tow DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Workshop Manual

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE gear can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in DRIVE, move the gear
selector lever into third gear (with four-speed transmis-
sion) or fifth gear (with six-speed transmission).
NOTE:Moving the gear selector lever into third gear
(with four-speed transmission) or fifth gear (with six-
speed transmission) while operating the vehicle under
heavy operating conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat build up. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the ªMain-
tenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this manual for trans-
mission fluid change intervals.
Seven-Pin Connector
STARTING AND OPERATING 405
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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

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle behind another vehicle (flat-
towing with all four wheels on the ground) IS NOT
RECOMMENDED.NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 407
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................410
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................410
mJacking And Tire Changing................412
NJack Location........................413mJump-Starting Procedure..................425
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................427
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................428
NTowing With The Ignition Key............428
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
For vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, if it
is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the
vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit.
412 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Location
The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed
behind the rear left side trim panel in the rear cargo area.
Turn the two cover latches to release the cover.
Remove the pouch containing the scissors jack, jack
handle, and tools.
Rear Compartment Features
1 - Tie Down 5 - Liftgate Close Switch
2 - Switch Bank 6 - Bag Holders
3 - Tire Jack/Handle7 - Child Seat LATCH Anchor
4 - Cubby/Speaker 8 - Rechargeable Flash LightWHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 413
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Spare Tire Removal
For vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, the spare
tire is stowed inside a protective cover located under the
center of the vehicle by means of a cable winch mecha-
nism. The ªspare tire driveº nut is located on the floor,
under a plastic cap at the front of the floor console.
NOTE:The base console, if equipped, must be removed
to raise and lower the spare tire. Refer to ªConsole
Featuresº in Section 3, for the console removal procedure.
The tool pouch contains three pieces and can be as-
sembled into a Spare Tire Hook; to remove the compact
spare tire/cover assembly from under the vehicle, or a
Winch ªTº Handle; to raise/lower the compact spare
tire/cover assembly.
Stow 'n Go Tools
414 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
²Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in park; a manual transmission in
reverse.
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
²Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
²To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
²Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
416 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

10. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the
left.
11. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N´m). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service
station.
12. Lower the jack to its fully-closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire
repaired or replaced immediately.13. Place the deflated (flat) tire and compact spare tire
cover assembly in the rear cargo area.Do not stow the
deflated tire in the spare tire location.Have the full
sized tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
14. Stow the cable and wheel spacer before driving the
vehicle. Reassemble the winch handle extensions to form
a ªT' and fit the winch ªTº handle over the drive nut.
Rotate the nut to the right until the winch mechanism
clicks at least three times.
15. Stow the jack, jack handle and winch handle tools.
16. Check the compact spare tire pressure as soon as
possible. Correct pressure as required.Wheel Nuts
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the
bolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles
422 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

of operation, and after each time a tire is changed, to
allow the wheel nuts to become properly set. All nuts
should first be firmly seated against the wheel. The nuts
should then be tightened to recommended torque.
Tighten the nuts to final torque in increments. Progress
around the bolt circle, tightening the nut opposite to the
nut just previously tightened until final torque is
achieved. Recommended torque is 95 ft lbs (130 N´m).
Secure The Spare Tire As Follows:
1. To stow the compact spare tire/cover assembly on
vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, assemble the
winch handle extensions to form a ªT' and fit the winch
ªTº handle over the drive nut. Rotate the nut to the left
until the winch mechanism stops turning freely. This will
allow enough slack in the cable to allow you to pull the
wheel spacer out from under the vehicle.
WARNING!
A loose compact spare tire/cover assembly, thrown
forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger
the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the com-
pact spare tire with the cover assembly in the place
provided.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
winch ªTº handle only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 423
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