weight DODGE CARAVAN 2010 Owner's Manual

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or authorized dealer-installed
options, must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire Safety Information/Tire
and Loading Information Placard” in “Starting and Op-
erating” for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components, the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR or GCWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible: (Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
(Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
4. Trailer tongue weight rating for that trailer hitch.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of trailer tongue weight
as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements – Tires
•
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
•Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tire
replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes
•
Donot interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
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solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean
your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lightweight
and less susceptible to stone breakage than glass head-
lights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MOPAR
Glass Cleaner or equivalent or any com-
mercial household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abra-
sive type cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside
rear window equipped with electric defrosters or the
right rear quarter window equipped with the radio
antenna. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instruments
that may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rearview mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
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GaugesCoolant Temperature ................... 227
Fuel ............................... 227
Speedometer ......................... 228
Tachometer .......................... 230
Gearshift .............................. 326
General Information .................. 16,26,372
Glass Cleaning .......................... 463
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 144
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............384,388
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............384,387
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) ............. 122
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 333
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 406
Head Restraints ......................... 129 Headlights
............................ 157
Bulb Replacement ...................... 474
Cleaning ............................ 463
Lights On Reminder .................... 159
Passing ............................. 162
Replacing ........................... 474
Time Delay .......................... 158
Washers ............................. 158
Heated Mirrors ......................... 113
Heated Seats ........................... 128
Heater ............................... 298
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 323
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 161
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 392
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 186
Hood Release .......................... 153
Hook, Coat ............................ 207
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Life of Tires.......................... 361
Load Capacity ..................... 351,352
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 364
Pressure Warning Light .................. 237
Quality Grading ....................... 507
Radial .............................. 358
Replacement ......................... 361
Rotation ............................ 363
Safety ........................... 345,355
Sizes ............................... 347
Snow Tires ........................... 363
Spare Tire ........................... 409
Spinning ............................ 359
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 360
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 395
Towing ............................... 387
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 426
Guide .............................. 393
Recreational ....................... 403,427Weight
.............................. 393
Traction Control ......................... 341
Traction Control Switch ................... 341
Trailer Towing .......................... 387
Cooling System Tips .................... 403
Hitches ............................. 392
Minimum Requirements ................. 396
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 395
Wiring .............................. 400
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 393
Trailer Weight .......................... 393
Transaxle ............................. 324
Automatic ........................... 324
Operation ........................... 324
Selection of Lubricant ................456,479
Transmission ........................... 456
Automatic ........................... 456
Fluid ............................ 456,479
526 INDEX
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