maintenance DODGE CARAVAN 2006 4.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................85
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................195
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................301
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................365
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................393
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................447
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................473
10INDEX....................................................................481
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner’s manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

▫Compass/Temperature Display...........159
▫Mini-Trip Computer...................162
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)—
If Equipped.........................163
▫Customer Programmable Features—
If Equipped.........................164

Garage Door Opener—If Equipped.........167
▫Programming Homelink................169
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 171
▫Using Homelink......................172
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............172
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 172
▫Security............................173

Power Sunroof—If Equipped.............173▫Express Open Feature..................174
▫Wind Buffeting.......................175
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................175

Electrical Power Outlets—If Equipped.......175
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......177

Convenience Tray Drawer And Cup Holders . . . 177
▫Instrument Panel Cup Holders............177
▫Convenience Tray And Optional Smoker’s
Package Kit.........................178
▫Rear Cupholders......................179

Storage..............................180
▫Front Seat Storage Bin—If Equipped.......180
▫Second Row Seat Storage Bins—If Equipped . 181
88 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 withthe 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.
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).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
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▫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
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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 Monitoring Telltale Lamp—If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one ormore of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
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.
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
4. Before inserting a tape, make sure that the label is
adhering flat to the cassette.
5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.
Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or“muddy”sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
272 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the CD/DVD discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper, paper CD labels, or tape to the
disc; avoid scratching the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 273
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glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, Maintenance Procedures, of this manual for
proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To insure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to section 7, Maintenance
Procedures, of this manual for proper coolant selection.
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequatesystem lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy
or humid weather. To clear the windows, selectdefrost
ormixmode and increase the front blower speed. Do
not use the Recirculation mode without A/C for long
periods as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 295
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Operating Tips A/C Air Filter—If Equipped
The climate control system filters out dust, pollen and
some odors from the air. Strong odors can not be totally
filtered out. Refer to MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE,
“Air Conditioner Maintenance”for filter replacement
instructions.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation—Manual
Temperature Control Only
The controls are located on the Manual Tempera-
ture Control head above the front blower control.
When the button is pressed and released and the
Ignition Switch in ON, the rear wiper will operate at a
fixed interval of about 8 seconds. As vehicle speed
increases, the time delay will shorten. The LED indicator
will light when the wiper is ON. Pressing and releasing
the button again with turn the wiper off.
296 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL