remove seats DODGE CARAVAN 2004 4.G Owners Manual

²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don't leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle, except commercial cargo vehicles, is
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren. Two LATCH child restraint anchor-
age systems are installed on all second-row seats. Second-
row seats also feature tether strap anchorages, located in
the rear surface of the seatback. In addition, all
3-passenger bench seats are equipped with a child re-
straint tether anchor at the center seating position.When using the tether anchorages in the outboard seat-
ing positions, ensure that the strap is routed over the top
of the seatback and under the head restraint between the
head restraint posts. When the tether anchorage is used
in the center seating position, the strap should be posi-
tioned straight over the top of the seatback.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

lever to return the seatback to its full upright position.
Ensure that the seatback is fully latched in the upright
position.
WARNING!
In a collision, you or others in your vehicle could be
injured if seats are not properly latched to their floor
attachments. Always be sure the seats are fully
latched.
2 ± Passenger and 3 ± Passenger Bench Seats
Release levers are located on the rear leg assemblies, near
the floor. To remove the seat, squeeze each release handle
and rotate downwards to deploy the wheels. A lock
indicator button pops up when the seat is unlocked. The
seat assembly can now be removed from the vehicle and
moved on its Easy OuttRollers.To reinstall the seat, align the seat into the detent posi-
tions on the floor. Squeeze the release handle and rotate
upward until the lock indicator button returns into the
handle.
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

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
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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

forward to engage the front of the console into the floor
tray. Rapidly push down on the rear of the console with
enough force to engage the latch, you should hear the
latch ªsnapº into place. Pull up on the console to be sure
it's firmly attached.
NOTE:When the removable floor console is located
between the middle seats, the power outlet only has
power supplied to it when the ignition switch is ON.
Cell Phone Holder
1. Open the front lid and remove the cell phone holder
by pulling rearward and up on the lower edge of the
holder.2. Plug in the power cord for the cellular phone into the
outlet located in the bottom of the forward console bin
and reinstall the cell phone holder
3. Place the cell phone into the holder.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle's battery, even when not
in use (i.e. cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle's battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
Rear Compartment Storage Bins
Your vehicle may be equipped with open storage bins
located in each rear trim panel or your vehicle may be
equipped with storage bins located under the armrest in
each rear trim panel.
Cargo Area Storage
The seats in your vehicle are in-line which enables you to
stow long objects, such as lumber or skis, on the floor
without moving the seats.
NOTE:With all rear seat backs folded, a 4x8 foot sheet
of building material may be stored in the long-wheelbase
body style on top of the folded seats with the liftgate
closed. The front seats must be moved slightly forward of
the rearmost position. If the rear seats are removed no
front seat adjustment is needed and more than one 4x8
sheet of building material may be stored.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
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WARNING!
²Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap (gas cap) slowly
to prevent fuel spray from the filler neck which may
cause injury.
²The volatility of some gasolines may cause a buildup
of pressure in the fuel tank that may increase while
you drive. This pressure can result in a spray of
gasoline and/or vapors when the cap is removed
from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap slowly allows
the pressure to vent and prevents fuel spray.
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the tank
filled.
²Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
²A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
VEHICLE LOADING
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is shown in the
charts that follow. This information should be used for
passenger and luggage loading as indicated.
If seats are removed for carrying cargo, do not exceed the
specified GVWR and GAWR.
Vehicle Certification Label
Your vehicle has a certification label attached to the
driver's door pillar.
The label contains the following information:
²Name of manufacturer
²Month and year of manufacture
²Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
²Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front
²Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

The Heated Mirrors, Lower Instrument Panel Power
Outlet and Removable Floor Console, when in the front
position are fused with self resetting fuses that are only
serviceable by an authorized dealer. The power seats are
fused by a 30 Amp circuit breaker located under the
driver's seat. The Power Windows are fused by a 25 Amp
circuit breaker located under the instrument panel near
the steering column. If you experience temporary or
permanent loss of these systems see your authorized
dealer for service.VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to protect your battery.
You may:
²Remove the 20 Amp mini fuse in the Integrated Power
Module labeled Ignition-Off Draw (IOD).
²Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
²Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning 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 compressor damage when the system is
started again.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 337
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