jump start DODGE CARAVAN 2004 4.G Owners Manual

Extremely Cold Weather(below229ÉC or220ÉF). To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº, ªCOLD WEATHERº or ªHIGH
ALTITUDEº procedures, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................280
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................281
mJacking And Tire Changing................282
NJack Location........................283
NSpare Tire Stowage....................283
NPreparations For Jacking................284
NJacking Instructions....................285
mJump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low....288
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............290
NAcceleration.........................290NTraction............................290
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................291
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................291
NWith Ignition Key.....................291
NWithout The Ignition Key...............293
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................293
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley....................293
6

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the en-
gine has started, ignite and damage the converter and
vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow
battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing. Don't
lean over battery when attaching clamps or allow the
clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes or
on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with
large quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from the
vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or any other
booster source with an output that exceeds 12 volts.
288 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach and
without letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake,
place the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position for both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the discharged battery. Connect the other end
of the same cable to the positive terminal of the booster
battery.5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 289
6

Filter............................... 328
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 328
Fluid Level Check...................... 327
Interlock System....................... 232
Reset Mode.......................... 233
Selection Of Lubricant................326,345
Shifting............................. 233
Special Additives...................... 329
Ball Joints............................. 314
Battery............................... 311
Gas Caution.......................... 311
Jump Starting......................... 288
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 25
Saving Feature........................ 101
Bearings.............................. 330
Belts, Drive............................ 307
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 315
B-Pillar Location........................ 247Brake, Parking.......................... 235
Brake System........................237,323
Anti-Lock........................... 237
Fluid Check.......................324,345
Hoses.............................. 323
Warning Light........................ 151
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 232
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 70
Bulb Replacement....................... 339
Bulbs, Light............................ 338
Calibration, Compass..................... 112
Capacities, Fluid........................ 343
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 270
Radiator............................ 320
Car Washes............................ 331
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 269
Cargo ................................ 135
INDEX 383
10

High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 103
Lights On Reminder.................... 101
Replacing............................ 339
Time Delay.......................... 101
Heated Seats............................ 82
Heater............................... 199
Heater, Engine Block..................... 230
Homelink Transmitter..................... 119
Hood Release........................... 96
Hoses.............................322,326
Ignition
Key ................................. 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 16
Immobilizer............................ 13
Indicator, Traction Control................. 156
Infant Restraint.......................... 59
Information Center.................... 115,159
Information Center, Vehicle.............. 115,159Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 77
Instrument Cluster.................149,150,151
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 148
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 334
Integrated Child Seat...................... 58
Integrated Power Module.................. 336
Interior Appearance Care.................. 333
Interior Fuses.......................... 336
Interior Lights.........................98,99
Intermittent Wipers.................104,219,220
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 283
Jack Operation.......................282,285
Jump Starting.......................... 288
Key, Programming........................ 15
Key, Replacement........................ 15
Key, Sentry............................. 13
388 INDEX