weight DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Owner's Manual

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or authorized dealer-installed
options, must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information
placard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this
manual for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components, the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
²During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR
or GCWR ratings.
400 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. Always, block or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 401
5

4. Trailer tongue weight rating for that trailer hitch.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of trailer tongue weight
as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
²
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires±General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
²Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
²Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires±General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
²When replacing tires refer to the Tires±General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires
for proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
²
Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
²An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
402 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. To maintain the high gloss shine, apply a scratch and
swirl remover onto a damp cloth and apply to door
applique. Rub the applique with a firm pressure then buff
lightly with a clean cotton cloth until a high gloss shine is
achieved.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lightweight
and less susceptible to stone breakage than glass head-
lights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MopartGlass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instruments which may
scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rearview mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
472 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Requirements......................377,486
System Hoses......................... 461
Tank Capacity........................ 486
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution..................... 380
Fueling............................... 382
Fuses................................ 474
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 185
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............382,384
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 378
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 377
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 379
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 226
Fuel................................ 226
Speedometer......................... 227
Tachometer.......................... 229
Gearshift.............................. 330General Information...............18,27,131,377
Glass Cleaning.......................... 472
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 155
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............389,394
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............389,393
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ).......104,283,284
Hard Drive (HDD)....................280,283
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 346
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 410
Head Restraints......................... 134
Headlights............................ 163
Bulb Replacement...................... 482
Cleaning............................ 472
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 170
Lights On Reminder.................... 165
On With Wipers....................... 164
INDEX 515
10

Tread Wear Indicators................... 364
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 422
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 399
Towing............................... 393
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 117
Disabled Vehicle....................... 428
Guide.............................. 398
Recreational.......................407,429
Weight.............................. 398
Towing Assistance....................... 117
Traction Control......................... 340
Traction Control Switch................... 340
Trailer Towing.......................... 393
Cooling System Tips.................... 406
Hitches............................. 397
Minimum Requirements................. 400
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 399
Wiring.............................. 404
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 398Trailer Weight.......................... 398
Transaxle............................. 328
Automatic........................... 328
Operation........................... 328
Overdrive........................... 332
Selection of Lubricant................465,488
Transmission........................... 464
Automatic........................... 464
Fluid............................465,488
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry).. 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 185
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 21
Transporting Pets........................ 89
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 364
Trip Computer.......................... 238
Trip Odometer.......................... 229
Turn Signals...................166,227,483,484
UCI Connector......................... 292
INDEX 525
10