steering DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G User Guide

If the vehicle is equipped with the Compass Mini-Trip
Computer (CMTC) and the hood is not latched, a ªhoodº
will be displayed in the PRNDL/Odometer window of
the instrument cluster.
LIGHTS
All of the lights, except the hazard warning lights,
headlamp high beams and flash to pass, are controlled by
switches to the left of the steering column on the instru-
ment panel.
Interior Lighting
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.
Headlight Switch Assembly
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Battery Protection
This feature provides battery protection to avoid wearing
down the battery if the headlights, park lights, or front
fog lights are left on for extended periods of time when
the ignition switch is in the LOCK position. After eight
minutes of the ignition switch being in the LOCK posi-
tion and the headlight switch in any position other than
OFF or AUTO, the lights will turn off automatically until
the next cycle of the ignition switch or headlight switch.
The battery protection feature will be disabled if the
ignition switch is turned to any other position other than
LOCK during the three minute delay.
MULTIFUNCTION LEVER
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
The Multifunction Lever assembly controls:
²Turn Signals
²Headlight Low and High Beams
²Flash-to-Pass (Optical Horn)
²Front and Rear Wiper And Washer Functions
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever up or down to signal a
right-hand or left-hand turn.
The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights.
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TILT STEERING COLUMN Ð IF EQUIPPED
To tilt the column, pull the small lever downward
(located on the steering column and below the steering
wheel) to the open position. You may then position the
steering wheel up or down, as desired. Pull the small
lever upward to the closed position to lock the steering
wheel firmly in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist System provides visual and audible
indications of the distance between the rear fascia and the
detected obstacle when backing up. When backing up the
driver should also use the inside rearview and outside
mirrors.
Tilt Steering Column Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
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If(SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM(appears in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), after mak-
ing sure the rear bumper is clean, please see your
authorized dealer.
Should this wrench symbol display with the
letterPnext to it, your Park Sense System
needs servicing. Contact your authorized
dealer.
Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System
Clean the Rear Park Assist Sensors with water, car wash
soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do
not scratch or poke the sensors, otherwise, you could
damage the sensors.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals to
move toward or away from the driver to provide improved
position with the steering wheel. The adjustable pedal
system is designed to allow a greater range of driver comfort
for steering wheel tilt and seat positions. The switch is
located on the left side of the steering column.
Adjustable Pedal Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 177
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WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer if
your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under
the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual.
Follow the warnings under the Cooling System Pres-
sure Cap paragraph.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
5. 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, acontinuous 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.
6. 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.
7. Anti-Lock Brake System Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 227
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2. Press and hold (approximately 10 seconds) the CMTC
reset button until the current variance zone number is
displayed.
3. Release the CMTC reset button, then press and hold
again (approximately 10 seconds), until the direction is
displayed with the CAL indicator on continuously in the
display.
4. To complete the compass calibration, drive the vehicle
in one or more complete 360 degree circles under 5 mph
(8 km/h) in an area free from power lines, large metallic
objects, until the CAL indicator turns off. The compass
will now function normally.ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) Ð IF EQUIPPED
NOTE:The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating,
eliminating the need to manually calibrate the compass.
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
lower half of the speedometer.
This system conveniently allows the driver to select a
variety of useful information by pressing the switches
mounted on the steering wheel. The EVIC consists of the
following:
²System Status display
²Vehicle information warning message displays
²Tire Pressure Monitor System
²Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 241
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²Compass display
²Outside temperature display
²Trip computer functions
²Audio Modes display
EVIC Menu / Step Control Button as it
appears on the left side of the steering
column.
Press and release the MENU button and the
mode displayed will change between
Compass/Temperature, Trip, System Status,
and Personal Settings.Press the STEP button to scroll through sub
menus (i.e. Trip Functions, Avg. Fuel Economy,
DTE, Elapsed Time, and Units.
Steering Wheel EVIC Compass/Temp
Control Button as it appears on the
right side of the steering column
Press and release the C/T button to for instant
access to the Compass/Temperature Screens.
Press this button to RESET Trip Functions and
Change Personal Settings.
242 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and six-disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 90 seconds after the ignition
switch has been turned OFF, depending upon the EVIC,
Accessory Delay setting. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
SALES CODE REQ Ð AM/FM STEREO RADIO
AND 6±DISC CD/DVD CHANGER (MP3/WMA AUX
JACK)
NOTE:The radio sales code is located on the lower right
side of your radio faceplate.
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC
position to operate the radio.
Power Switch/Volume Control (Rotary)
Push the On/Volume control knob to turn on the radio.
Press the control knob a second time to turn off the radio.
Electronic Volume Control
The electronic volume control turns continuously (360
degrees) in either direction without stopping. Turning the
On/Volume control knob to the right increases the vol-
ume and to the left decreases it.
252 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 ªclearº by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 O'clock
positions.
The right-hand rocker switch has a push button in the
center and controls the volume and mode of the sound
system. Pressing the top of the rocker switch will increase
the volume. Pressing the bottom of the rocker switch willdecrease the volume. Pressing the center button changes
the operation of the radio from AM to FM or Tape to CD
mode depending on which radio is in the vehicle.
The left-hand rocker switch has a push button in the
center. The function of the left-hand switch is different
depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand rocker switch
operation in each mode:
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the switch will SEEK up for the next
listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch
will SEEK down for the next listenable station.
The button located in the center of the left hand switch
will tune to the next pre-set station that you have
programmed in the radio pre-set push-button.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................324
NAutomatic Transmission................325
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........327
mAutomatic Transmission..................328
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......328
NFour-Speed Or Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission........................329
NReset Mode - Electronic Transmission.......334
mParking Brake.........................335mBrake System..........................337
NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............338
mElectronic Brake Control Systems............340
NTraction Control System (TCS)............340
mPower Steering........................344
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............345
NAcceleration.........................345
NTraction............................346
mDriving Through Water..................346
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