DODGE CARAVAN 2004 4.G Owners Manual

WARNING!
If not properly latched, the bench seats could be-
come loose. Personal injuries could result. After
reinstalling these seats, be sure the red indicator
button on the release handles return into the
handles.
Plastic Grocery Bag Retainer
Retainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the seatbacks of all rear seats and
some front seats. The floor supports the partial weight of
the bagged goods.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91
3

Rear-Most Bench Seat
The seat position can be adjusted fore and aft to any of
three positions - normal (rearward), intermediate, and
full forward. In this way varying needs for legroom and
cargo space behind the seat can be accommodated.
The release lever is below the seat and is accessible from
the front and back of the seat.
Rear Seat Descriptions
7 Passenger Model Ð 2± passenger bench or bucket seats
in the second position and 3± passenger bench seat or
50/50 bench seat in the third position. All rear seats are
removable.
Rear Bench Seating Flexibility
The 3± passenger bench seat may be adjusted to any of 3
positions on its tracks while installed in the vehicle. The
bench seat may also be moved to the second seating
position or removed from the vehicle.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

1. Normal SeatingÐ
The 2nd and 3rd row seats are installed. The 3rd row
bench seat is in the full rear position on the tracks.
2. Increased StorageÐ
Increased storage area is provided by adjusting 3rd row
bench seat to the intermediate track position. Rear seat-
ing for 3 passengers (children) is still provided.3. Additional StorageÐ
The 2nd and 3rd row seats installed. The 3rd row bench
seat is in the full forward position on the tracks and one
or both of the rear seatbacks are folded down.
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3

4. Auxiliary SeatingÐ
The middle quad seats are removed from the vehicle. The
3± passenger bench seat can be installed in either the
second or third row.
Rear Quad and 50/50 Seating Flexibility
The seats may be used with either or both seatbacks
folded forward for additional storage space, or with
either or both seats removed from the vehicle. Both 50/50
seats may also be moved to the 2nd row seating position
when the middle quad seats are removed.1. Normal SeatingÐ
The 2nd and 3rd row seats are installed. Both seatbacks
are in the upright position.
2. Increased StorageÐ
Increased storage area is provided by folding either or
both seatbacks. With one seatback folded forward, rear
seating for another occupant is still provided. Either or
both seats may Fold and Tumble forward for more
storage space. For maximum storage, remove the head
restraint and place on the seat cushion, then fold the
seatback over the head restraint by lifting lever ª1º and
tumble the seat forward by lifting lever ª2º.
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
Driving with the 2nd-row seats in the tumbled position is
not recommended when passengers occupy the 3rd row
seats. This position is intended only to increase available
cargo area without requiring removal of the seats.
Do not leave the head restraint stored between the
cushions for extended periods of time or inadvertent
damage to the seat cover or head restraint may occur.
3. Additional StorageÐ
The 2nd row seats are installed in the middle seating
position. Either or both of the rear seats are removed
from the vehicle.4. Auxiliary SeatingÐ
The 2nd row seats are removed from the vehicle. Then
the third row seats can be installed in either the rear or
middle seat position.
If the seat is not occupied, the seatback can be folded
forward to obtain additional cargo space. To fold the
seatback forward, pull the handle labeled ª1º located
behind the seat on the passenger side.
The seatback will latch in the folded position. To assure
the seatback is latched in the folded position, additional
downward pressure on the seatback may be required
when folding.
The same lever is used to return the seatback to the
upright position.
NOTE:The head restraints are removable, if needed. To
remove them, press the release tab on the right side of the
base of the head restraint.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
3

WARNING!
²Not all head restraints in this vehicle are the same.
Head restraints from one seating position should
not be removed and installed in any other seating
position. In a collision, serious injury or death may
result if the proper head restraint is not installed on
each seat.
²The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle should not
be used as a play area by children. They could be
seriously injured in a collision. Children should be
seated and using the proper restraint system.
²It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
²Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
²Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Next, push to the left the safety catch located under the
front edge of the hood, near the center.
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position.To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approximately 30
cm (12 inches) and then drop it. This should secure both
latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully
closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97
3

LIGHTS
All of the lights, except the hazard warning lights, are
controlled by switches to the left of the steering column
on the instrument panel.
Interior Lights
Interior lights are turned on when a door or liftgate is
opened, the keyless entry transmitter is activated, or
when the dimmer control is moved to the extreme top.
NOTE:On long wheel base vehicles the dome lights for
the second row seat passenger's can be turned on or off
by pressing the lens. The lights will remain on until the
lens is pressed a second time, so be sure they have been
turned off before leaving the vehicle.
The interior lights will automatically turn off in about 15
minutes if any of the following occur.
²A door, sliding door or the liftgate is left open.
²Any overhead reading light is left on.
²If the dimmer control is in the extreme top position.
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Park Lights
Turn this switch to the first detent to turn the park
lights on. This also turns on all instrument panel
lighting.
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to the 2nd detent to
turn the headlights and park 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.
Dimmer Control
With the park lights or headlights
on, rotating the dimmer control
for the interior lights on the in-
strument panel upward will in-
crease the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights.
Dome Light Position
Rotate the dimmer control com-
pletely upward to the second de-
tent (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.
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3

Interior light Defeat (OFF)
Rotate the dimmer control to the
OFF position (extreme bottom).
The interior 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
displays when the park lights or
headlights are on.
Automatic Headlights Ð 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 counter-
clockwise position. When the sys-
tem is ON, the Headlight Time
Delay feature is also ON. This
means your headlights 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 OFF position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come ON in the Automatic mode.
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE