air conditioning DODGE CARAVAN 2006 4.G Owners Manual

▫Operating Instructions—Video
Games/Camcorders...................266

Satellite Radio—If Equipped..............266
▫System Activation.....................266
▫Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ENS/SID)....................267
▫Selecting Satellite Mode In RBB, Rev And
RBK Radios.........................267
▫Selecting Satellite Mode In RBP, RBU, RAZ,
RB1 And RBQ Radios..................268
▫Selecting a Channel....................268
▫Storing And Selecting Pre-Set Channels......269
▫Using The PTY (Program Type) Button
(If Equipped)........................269
▫PTY ButtonScan.....................269▫PTY ButtonSeek.....................269
▫Satellite Antenna......................269
▫Reception Quality.....................270

Remote Sound System Controls—If Equipped . . 270
▫Radio Operation......................271
▫Tape Player.........................271
▫CD Player..........................272

Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......272

CD/DVD Disc Maintenance...............273

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........274

Climate Controls.......................274
▫Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System.............................274
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199
4

▫Front Mode Control...................276
▫Manual Air Conditioning Operation........279
▫Manual Rear Zone Climate Control—
If Equipped.........................282
▫Automatic Temperature Control—
If Equipped.........................284

Rear Window Features...................296
▫Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation—
Manual Temperature Control Only.........296
▫Rear Washer Operation—
Manual Temperature Control Only.........297▫Rear Wiper Operation—
Automatic Temperature Control Only.......298
▫Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation—
Automatic Temperature Control Only.......298
▫Rear Washer Operation—
Automatic Temperature Control Only.......298
▫Electric Rear Window Defroster—
If Equipped.........................300
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the cellular phone being On in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition
is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance
does not satisfactorily“clear”by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Air Conditioning and Heating System is designed to
make you comfortable in all types of weather.
Manual Air Conditioning and Heating System
Front Blower Control
The Front Blower Control selects whether the Cli-
mate Control System is ON or OFF. When the blower
control is set to the O (OFF) position the front blower will
turn off and the system will be placed in the Recirculation
Manual Air Conditioning and Heating Controls
274 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Defrost Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window demist
outlets. Use this setting when necessary to defrost your
windshield and side windows.
NOTE:For improved safety, the compressor is activated
and the recirculation mode is deactivated when Mix orDefrost modes are selected. This is done to assist in
drying the air and it will help in keeping the windows
from fogging.
Manual Air Conditioning Operation
To turn on the air conditioning, set the front
blower control to any position except O (OFF) and
press the A/C button which is located next to the
recirculation button. An indicator light on the A/C
button shows that the air conditioning is on.
Cool dehumidified air comes through the outlets selected
by the Mode Control. To turn off the air conditioning,
press the A/C button a second time. The indicator light
will turn off.
NOTE:
•The compressor will not engage until the engine has
been running for a few seconds.
Defrost Outlets
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 279
4

•If your air conditioning performance seems lower than
expected, check the A/C air filter, if so equipped, and
the front of the A/C condenser for an accumulation of
dirt or insects. The A/C condenser is located in front
of the radiator. The A/C air filter is located under the
instrument panel on the passenger side.
•Fabric type fascia protectors tend to block the amount
of air to the condenser and may reduce air condition-
ing performance.
Economy Mode
If economy mode is desired, press the A/C button to turn
off the indicator light, and the A/C compressor. Move the
temperature control lever to the desired temperature.
Recirculation Control
Press the recirculation button to recirculate the
air inside the vehicle. This is located next to the
A/C button. An indicator light on the button
shows that air is being recirculated. Use therecirculation mode to rapidly cool the inside of the
vehicle. The recirculation mode can also be used to
temporarily block out outside odors, smoke, and dust.
NOTE:
•When the ignition switch is turned OFF, the recircula-
tion feature will be cancelled.
•In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in the Mix and Defrost modes to
improve window clearing operation. Recirculation
will be disabled automatically if these modes are
selected.
•If the recirculation button is pressed while in the Mix
or Defrost mode, the indicator light in the recirculation
button will flash 3 times indicating that recirculation is
not allowed.
280 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Defrost Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window demist
outlets. Use this setting when necessary to defrost your
windshield and side windows.NOTE:While operating in eitherAuto HIorAuto
LO, the system will not automatically sense the presence
of fog, mist, or ice on the windshield.Defrostmode
must be manually selected to clear the windshield and
side glass.
Thesnowflakeora/cbutton allows the opera-
tor to manually activate or deactivate the air
conditioning system. When the snowflake symbol
in the ATC display is on, cool, dehumidified air flows
through the air outlets. If economy mode is desired, press
the snowflake button to turn off the snowflake icon in the
ATC display and deactivate the air conditioning system.
Note: While operating inauto hiorauto lo, the air
conditioning system is always activated. If fog, or mist
appears on the windshield or side glass, selectdefrost
mode and increase blower speed.
Defrost Outlets
290 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Towing Tips—Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips—Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways—Slow down.
•In city traffic—While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads“H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the“H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
6

WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer
to Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
A/C Air Filter—If Equipped
The A/C Air Filter—if so equipped, is found behind the
filter access door located under the instrument panel on
the passenger side. To replace the filter slide the lock
toward the rear of the vehicle (unlock position). Remove
the access door and pull the filter downward. When
installing a new filter, ensure its proper orientation. Align
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411
7

the black arrow on the bottom of the filter frame with the
direction of airflow (away from the blower motor and
towards the center of the car).
Refer to the“Maintenance Schedules”section of this
manual for the recommended air conditioning filter
replacement intervals.
Power Steering—Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
Front Suspension Ball Joints
The front suspension ball joints are permanently sealed.
No regular maintenance is required for these compo-
nents.
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE