light DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Manual Online

A/C AIR FILTER Ð IF EQUIPPED
On vehicles equipped with Automatic Temperature Con-
trol (ATC), the climate control system filters out dust and
pollen from the air. Refer to Section 7 ªAir Conditioningº
for filter replacement instructions.
ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER Ð IF
EQUIPPED
Press this button (located on your front climate
control) to turn on the rear window defroster and
the optional heated mirrors. A light will show that the
defroster is on. The defroster automatically turns off after
about ten minutes of operation, as long as the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
After the initial time interval has expired, if the rear
window defogger switch is pressed to the on position
again (during the same ignition cycle), the system will
automatically turn off after about five minutes.NOTE:You may turn off the heated mirror feature at
anytime by pressing the rear window defogger switch a
second time.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
320 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

5. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommended that you visit an authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied by depressing the pedal located at
the bottom left of the instrument panel and place the gearselector lever in the PARK position. To release the park-
ing brake, depress the emergency break pedal a second
time and let your foot up as you feel the brake disengage.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the gear selector lever is in the PARK position. When
parking on a hill you should apply the parking brake
Parking Brake
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BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. However, there will
be some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be
evident by increased pedal travel during application and
greater pedal force required to slow or stop the vehicle. In
addition, if the malfunction is caused by a leak in the
hydraulic system, the brake warning indicator will turn
on as the brake fluid level drops in the master cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.WARNING!
²Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot rest-
ing or riding on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive
lining wear, and possible brake damage. You
wouldn't have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
²Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is dan-
gerous. A significant decrease in braking perfor-
mance or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or
will make your vehicle harder to control. You
could have an accident. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.
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ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake per-
formance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically ªpumpsº the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock-up.
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You may experience the following when the brake system
goes into Anti-lock:
²The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop).
²A clicking sound of solenoid valves.
²Brake pedal pulsations.
²A slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end
of the stop.
WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisti-
cated electronic equipment that may be suscep-
tible to interference caused by improperly in-
stalled or high output radio transmitting
equipment. This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of
such equipment should be performed by qualified
professionals.
²Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive,
and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type, and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
Anti-Lock Brake Light
The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock System.
The light will come 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 comes 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.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of anti-lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
bulb repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribu-
tion (EBD) systems are not functioning. Immediate repair
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to the ABS system is required. Consult with your autho-
rized dealer service center as soon as possible.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes TCS (Traction Control
System), BAS (Brake Assist System) and ESP (Electronic
Stability Program). These systems complement the Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS) by optimizing the vehicle
braking capability during emergency braking maneu-
vers.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle isspinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if the ESP is in the
ªPartial Offº mode.
The Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator
Light, located in the instrument cluster, starts
to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the
wheels begin to spin. This indicates that the
TCS is active. If the indicator light flashes during accel-
eration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions, and do not
switch off the ESP or TCS.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESP ON
This is the normal operating mode for ESP on 2WD
vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is started, the ESP system
will be in this mode. This mode should be used for most
driving situations. ESP should only be turned off for
specific reasons as noted below.
ESP Partial OFF
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the ESP
OFF switch (located in the center switch bank, next to the
hazard flasher switch).
When in Partial OFF mode, the TCS portion of
ESP, except for the ªlimited slipº feature de-
scribed in the TCS section, has been disabled
and the ESP/TCS Indicator Light will be illu-
minated. All other stability features of the ESP function
normally. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle
is in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more
wheel spin than ESP would normally allow is required togain traction. To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress
the ESP OFF switch. This will restore the normal ESP ON
mode of operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the Partial OFF
mode by pressing the ESP OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the Partial OFF mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ESP OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle
is in motion.
ESP/BAS Warning Light
The malfunction indicator light for the ESP is
combined with BAS. The ESP/BAS Warning
light and the ESP/TCS Indicator Light in the
instrument cluster both come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. They should
go out with the engine running. If the ESP/BAS Warning
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Light comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or the
BAS system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles/
kilometers at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see
your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
²The ESP/TCS Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Warn-
ing Light come on momentarily each time the ignition
switch is turned ON.
²Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
²The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active, this is normal. The sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
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WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
²P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
²European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter9P9is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
²LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
²Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
²High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards, and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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