light DODGE CARAVAN 2011 Owner's Manual

It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates
are possible, based on the collision type and severity. The
steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of
the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as
the air bags inflate to their full size. The air bags fully
inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes. The air bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
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A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the side
curtain air bag. The inflating side curtain air bag pushes
the outside edge of the headliner out of the way and
covers the window. The air bag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one-quarter of the time that it takes
to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain air bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain air bag is only about 3-1/2 in (9 cm) thick when
it is inflated.
Because air bag sensors estimate deceleration over time,
vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators of
whether or not an air bag should have deployed.
NOTE:In a rollover the pretensioners and/or SAB and
SABIC air bags may deploy on both sides of the vehicle.Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sensors can aid the ORC
in determining appropriate response to impact events.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the follow-
ing functions:
•Cut off fuel to the engine.
•Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or
until the ignition key is turned off.
•Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
•Unlock the doors automatically.
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be
serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your autho-
rized dealer.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free. If any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
•The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on for
approximately four to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned to ON/RUN.
•The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the
approximate four to eight-second interval.
•The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving.
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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.
If you are required to drive with the liftgate open, make
sure that all windows are closed and the climate control
BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT use the
recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
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authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
WARNING!
Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious per-
sonal injury.
•Always make sure that floor mats are properly
attached to the floor mat fasteners.
•Never place or install floor mats or other floor
coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and inter-
fering with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
•Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on
top of already installed floor mats. Additional
floor mats and other coverings will reduce the size
of the pedal area and interfere with the pedals.(Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Al-
ways properly reinstall and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning.
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation 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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
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Seats .............................. 127
â–« Power Seats — If Equipped ............. 128
â–« Power Lumbar — If Equipped ........... 130
â–« Heated Seats — If Equipped ............ 130
â–« Manual Front/Second Row Seat Adjuster . . . 133
â–« Manual Reclining Seats — If Equipped ..... 134
â–« Head Restraints ..................... 135
â–« Stow ’n Go Seating — If Equipped ....... 139
â–« Quad Seats — If Equipped ............. 146
â–« Second Row Bench Seat — If Equipped .... 152
â–« Third Row Power Recline — If Equipped . . . 153
â–« Third Row Power Folding Seat — If
Equipped .......................... 153 â–«
Manually Folding Third Row Seats — If
Equipped .......................... 156
â–« Plastic Grocery Bag Retainer Hooks ....... 159
 Driver Memory Seat — If Equipped ........ 159
â–« Setting Memory Positions And Linking RKE
Transmitter To Memory ................ 160
â–« Easy Entry/Exit Seat (Available With
Memory Seat Only) ................... 162
 To Open And Close The Hood ............ 163
 Lights ............................. 165
â–« Headlight Switch .................... 165
â–« Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ...... 165
â–« Headlights On With Wipers — If Equipped . . 166
â–« Headlight Delay — If Equipped .......... 166
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â–«Lights-On Reminder .................. 166
â–« Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 167
â–« Front Fog Lights — If Equipped .......... 167
â–« Dimmer Controls .................... 167
â–« Multifunction Lever .................. 169
â–« Turn Signals ........................ 170
â–« Lane Change Assist ................... 170
â–« High/Low Beam Switch ............... 170
â–« Flash-To-Pass ....................... 170
â–« Battery Protection .................... 171
 Windshield Wiper And Washers ........... 171
â–« Intermittent Wiper System .............. 172
â–« Windshield Wiper Operation ............ 172â–«
Windshield Washers .................. 172
â–« Mist Feature ........................ 173
â–« Rear Wiper And Washer ............... 173
â–« Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped ....... 173
 Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column .......... 175
 Heated Steering Wheel — If Equipped ...... 176
 Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped .......... 177
 Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ..... 178
â–« To Activate ......................... 179
â–« To Set A Desired Speed ................ 180
â–« To Deactivate ....................... 180
â–« To Resume Speed .................... 180
â–« To Vary The Speed Setting .............. 180
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â–«To Accelerate For Passing .............. 181
 Parksense Rear Park Assist — If Equipped . . . 182
â–« Parksense Sensors................... 182
â–« Parksense Warning Display ............ 182
â–« Parksense Display................... 183
â–« Enabling/Disabling Parksense .......... 187
â–« Service The Parksense Rear Park Assist
System ............................ 187
â–« Cleaning The Parksense System......... 188
â–« Parksense System Usage Precautions ...... 188
 Parkview Rear Back Up Camera — If
Equipped ............................ 191
â–« Turning Parkview On Or Off — With
Navigation/Multimedia Radio ........... 192â–«
Turning Parkview On Or Off — Without
Navigation/Multimedia Radio ........... 193
 Overhead Consoles .................... 193
â–« Front Overhead Console ............... 193
â–« Courtesy/Interior Lighting ............. 194
â–« Sunglass Storage (Non-Sunroof Only) ...... 194
â–« Rear Courtesy/Reading Lights — If
Equipped .......................... 196
â–« Rear Overhead Consoles — If Equipped .... 196
 Garage Door Opener — If Equipped ........ 197
â–« Programming HomeLink .............. 199
â–« Gate Operator/Canadian Programming .... 201
â–« Using HomeLink ................... 202
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â–«Smoker’s Package Kit — If Equipped ...... 217
 Storage ............................. 217
â–« Glove Compartments ................. 217
â–« Door Trim Panel Storage ............... 219
â–« Driver Seatback Storage — If Equipped .... 219
â–« Umbrella Holder ..................... 220
â–« Second Row Seat Storage Bins —
If Equipped ........................ 220
â–« Storage Bin Safety Warning ............. 222
â–« Coat Hooks ........................ 223
â–« Cargo Area Storage ................... 224
 Console Features ...................... 224 â–«
Basic Console ....................... 225
â–« Premium Console — If Equipped ......... 226
â–« Super Console — If Equipped ........... 229
 Cargo Area Features ................... 231
â–« Rechargeable Flashlight ................ 231
 Rear Window Features .................. 233
â–« Rear Window Defroster ................ 233
 Rear Load-Leveling System — If Equipped . . . 234
 Roof Luggage Rack — If Equipped ......... 234
â–« Deploying The Crossbars ............... 235
 Sun Screens — If Equipped .............. 240
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