Brakes.............................343,456
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 328
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 93
Bulb Replacement....................... 475
Bulbs, Light............................ 474
Calibration, Compass..................251,257
INDEX 513
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Ignition............................... 14
Key ...............................12,14
Ignition Key Removal..................... 14
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Infant Restraint........................81,83
Information Center, Vehicle................. 252
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 102
Instrument Cluster....................234,236
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 233
Instrument Panel Cover................... 463
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 465
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 467
Interior Appearance Care.................. 463
Interior Lights.......................172,174
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 412
Jack Operation.......................... 412Jump Starting.......................... 424
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Key-In Reminder......................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 66
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 56
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren).............................. 86
Latches
Hood............................... 170
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 378
Life of Tires............................ 364
Liftgate................................ 49
Lights..............................95,172
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Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 63
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 299
Remote Starting System.................... 28
Removable Floor Console.................. 222
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 437
Replacement Tires....................... 365
Reporting Safety Defects................... 506
Resetting Oil Change Indicator.........241,248,255
Restraint, Head......................... 146
Restraints, Child.......................81,89
Restraints, Infant......................... 81
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 427
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 225
Rotation, Tires.......................... 369
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 94
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 95Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 506
Safety, Exhaust Gas....................... 53
Safety Information, Tire................... 349
Safety Tips............................. 94
Satellite Radio.......................291,297
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 293
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 484
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 466
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 63
Seat Belts.............................. 55
Adjustable Shoulder Belt.................. 61
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage........ 61
And Pregnant Women................... 64
Child Restraint.......................81,83
Extender............................. 64
Front Seat............................ 56
Pretensioners.......................... 62
Rear Seat............................. 56
Seats................................. 143
INDEX 525
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Adjustment.......................... 144
Cleaning............................ 464
Easy Entry........................... 153
Fold in Floor (Stow nGo) ................ 149
Heated............................. 147
Lumbar Support....................... 149
Memory............................. 166
Power.............................. 145
Reclining............................ 148
Stow n Go (Fold in Floor)................ 149
Tilting.............................. 153
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)..........451,480
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................... 15
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement................... 16
Service Assistance....................... 503
Service Contract......................... 505Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator).................... 242
Service Manuals........................ 507
Setting the Clock..................263,267,276
Settings, Personal........................ 259
Shoulder Belts........................... 56
Signals, Turn................177,178,237,476,477
Sirius Backseat TV™..................... 297
Sliding Door............................ 42
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 334
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 367
Snow Tires............................ 368
Spare Tire.......................361,362,413
Speed Control (Cruise Control).............. 183
Speedometer........................... 237
Starting............................... 324
Automatic Transmission................. 324
Cold Weather......................... 325
Engine Fails to Start.................... 325
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Automatic........................... 327
Operation........................... 327
Selection of Lubricant................458,481
Transmission........................... 458
Automatic........................... 458
Fluid............................458,481
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 197
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 21
Transporting Pets........................ 90
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 364
Trip Computer.......................... 248
Trip Odometer.......................... 240
Turn Signals...................178,237,476,477
UCI Connector......................... 286
UConnect(Hands-Free Phone).............. 115
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 509Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 286
Universal Joints......................... 448
Universal Transmitter..................... 197
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 378
Upholstery Care........................ 463
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 106
Variance, Compass....................250,258
Vehicle Certification Label................. 389
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 6
Vehicle Loading...................355,389,391
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 7
Vehicle Storage.......................319,474
Video Entertainment System™
(Rear Seat Video System).................. 297
Warning Flasher, Hazard.................. 410
Warning Lights (Instrument
Cluster Description)...................... 236
Warnings and Cautions..................... 6
INDEX 529
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