traction control DODGE CARAVAN 2004 4.G Owners Manual

NTurn Signals.........................102
NHeadlight Low/High Beam Selector Switch . . . 103
NPassing Light........................103
NWindshield Wipers And Washers..........103
mTilt Steering Column Ð If Equipped.........104
mTraction Control Switch Ð If Equipped.......105
mAdjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped...........106
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......107
NTo Activate..........................108
NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............108
NTo Deactivate........................108
NTo Resume Speed.....................108
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............109NTo Accelerate For Passing...............109
mOverhead Console Ð If Equipped...........110
NCourtesy/Reading Lights................110
NSunglass Storage......................111
NCompass/Temperature Display...........111
NMini-Trip Computer...................114
NElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) Ð If Equipped..................115
NCustomer Programmable Features Ð If
Equipped...........................116
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........119
NProgramming Homelink................120
NCanadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 123
NUsing Homelink......................123
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH Ð IF EQUIPPED
The TRAC indicator, located below the instrument clus-
ter odometer, will light up when the Traction Control is in
use.
To turn the system OFF, press the TRAC OFF switch
located on the steering column, until the TRAC OFF
indicator below the instrument cluster odometer lights up.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
3

To turn the system back ON, press the switch a second
time until the TRAC OFF indicator turns OFF.
NOTE:
²The Traction Control System indicator comes on each
time the ignition switch is turned ON. This will occur
even if you used the switch to turn the system OFF.
²The Traction Control will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when in operation.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals
to move toward or away from the driver to provide
improved position with the steering wheel. The adjust-
able pedal system is designed to allow a greater range of
driver comfort for steering wheel tilt and seat position.
The switch is located on the right side of the steering
column.Press the button forward to move the pedals forward
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Press the button rearward to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
²The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
²The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
19. Trac Off Indicator Ð If Equipped
This vacuum fluorescent display indicator should illumi-
nate for approximately four seconds as a bulb check
when the ignition switch is first turned ON.
The ªTRAC OFFº Indicator will flash if the traction
control is in use.
The ªTRAC OFFº Indicator will illuminate if:
²The Traction Control switch has been used to turn
the system OFF.
²There is a Traction Control System malfunction
²The system has been deactivated to prevent damage
to the brake system due to overheated brake tem-
peratures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
ªrockº the vehicle free.
156 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................226
N2.4L Engine.........................226
N3.3L And 3.8L Engine..................228
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........230
mAutomatic Transmission..................231
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......232
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System.............................232
NFour Speed Automatic Transmission........232mAll Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped............235
mParking Brake.........................235
mBrake System..........................237
NAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.....237
mPower Steering........................240
mTraction Control Ð If Equipped............241
mTire Safety Information...................242
NTire Markings........................242
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........246
5

TRACTION CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System reduces wheel slip and
maintains traction at the driving (front) wheels. The
system reduces wheel slip by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction (spinning). The system
operates at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
The system is always in the ªstand byº mode unless,
²The Traction Control Switch has been used to turn the
system OFF
²There is a Traction Control System malfunction
²The system has been deactivated to prevent damage to
the brake system due to overheated brake tempera-
tures
NOTE:The Traction Control will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5

NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
ªrockº the vehicle free.TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
²P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
290 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
378 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

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