instrument panel DODGE CARAVAN 2005 4.G User Guide

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause
it to fail when you need it. You could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. Do not modify the
components or wiring, including adding any kind of
badges or stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not modify
the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or frame.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag
system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not
function properly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced airbag
system service. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the
vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify an advanced airbag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
WARNING!
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85
2

▫Sunglass Storage......................151
▫Compass/Temperature Display...........151
▫Mini-Trip Computer...................154
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)—
If Equipped.........................155
▫Customer Programmable Features—
If Equipped.........................156

Garage Door Opener—If Equipped.........159
▫Programming Homelink................160
▫Canadian Programming/Gate
Programming........................163
▫Using Homelink......................164
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............164
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 164▫Security............................165

Power Sunroof—If Equipped.............165
▫Express Open Feature..................166
▫Wind Buffeting.......................167
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................167

Electrical Power Outlets—If Equipped.......168
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......169

Convenience Tray Drawer And Cup Holders . . . 170
▫Instrument Panel Cup Holders............170
▫Convenience Tray And Optional Smoker’s
Package Kit.........................171
▫Rear Cupholders......................172
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Outside Mirror—Driver’s Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.
Outside Mirror—Passenger’s Side
Adjust the convex outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle in the portion of the mirror closest to
the vehicle. This type of mirror will give a much wider
view to the rear, and especially of the lane next to your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object.
Use your inside mirror when judging the size or
distance of a vehicle seen in this convex mirror.
Power Remote-Control Mirrors—If Equipped
Use the mirror select switch, located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column, to adjust the view
obtained in the outside mirrors. Press the rocker switch to
the L or R for Left or Right mirror selection. Use the
center off position to guard against accidentally moving
a mirror position.
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Heated Seats—If Equipped
This feature heats the front driver and passenger seats.
The controls for the heated seats are located on the
instrument panel above the radio. You may choose LOW,
HIGH or No Heat. The switch position as well as an
indicator light will show when the LOW or HIGH heat is
ON.
Manual Reclining Seats—If Equipped
The recliner mechanism control is on the outboard side of
the seat. To recline, lean forward slightly, lift the lever,
then push back to the desired position and release the
lever. Lean forward and lift the lever to return the
Heated Seat Switches
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Not 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 posi-
tion. In a collision, serious injury or death may result
if the proper head restraint is not installed on each
seat.
•The 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.
•It 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.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
•Be 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.
Hood Release Lever
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

LIGHTS
All of the lights, except the hazard warning lights, are
controlled by switches to the left of the steering column
on the instrument panel.
Interior Lights
Interior lights are turned on when a door or liftgate is
opened, the keyless entry transmitter is activated, or
when the dimmer control is moved to the extreme top.
The interior lights will automatically turn off in about 15
minutes if any of the following occur.
•A door, sliding door or the liftgate is left open.
•Any overhead reading light is left on.
•If the dimmer control is in the extreme top position.
NOTE:The key must be out of the ignition switch or the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position for this
feature to operate.
Headlight Switch
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Park Lights
Turn this switch to the first detent to turn the park
lights on. This also turns on all instrument panel
lighting.
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to the 2nd detent to
turn the headlights and park lights on. This
also turns on all instrument panel lighting.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the dimmer control up or down.
Dimmer Control
With the park lights or headlights
on, rotating the dimmer control
for the interior lights on the in-
strument panel upward will in-
crease the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights.
Dome Light Position
Rotate the dimmer control com-
pletely upward to the second de-
tent (extreme top position) to turn
on the interior lights, except the
front reading/courtesy lights. The
interior lights will remain on
when the dimmer control is in this
position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
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The lights also turn on when a front door, a sliding door
or the liftgate is opened. If your vehicle is equipped with
Remote Keyless Entry, the lights will also turn on when
the unlock button on the transmitter is pressed.
The area around the instrument panel cupholders is also
illuminated from a light in the overhead console. This
light is turned on when the headlight switch is on and
will adjust in brightness when the dimmer control is
rotated up or down.
Sunglass Storage
At the rear of the overhead console, a compartment is
provided for the storage of two pair of sunglasses.
Press the door latch to open the compartment. The door
will slowly rotate to an open position.
Compass/Temperature Display
This display provides the outside temperature and one of
eight compass readings to indicate the direction the
vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32°F(0°C), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the“CAL”
symbol will be displayed. After completing three 360°
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
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ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS—IF EQUIPPED
To the left of the instrument panel cup holder are two 12
volt power outlets. The upper outlet is controlled by the
ignition switch and the lower outlet is connected directly
to the battery. The upper outlet will also operate a
conventional cigar lighter unit (if equipped with an
optional Smoker’s Package).
A third outlet is located on the driver’s side, just to the
rear of the sliding door and is also controlled by the
ignition switch. The lower and rear outlets will not
accommodate a conventional cigar lighter unit.
The outlets include tethered caps labeled with a key or
battery symbol indicating the power source. The lower
instrument panel outlet is powered directly from the
battery, items plugged into this outlet may discharge the
battery and/or prevent engine starting.
Rear Power Outlet
168 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE