air condition DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Owner's Manual

NOTE:
²Check the automatic transmission fluid level before
towing.
²The six-speed automatic transmission is sealed and
requires an authorized dealer service center to check
the transmission fluid.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
²
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
²When 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.
²Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
gear selector lever in NEUTRAL but do not increase
engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
²Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The hazard flasher switch is located in the center of
the instrument panel below the radio.
To engage the Hazard Warning Flashers, depress the
switch on the instrument panel. When the Hazard Warn-
ing Switch is activated, all directional turn signals will
flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emer-
gency. Push the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning Flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, shift the transmission
gear selector lever into 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
410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 ªHº, 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
ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
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 a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.3L Engine Compartment................434
m3.8L Engine Compartment................435
m4.0L Engine Compartment................436
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........437
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message Ð gASCAP . . . 438
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................438
mReplacement Parts......................440
mAuthorized Dealer Service................440mMaintenance Procedures..................441
NEngine Oil..........................441
NEngine Oil Filter......................444
NDrive Belt...........................445
NSpark Plugs.........................445
NEngine Air Cleaner....................445
NCatalytic Converter....................446
NMaintenance-Free Battery................448
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............450
7

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.WARNING!
²Use 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.
²The 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.
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by an authorized dealer or other an
authorized service facility 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 Ð If Equipped
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this
manual for A/C Air Filter service intervals.
WARNING!
Do not remove the A/C Air Filter while the blower is
operating or personal injury may result.
The A/C Air Filter is located in the fresh air inlet behind
the glove box. Perform the following procedure to re-
place the filter:
1. Open the glove box and remove all contents.
2. Push in on the sides of the glove box and lower the
door.
3. Pivot the glove box downward.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451
7

When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
460 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation
²Stone and gravel impact
²Insects, tree sap and tar
²Salt in the air near seacoast localities
²Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants
Washing
²
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MopartCar Wash or a mild
car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
²If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MopartSuper Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover to remove.
²Use MopartCleaner Wax to remove road film, stains
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
468 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M12 Ð 30 Amp
GreenAmplifier (AMP)
M13 Ð 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off DrawÐ
Cabin Compartment
Node (IOD-CCN), Wire-
less Control Module
(WCM), SIREN, Clock
Module (CLK MOD),
Multi-Function Control
Switch (MULTIFCTN
SW)
M14 Ð 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow (Export
Only)FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M15 Ð 20 Amp
YellowCOL MOD, IR SNS,
Heater Ventilation, Air
Conditioning/Automatic
Temperature Control
(HVAC/ATC), Rear View
Mirror (RR VW MIR),
Cabin Compartment
Node (CCN), Transfer
Case Switch (T-CASE
SW), RUN/ST, Multi-
Function Control Switch
(MULTIFTCN SW), Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM),
Glow Plug Module
(GLW PLG MOD) Ð Ex-
port Diesel Only
M16 Ð 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint
Controller/Occupant
Classification Module
(ORC/OCM)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 477
7

FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M29 Ð 10 Amp
RedOccupant Classification
Module (OCM)
M30 Ð 15 Amp
BlueRear Wiper Module (RR
WIPER MOD), Power
Folding Mirror (PWR
FOLD MIR)
M31 Ð 20 Amp
YellowBack-Up Lamps (B/U
LAMPS)
M32 Ð 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC), TT EU-
ROPE
M33 Ð 10 Amp
RedNext Generation Control-
ler (NGC), Global Power-
train Engine Controller
(GPEC)FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M34 Ð 10 Amp
RedPark Assist (PRK ASST),
Heater Ventilation, Air
Conditioning Module
(HVAC MOD), Head-
lamp Wash (HDLP
WASH), Compass (COM-
PAS)
M35 Ð 10 Amp
RedHeated Mirrors
M36 Ð 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet #3 (BATT)
M37 Ð 10 Amp
RedAnti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), Electronic Stabil-
ity Program (ESP), Stop
Lamp Switch (STP LP
SW), Fuel Pump Rly Hi
Control
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 479
7