air condition DODGE CARAVAN 2004 4.G User Guide

NOTE:In many temperature lever positions, the bi-
level mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the
panel outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount of air is
directed through the defrost and side window demister
outlets.
Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demist outlets. This mode works best in cold or snowy
conditions. It allows you to stay comfortable while keep-
ing the windshield clear.
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Defrost Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window demist
outlets. Use this setting when necessary to defrost your
windshield and side windows.
NOTE:For improved safety, the compressor is activated
and the recirculation mode is deactivated when Mix orDefrost modes are selected. This is done to assist in
drying the air and it will help in keeping the windows
from fogging.
Manual Air Conditioning Operation
To turn on the air conditioning, set the front
blower control to any position except O (OFF) and
press the A/C button which is located next to the
recirculation button. An indicator light on the A/C
button shows that the air conditioning is on.
Cool dehumidified air comes through the outlets selected
by the Mode Control. To turn off the air conditioning,
press the A/C button a second time. The indicator light
will turn off.
NOTE:
²The compressor will not engage until the engine has
been running for a few seconds.
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²If your air conditioning performance seems lower than
expected, check the A/C air filter and the front of the
A/C condenser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
The A/C condenser is located in front of the radiator.
The A/C air filter is located under the instrument
panel on the passenger side.
²Fabric type fascia protectors tend to block the amount
of air to the condenser and may reduce air condition-
ing performance.
Economy Mode
If economy mode is desired, press the A/C button to turn
off the indicator light, and the A/C compressor. Move the
temperature control lever to the desired temperature.
Recirculation Control
Press the recirculation button to recirculate the
air inside the vehicle. This is located next to the
A/C button. An indicator light on the button
shows that air is being recirculated. Use therecirculation mode to rapidly cool the inside of the
vehicle. The recirculation mode can also be used to
temporarily block out outside odors, smoke, and dust.
NOTE:
²When the ignition switch is turned OFF, the recircula-
tion feature will be cancelled.
²In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in the Mix and Defrost modes to
improve window clearing operation. Recirculation
will be disabled automatically if these modes are
selected.
²If the recirculation button is pressed while in the Mix
or Defrost mode, the indicator light in the recirculation
button will flash 3 times indicating that recirculation is
not allowed.
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A/C Recirculation Programming
The recirculation control is programmed to cancel the
recirculation mode when the ignition key is turned OFF
and will reset to outside air mode when the ignition key
is turned ON. The frequent use of outside air will help
keep odors from building up within the air conditioner-
heater housing. It is recommended that the recirculation
mode be used as little as possible, especially in humid
climates.
For hot and dry climates, or people who are allergic to
pollen and find frequent use of the recirculation mode
necessary, the recirculation mode can be programmed to
not automatically reset to the outside mode by using the
following procedures:
²Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
²Set the mode control to ªPANELº.
²Depress and hold in the ªRear Wipe/Washº button.
²Start the engine, and continue to hold in the ªRear
Wipe/Washº button until the indicator light starts
flashing repeatedly.
²Press the recirculation button until the indicator light
remains lit.
²The selection will be stored when the ignition switch is
turned OFF or if the ªRear Wipe/Washº button is
pressed.
If the recirculation indicator light is lit, the recirculation
mode will not reset when the engine is started. If the
recirculation indicator light is not lit, the recirculation
mode will reset to the outside air mode when the engine
is started. The programmed status can be changed back
and forth by following the above mentioned procedure.
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NOTE:In many temperature positions, the bi-level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the panel
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount of air is
directed through the defrost and side window demister
outlets.Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demist outlets. This mode works best in cold or snowy
conditions. It allows you to stay comfortable while keep-
ing the windshield clear.
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Defrost Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window demist
outlets. Use this setting when necessary to defrost your
windshield and side windows.
Depress the ªA/Cº button to turn on and off the
air conditioning during manual operation only.
Cool dehumidified air comes through the outletsselected by the Mode Control. To turn off the air condi-
tioning, press the A/C button a second time. The A/C
symbol in the display will turn off.
Recirculation Control
When the outside air contains smoke, odors,
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the recirculation icon button. The re-
circulation mode should only be used temporarily. The
recirculate symbol will illuminate in the display when
this button is selected. You may select the recirculation
mode separately or with the A/C feature, if rapid cooling
is desired. Push in on the buttons a second time to turn
the systems off.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode
may lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in the Mix and Defrost modes to
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Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE:In many temperature positions, the bi-level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Headliner Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vane knob on the outlets to
one side will shut off the air flow.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethyleneglycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, Maintenance Procedures, of this manual for
proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
The air from the heater system will heat faster in cold
weather if you use only low blower speeds for the first 10
minutes of vehicle operation. Use of the air Recirculation
mode during winter months is not recommended be-
cause it may cause window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
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4

A/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped
The climate control system filters out dust, pollen and
some odors from the air. Strong odors can not be totally
filtered out. Refer to section 7 ªAir Conditioningº for
filter replacement instructions.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation Ð 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.
Rear Washer Operation Ð Manual Temperature
Control Only
The controls are located on the Manual Tempera-
ture Control head above the front blower control.
Press and hold the button for as long as spray is
desired. If the button is depressed and held while the
Intermittent wiper is on, the wiper will operated for a few
seconds after the button is released, then resume inter-
mittent operation. If the button was pressed and held
when the intermittent wiper is off, the wiper will operate
for two cycles, then turn off. The LED will not illuminate
when Washer is selected and Intermittent is OFF.
NOTE:The washer will stop spraying if the switch is
pressed longer than 10 seconds.
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The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
bulb repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function-
ing. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.When the vehicle is driven over approximately 15 mph
(25 km/h), you may also hear a slight clicking sound as
well as some related motor noises. These noises are the
system performing its self check cycle to ensure that the
ABS system is working properly. This self check occurs
each time the vehicle is started and accelerated past
approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
²The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
²the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
²brake pedal pulsations,
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The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap±if equipped. This
will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
ªcold tire inflation pressureº. Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1mile(1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12É F (7É C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage especially in
the winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68É F (20É C) and the
outside temperature = 32É F (0É C) then the cold tire
inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12É F (7É C) for this
outside temperature condition.
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