parking DODGE CARAVAN 2009 Owners Manual
Page 15 of 534
Integrated Ignition Key
The integrated ignition key operates the ignition switch.
It also contains the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter and a Valet Key, which stores in the rear of the RKE
transmitter.
The Valet Key allows for entry into the vehicle should the
battery in the vehicle or the RKE transmitter go dead. The
Valet Key is also for locking the glove box. You can keep
the Valet Key with you when valet parking.
To remove the Valet Key from the RKE transmitter, slide
the mechanical latch at the top of the RKE transmitter
sideways with your thumb and then pull the key out
with your other hand.NOTE:You can insert the double-sided Valet Key into
the lock cylinder with either side up.
Valet Key Removal
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 30 of 534
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Remote Starting system conveniently starts the en-
gine from outside the vehicle by using the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter while maintaining the
Vehicle Security Alarm system. The Remote Starting
system has a targeted range of 328 ft (100 m). In order to
Remote Start your vehicle, the hood, liftgate, and all the
doors must be closed and the shift lever in PARK.
NOTE:The Remote Starting system is available only on
vehicles with automatic transaxles.
How to Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will Remote Start:
•Shift lever in PARK
•Doors closed
•Hood closed
•Trunk closed
•Hazard switch off
•Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed)
•Ignition key removed from ignition switch
•Battery at an acceptable charge level, and
•RKE PANIC button not pressed.
To Enter Remote Start Mode
Press and release the REMOTE START button
on the RKE transmitter twice within five sec-
onds. The parking lights will flash and the horn
will sound twice (if programmed). Then, the
engine will start and the vehicle will remain in the
Remote Start mode for a 15-minute cycle.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com
Page 79 of 534
the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the elec-
tronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a
court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant).
A copy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity
upon request. General data that does not identify par-
ticular vehicles or crashes may be released for incorpo-
ration in aggregate crash databases, such as those main-
tained by the U.S. government and various states. Data of
a potentially sensitive nature, such as would identify a
particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be treated confi-
dentially. Confidential data will not be disclosed by the
manufacturer to any third party except when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved.
2. Used in defense of litigation involving the manufac-
turers product.3. Requested by police under a legal warrant.
4. Otherwise required by law.
Data parameters that may be recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
•Airbag disable light status (if equipped)
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 97 of 534
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 95
2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 100 of 534
▫Things You Should Know About Your
UConnectSystem.................... 134
▫General Information................... 143
Seats............................... 143
▫Manual Front And Second Row
Seat Adjuster........................ 144
▫Eight–Way Driver And Passenger Power Seat
— If Equipped....................... 145
▫Adjustable Head Restraints.............. 146
▫Heated Seats — If Equipped............. 147
▫Manual Reclining Seats — If Equipped..... 148
▫Manual Lumbar Adjust Lever —
If Equipped......................... 149
▫Stow ’n Go Seating — If Equipped........ 149▫Easy Access Seating................... 153
▫Swivel ’n Go Premium Seating — If
Equipped.......................... 154
▫Second Row Bench Seat — If Equipped..... 161
▫Third Row Power Seat — If Equipped...... 162
Driver Memory Seat System — If Equipped . . . 166
▫Setting Memory Positions And Linking RKE
Transmitter To Memory................ 167
▫Easy Entry/Exit Seat (Available With
Memory Seat Only)................... 169
To Open And Close The Hood............. 170
Lights.............................. 172
▫Interior Lighting..................... 172
▫Parking Lights....................... 174
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com
Page 114 of 534
The BSM system will not alert you of objects that are
traveling in the opposite direction of the vehicle in
adjacent lanes.WARNING!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an aid to
help detect objects in the blind spot zones. The BSM
system is not designed to detect pedestrians, bicy-
clists, or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped
with the BSM system, always check your vehicles
mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use your turn
signal before changing lanes. Failure to do so can
result in serious injury or death.
Rear Cross Path — If Equipped
The Rear Cross Path (RCP) feature is intended to aid the
driver when backing out of parking spaces where their
vision of oncoming vehicles may be blocked. Proceed
slowly and cautiously out of the parking space until the
rear end of the vehicle is exposed. The RCP system will
then have a clear view of the cross traffic and if an
oncoming vehicle is detected, alert the driver.
Opposing Traffic
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com
Page 115 of 534
RCP monitors the rear detection zones on both sides of
the vehicle, for objects that are moving toward the side of
the vehicle with a minimum speed of approximately 1 to
2 mph (1 km/h to 3 km/h), to objects moving a maxi-
mum of approximately 10 mph (16 km/h), such as in
parking lot situations.NOTE:In a parking lot situation, oncoming vehicles can
be obscured by vehicles parked on either side. If the
sensors are blocked by other structures or vehicles, the
system will not be able to alert the driver.
When RCP is on and the vehicle is in REVERSE, the
driver is alerted using both the visual and audible
alarms, including radio muting.
WARNING!
RCP is not a Back Up Aid system. It is intended to be
used to help a driver detect an oncoming vehicle in a
parking lot situation. Drivers must be careful when
backing up, even when using RCP. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you, and
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots before back-
ing up. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.
RCP Detection Zones
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 113
3
ProCarManuals.com
Page 175 of 534
The interior lights will automatically turn off in approxi-
mately 10 minutes for the first activation and 90 seconds
every activation thereafter until the engine is started, if
one of the following occur:
•A door, sliding door or the liftgate is left open
•Any overhead reading light is left on
NOTE:The key must be out of the ignition switch or the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position for this
feature to operate.
Dome Light Positions
Rotate the dimmer control completely
upward to the second detent (extreme
top position) to turn on the interior
lights, except the front reading/
courtesy lights. The interior lights will
remain on when the dimmer control is
in this position.
Interior Lighting Defeat (Off)
Rotate the dimmer control to the off
position (extreme bottom). The inte-
rior lights will remain off when the
doors or liftgate are open.
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness Feature)
Rotate the dimmer control to the first
detent. This feature brightens the
odometer, radio and overhead dis-
plays when the parking lights or head-
lights are on.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 173
3
ProCarManuals.com
Page 176 of 534
Dimmer Control
With the parking lights or headlights
on, rotating the dimmer control for the
interior lights on the instrument panel
upward will increase the brightness of
the instrument panel lights.
Halo Lights — If Equipped
Halo lights are strategically placed soft lighting that help
to illuminate specific areas to aid the occupants in
locating specific features while driving at night.
To activate the Halo lights, push in the Halo
switch control knob. Pressing the switch con-
trol knob in a second time will turn the Halo
lights off.
Parking Lights
Turn the headlight switch knob to the first detent
to turn on the parking lights. This also turns on all
instrument panel lighting.
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch knob to the second
detent to turn the headlights and parking lights
on. This also turns on all instrument panel
lighting.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the dimmer control up or down.
Automatic Headlights — If Equipped
This system automatically turns your headlights on or off
based on ambient light levels. To turn the system on, turn
the headlight switch to the extreme counterclockwise
position aligning the indicator with the“A”on the
headlight switch. When the system is on, the Headlight
Time Delay feature is also on. This means your headlights
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com
Page 177 of 534
will stay on for up to 90 seconds after you turn the
ignition switch OFF. To turn the Automatic System off,
turn the headlight switch clockwise to the“O”off
position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come on in the Automatic mode.Headlights On With Wipers — If Equipped
When your headlights are in the Automatic mode and the
engine is running, the headlights will automatically turn
on when the wiper system is also turned on. Headlights
on when windshield wipers are on may be found on
vehicles equipped with an automatic headlight system.
Refer to the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
in Section 4 under “Personal Settings (customer-
programmable features)” for more information.
Headlight Delay — If Equipped
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for up to 90 seconds after exiting your vehicle.
To activate the delay feature, turn OFF the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The 90 second delay inter-
val begins when headlight switch is turned off. If the
headlights or parking lights are turned back on or the
ignition switch is turned ON, the delay will be cancelled.
Automatic Headlights
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
3
ProCarManuals.com