belt DODGE CARAVAN 2005 4.G Owner's Guide

Using body pressure, move forward and rearward on the
seat to be sure the seat adjusters have latched.
WARNING!
Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured.
8–Way Driver’s Power Seat—If Equipped
The driver’s power seat switches are located on the
outboard side of the seat. The front switch controls
up/down, forward/rearward, and tilt adjustment. The
rear switch controls the seatback recline adjustment.4–Way Passenger’s Power Seat—If Equipped
The passenger’s power seat switches are located on the
outboard side of the seat. The front switch controls
forward and rearward adjustment. The rear switch con-
trols the seatback recline adjustment.
Driver Power Seat Switches
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

seatback to its normal position. Using body pressure, lean
forward and rearward on the seat to be sure the seatback
has latched.WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or fatally injured. Use the recliner only
when the vehicle is parked.
Manual Reclining Seat Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 111
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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

WARNING!
In an accident, there is a greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seat belt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured too.
Do not allow small children to operate the sunroof.
Never allow fingers or other body parts, or any
object to project through the sunroof opening. Injury
may result.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 167
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13. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for 5 to 8 seconds as a bulb check.
During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat belt is
unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb check or
when driving, if the driver seat belt remains unbuckled,
the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or remain on
continuously. Refer toEnhanced Driver Seat Belt Re-
minder System (BeltAlert™)in the Occupant Restraints
section for more information.
14. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a continuous
chime will sound for 4 minutes. After the chime
turns off, the engine will still be critically hot until the
light turns off.15. Vehicle Theft Alarm Light—If Equipped
This light will flash for approximately 15 sec-
onds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming.
16. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

2.4L Engine...........................374

3.3L/3.8L Engines......................375

Onboard Diagnostic System—OBDII........376

Emissions Inspection And
Maintenance Programs...................377

Replacement Parts......................378

Dealer Service.........................378

Maintenance Procedures..................379
▫Engine Oil..........................379▫Engine Oil Filter......................383
▫Drive Belts—Check Condition And Tension . . 383
▫Spark Plugs.........................384
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................384
▫Catalytic Converter....................385
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................387
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............388
▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............390
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............390
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Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the Ameri-
can Petroleum Institute (API) and have the correct SAE
viscosity grade. Follow the maintenance schedule that
describes your driving type.
Materials Added to Engine Oil
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and
it’s performance may be impaired by supplemental ad-
ditives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your dealer, service station, orgovernmental agency for advice on how and where used
oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
All the manufacturers engines have a full-flow type oil
filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality
of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high
quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. Mopar Engine Oil Filters are a high quality oil
filter and are recommended.
Drive Belts—Check Condition and Tension
At the mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all
belts should be checked for condition and proper tension.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
7

Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing, and replaced if there is indication of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, the belts must be adjusted according to the
specifications and procedures described in the Service
Manual. Low generator belt tension can cause battery
failure. A special tool is required to properly measure
tension and to restore belt tension to factory specifica-
tions.
Also check belt routing to make sure there is no interfer-
ence between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New plugs should be in-
stalled at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty sparkplug, malfunctioning spark plugs can damage the cata-
lytic converter. For proper type of replacement spark
plugs, refer to the“Vehicle Emission Control Informa-
tion”label in the engine compartment.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on Schedule“A”. If, however, you
drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or severe con-
ditions, the filter element should be inspected periodi-
cally and replaced if necessary at the intervals shown on
Schedule“B”.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
•If a“fast charger”is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a“fast charger”to provide starting voltage.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a system
performance check. Drive belt tension should also be
checked at this time.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE