ignition DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2007 Repair Manual

Operating Tips A/C Air Filter — If Equipped
On vehicles equipped with Automatic Temperature Con-
trol (ATC), the climate control system filters out dust and
pollen from the air. Refer to section 7 “Air Conditioning”
for filter replacement instructions.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation — Manual
Temperature Control Only
The controls are located on the Manual Tempera-
ture Control head above the front blower control.
When the button is pressed and released and the
Ignition Switch in ON, the rear wiper will operate at a
fixed interval of about 8 seconds. As vehicle speed
increases, the time delay will shorten. The LED indicator
will light when the wiper is ON. Pressing and releasing
the button again with turn the wiper off. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301
4

Rear Wiper Operation — Automatic Temperature
Control Only
Press this button to have the rear wiper have a
continuous wipe. When the ignition switch is in the
ON/RUN position, the rear wiper switch position as well
as an indicator light will show that the wiper is ON.
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation — Automatic
Temperature Control Only
When this button is pressed and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the rear wiper will
operate at a fixed interval of about 8 seconds. As
vehicle speed increases, the time delay will shorten. The
switch position as well as an indicator light will show
when the wiper is ON. Rear Washer Operation — Automatic
Temperature Control Only
Press and hold the button as long as spray is
desired. If the switch is depressed while the wipers
are on, the wipers will operate for a few seconds
after the switch is released then resume the previously set
mode of intermittent wiper or continuous wipe. If the
switch is depressed when the wipers are off, the wipers
will operate for two cycles, then turn off.
NOTE: The washers will stop spraying if the switch is
pressed longer than 10 seconds.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. It is located in the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger side and
should be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 303
4

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................311
 Automatic Transmission ................312
 Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C) ........312
 Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below

20°F / –29°C) .......................312
 High Altitude Starting
(Above 4,000 Ft ./1219m) ..............312
 If Engine Fails To Start .................313
 After Starting ........................314

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........315
Automatic Transmission ..................315
 Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......316
 Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System .............................316
 Four Speed Automatic Transmission ........316

Parking Brake .........................319

Brake System ..........................321
 Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .....321

Traction Control — If Equipped ............324
5

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C)
1. Do not depress the accelerator.
2. Turn and hold the ignition key in the START position
and release when engine starts.
3. If engine does not start after 3 seconds, depress the
accelerator lightly (while still cranking the engine).
4. If engine does not start after 15 seconds, turn the
ignition key off.
5. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat step s1—5.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P). Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below
20°F /
–29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting (Above 4,000 ft. / 1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.312 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress the brake
pedal first, before moving the gear selector out of PARK. Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or ON positions.
NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.316 STARTING AND OPERATING

occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
NOTE: The vehicle computer will over ride Overdrive
and “3” Drive ranges by changing shift points if the
transmission operating temperature exceeds acceptable
limits. This is done to prevent transmission damage due
to overheating.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE: This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
Park position. To release the parking brake, pull out on
the parking brake release located on the left side of the
instrument panel. Parking Brake Release STARTING AND OPERATING 319
5

Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and an audible
chime will be activated when one or more of the
four active road tire pressures are low. The audible chime
will sound once every ignition cycle for each low tire
condition that it detects.
Should this occur you should stop as soon as possible,
check the inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle,
and inflate each tire to the pressure recommended by the
vehicle tire pressure placard. The system will automati-
cally update and the Tire Pressure Monitor System Tell-
tale Lamp will extinguish once the updated tire pres-
sure(s) have been received.
NOTE: The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10
minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this infor-
mation. NOTE: A low spare or compact tire pressure will not
cause the Tire Pressure Monitor System Telltale Lamp to
illuminate or the chime to sound.
Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System with
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels (EXCLUDING THE SPARE
TIRE). Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the
valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Re-
ceiver Module.
NOTE: It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and too main-
tain the proper pressure.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) consists of the
following components: STARTING AND OPERATING 349
5

Service Tire System Soon
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will flash on
and off for 60 seconds in the instrument cluster, and an
audible chime will be activated when one or more of the
four active road tire pressures are low.
In addition the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) will display a “SERVICE TIRE SYSTEM SOON”
text message. The flash cycle will repeat every ten
minutes, without an audible chime, until the condition no
longer exists. The flash cycle sequence will repeat and an
audible chime will sound once every ignition cycle for
each condition that it detects.
NOTE: If a temporary spare tire is in use and none of
the remaining 3 active road tire pressures are low, a
“SERVICE TIRE SYSTEM SOON textual message will
appear in the EVIC after 10 minutes of driving, CAUTION!The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has
been optimized for the original equipment tires and
wheels. TPMS pressures have been established for
the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable
system operation or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not of the same
size, type, and/or style. After-market wheels can
cause sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a
can, or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped
with a Tire Pressure Monitor System, as damage to
the sensors may result. STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................384

If Your Engine Overheats .................385

Jacking And Tire Changing ................386
 Jacking Instructions — Stow ’n Go Seating . . . 387
 Jacking Instructions — Non Stow ’n Go
Seating .............................399

Jump-Starting Procedure ..................405

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................407
Towing A Disabled Vehicle ................408
 With Ignition Key .....................408
 Without The Ignition Key ...............409
 Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ............................410
 Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly .........................410
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The hazard flasher switch is located in the center of
the instrument panel above the radio.
To engage the Hazard Warning Flashers, depress the
switch on the instrument panel. When the Hazard Warn-
ing Switch is activated, all directional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emer-
gency. Push the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning Flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flash-
ers may wear down your battery.Hazard Flasher Switch384 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES