weight DODGE CARAVAN 2011 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.
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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a injury collision. Fol-
low these guidelines to make your trailer towing as
safe as possible:
•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 a collision.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
•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
(Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
3. GAWR
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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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 MOPARGlass 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.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
498 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®)........... 197
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............416,418,468
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 408
Conserving ......................... 274
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 408
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 408
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 259
Fuel .............................. 256
Speedometer ........................ 256
Tachometer ......................... 249
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 461
Gearshift .............................. 358
General Information .................. 17,28,407
Glass Cleaning .......................... 498
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............419,422
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............419,422
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) ............. 127Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 363
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 438
Head Restraints ......................... 135
Headlights Bulb Replacement .................... 507
Cleaning ........................... 498
Lights On Reminder .................. 166
Passing ............................ 170
Replacing .......................... 507
Time Delay ......................... 166
Washers ........................... 166
Heated Mirrors ......................... 116
Heated Seats ........................... 130
Heater ............................... 321
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 353
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 170
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Tires ...........................104,386,537
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 393
Air Pressure ........................ 386
Chains ............................ 395
Changing .......................... 439
Compact Spare ...................... 390
Flat Changing ....................... 453
General Information .................. 386
High Speed ......................... 388
Inflation Pressures .................... 387
Jacking ......................... 439,448
Life of Tires ........................ 393
Load Capacity .................... 382,383
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 398
Pressure Warning Light ................ 253
Quality Grading ..................... 537
Radial ............................ 389
Replacement ........................ 394
Rotation ........................... 397 Safety
.......................... 377,386
Sizes ............................. 378
Snow Tires ......................... 397
Spare Tire .......................... 441
Spinning ........................... 392
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 393
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 428
Towing ............................... 421
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 462
Guide ............................. 427
Recreational ........................ 436
Weight ............................ 427
Traction Control ......................... 371
Traction Control Switch ................... 371
Trailer Towing .......................... 421
Cooling System Tips .................. 435
Hitches ............................ 426
Minimum Requirements ................ 429
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 428
556 INDEX
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Wiring............................ 432
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 427
Trailer Weight .......................... 427
Transaxle Selection of Lubricant ...............492,513
Transmission ........................... 492
Automatic ....................... 354,492
Fluid .......................... 492,513
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 197
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
Transporting Pets ........................ 97
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 393
Trip Computer .......................... 262
Trip Odometer .......................... 249
Turn Signals ................... 170,249,508,509
UCI Connector ......................... 310 Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone)
............. 127
Umbrella Holder ........................ 220
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 537
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 310
Universal Transmitter ..................... 197
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... 408
Upholstery Care ........................ 497
Vanity Mirrors .......................... 117
Variance, Compass .................... 264,278
Vehicle Certification Label ................. 418
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6
Vehicle Loading ................... 383,418,421
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .............. 7
Vehicle Storage ....................... 343,506
Video Entertainment System™
(Rear Seat Video System) .................. 317
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 127
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