DODGE CARAVAN 2005 4.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
•Many 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.
•Accessories 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.
•After 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/Tub Nets
Two cargo/tub nets are available on vehicles equipped
with Fold-in-Floor Seating. The cargo nets fit in the
second row storage bin and the third row tub. The nets
are supported by hooks located in these areas. Refer to
instructions provided in the net kit.
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
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
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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.
The liftgate sill plate has a raised line with the statement
“Load To This Line”. This line indicates how far rearward
cargo can be placed without interfering with liftgate
closing.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK—IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and siderails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 68 kg (150 lbs), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
Loading Limit
182 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo
inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.To move the cross bars, loosen the thumb screws located
at the upper edge of each cross bar approximately six
turns, then move the cross bar to the desired position.
Once the cross bar is in place, retighten the thumb screws
to lock the cross bar into position.
Attempt to move the crossbar again to ensure that it has
properly locked into position.
NOTE:To help control wind noise when installing the
cross bars make sure that the arrows marked on the front
side of the cross bars are facing the front of the vehicle.
Also, when the cross bars are not in use the notch on the
cross bars should be aligned with the arrows on the side
rails. This will help reduce the amount of wind noise
when the crossbars are not in use.
The tie down holes on the cross bar ends should always
be used to tie down the load. Check the straps frequently
to be sure that the load remains securely attached.
Roof Rack
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 183
3

CAUTION!
•To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do
not exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity
of 68 kg (150 lbs). Always distribute heavy loads
as evenly as possible and secure the load appro-
priately.
•Long loads which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
•Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic, can add sudden upward
loads. This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in
personal injury or property damage. Follow the Roof
Rack Cautions when carrying cargo on your roof
rack.
184 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

LOAD LEVELING SYSTEM
The automatic load leveling system will provide a level
riding vehicle under most passenger and cargo loading
conditions.
A hydraulic pump contained within the shock absorbers
raises the rear of the vehicle to the correct height. It takes
approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of driving for the leveling
to complete depending on road surface conditions.
If the leveled vehicle is not moved for approximately 15
hours, the leveling system will bleed itself down. The
vehicle must be driven to reset the system.WARNING!
Do not install the load leveling system on vehicles
that are not equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes. Ve-
hicles without Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) have a
height-sensing proportioning valve. Installing a lev-
eling system will render this system ineffective,
inappropriately reducing rear brake pressure, result-
ing in increased stopping distances. You could have
an accident.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 185
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS

Instruments And Controls.................193

Base Instrument Cluster..................194

Instrument Cluster With Tach..............195

Instrument Cluster Descriptions............196

Electronic Digital Clock..................204
▫Clock Setting Procedure.................204

Radio General Information................205
▫Radio Broadcast Signals.................205
▫Two Types Of Signals..................205▫Electrical Disturbances..................205
▫AM Reception.......................205
▫FM Reception........................205

Sales Code RAZ—AM/ FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player, CD Player And CD Changer
Controls.............................206
▫Operating Instructions—Radio...........206
▫Power Switch, Volume Control............206
▫Seek Button (Radio Mode)...............206
▫Tuning.............................2074

▫Radio Data System (RDS)...............207
▫PTY (Program Type) Button..............207
▫Balance............................209
▫Fade..............................209
▫Tone Control........................209
▫AM/FM Selection.....................209
▫Scan Button.........................209
▫To Set The Radio Push-Button Memory......210
▫To Change From Clock To Radio Mode......210
▫Operating Instructions—Tape Player.......210
▫Seek Button.........................210
▫Fast Forward (FF).....................211
▫Rewind (RW)........................211▫Tape Eject...........................211
▫Scan Button.........................211
▫Changing Tape Direction................211
▫Metal Tape Selection...................211
▫Pinch Roller Release...................212
▫Noise Reduction......................212
▫Operating Instructions—CD Player........212
▫Inserting The Compact Disc..............212
▫Seek Button.........................213
▫EJT CD (Eject) Button..................213
▫FF/Tune/RW........................214
▫Program Button 4 (Random Play)..........214
▫Mode..............................214
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Tape CD Button......................214
▫Time Button.........................215
▫Scan Button.........................215
▫CD Changer Control Capability—
If Equipped.........................215

Sales Code RBP—AM & FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player, CD Player, And Optional
CD/DVD Changer Controls...............216
▫Radio Operation......................217
▫Tape Player Operation..................221
▫CD Player Operation...................223
▫CD/DVD Changer Operation—
If Equipped.........................224
Sales Code RBQ—AM/FM Stereo Radio With
6 - Disc CD Changer....................226
▫Radio Operation......................226
▫CD Player Operation...................229

Sales Code RBK—AM/ FM Stereo Radio With CD
Player And CD Changer Controls...........233
▫Radio Operation......................234
▫CD Player Operation...................236
▫CD Changer Control Capability—
If Equipped.........................238

Sales Code RB1—AM/FM Stereo Radio With
DVD/GPS Navigation System..............240
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189
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6 Disc CD Changer—If Equipped..........240
▫Loading The CD Changer...............241
▫Playing Discs........................241
▫Seek Button.........................242
▫FF/Tune/RW........................242
▫Mode Button........................242
▫Program Button 1.....................242
▫Program Button 4 (Random Play)..........242
▫Program Button 5.....................243
▫Time Button.........................243
▫Changing Modes......................243
▫Removing Discs From The CD Changer.....243▫CD Changer Operation With
The Changer Off......................243

6 Disc CD/DVD Changer (RDV)—
If Equipped...........................243
▫Operating Instructions—CD/DVD Changer . . 244
▫Eject (EJT) Button.....................246
▫Operating Instructions—Remote Control....246
▫Operating Instructions—Video Screen......250
▫Operating Instructions—Headphones......252
▫Operating Instructions—MP3 Player, Portable
Walkman...........................254
▫Operating Instructions—Video
Games/Camcorders...................254
190 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL