fuel DODGE CARAVAN 2005 4.G Owners Manual

To keep your door operating properly, observe the fol-
lowing guidelines:
•Always open the door smoothly.
•Avoid high impacts against the door stop when open-
ing the door. This is very important when your vehicle
is parked on an incline as the door will slide faster in
the downhill direction.
•There is a hold-open latch that is activated when the
sliding door is fully opened. This latch will keep your
sliding door open on any incline. To close the sliding
door after the hold-open latch is activated, you must
push the button on the inside grab handle or pull out
on the outside sliding door handle.
•Use the grab handle on the inside of the sliding door to
assist you in closing and securing the door.
Always make sure that the sliding door is fully latched
any time the vehicle is in motion.NOTE:The driver’s side sliding door cannot be opened
while the fuel door is open. This feature operates only
when the sliding door is fully closed prior to opening the
fuel door.
Sliding Door Open Flash
When the sliding door(s) are opened, the left and right
exterior hazard lights will flash for 12 seconds to alert
other drivers in the area that passenger(s) could be
entering or exiting the vehicle.
The Sliding Door Open Flash can be enabled or disabled
by performing the following procedure:
1. Place the key in the ignition switch.
2. Cycle the ignition switch ON/OFF four times ending
in the OFF position. (do not start the engine)
3. Within 10 seconds of the final cycle, press the hazard
switch.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

There are power sliding door switches located on the
trim panel just in front of the power sliding door for the
rear seat passengers. Pressing the switch once will open
the power sliding door, once the door is fully open
pressing the switch a second time will close the door.If the inside or outside door handles are used while the
power sliding door is activated, the power sliding door
feature will be canceled and the door must be opened or
closed manually.
To avoid unintentional operation of the power sliding
door from the rear seats, press the button located in the
overhead console to disable the switches for the rear seat
passengers.
NOTE:
•If anything obstructs the power sliding door while it is
closing or opening, the door will automatically reverse
to the closed or open position, provided it meets
sufficient resistance.
•The driver’s side sliding door cannot be opened while
the fuel door is open. This feature operates only when
the sliding door is fully closed prior to opening the
fuel door.
Power Sliding Door Switch
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
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Mini-Trip Computer
This displays information on the following:
•Average Fuel Economy (ECO AVG)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined using the MPG for the last few minutes.
•Trip Odometer (ODO)
Shows the distance travelled since the last reset.
•Elapsed Time (ET)
Shows the accumulated ignition ON time since the last
reset.
•Off Mode
Shows a blank display.
•Step Button
Push this button to cycle through all the Compass/Mini-
trip Computer displays.
•US/M Button
Press this button to convert the display from U.S. to
metric.
To Reset The Display
Pressing the Reset button once will clear the resettable
function currently being displayed. Resettable functions
are average fuel economy, trip odometer and elapsed
time. Pressing the reset button twice within four seconds
will clear all resettable functions. Reset will only occur if
a resettable function is currently being displayed.
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light—If Equipped
This light will turn on when there is a Low tire
pressure condition. The light will remain on
until the tire pressure is properly set. The light
will also flash if a problem exist with any tire
sensor. The light will flash for approximately three sec-
onds every 10 minutes or until the problem with the
sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon aspossible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard and owner’s manual.
NOTE:If one of the vehicle active tires has been
replaced by the spare or a wheel rim not equipped with
a TPM sensor, the tire pressure monitor warning light
will flash for approximately three seconds every 10
minutes. Repair or replace the tire or sensor as soon as
possible.
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0
gallons (11.0 liters) this light will turn on and
remain on until fuel is added.
4. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb.
5. Liftgate Ajar
This light turns on if the liftgate is not com-
pletely closed.6. Door Ajar Light
This light turns on if a door is not completely
closed.
7. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
8. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, there
is a low brake fluid level or there is a problem with the
anit-lock brake system.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197
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NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
Park.
19. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for 4 minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
20. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.21. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
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.
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Ti re s—General Information................316
▫Tire Pressure.........................316
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................317
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................320
▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........320
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........321
▫Tire Spinning........................322
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................322
▫Replacement Tires.....................323
▫Alignment And Balance.................324

Tire Pressure Monitor System—If Equipped . . . 325
▫1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure...........325
▫1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure...........325▫Check TPM System....................326
▫General Information...................327

Tire Chains...........................327

Snow Tires...........................329

Tire Rotation Recommendations............329

Fuel Requirements......................330
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................331
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............331
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................331
▫Materials Added To Fuel................332
▫Fuel System Cautions..................332
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............333
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

Adding Fuel..........................334
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............334

Vehicle Loading........................336
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............336
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......336▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........336
▫Overloading.........................337
▫Loading............................337

Trailer Towing.........................338
▫Towing Requirements..................339
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
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Extremely Cold Weather(below
29°Cor
20°F). To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING”,“COLD WEATHER”or“HIGH
ALTITUDE”procedures, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
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