automatic transmission DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Owners Manual

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
Remote Starting conveniently starts the engine from
outside the vehicle by using the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter while maintaining the Security Alarm
System. The Remote Starting System has a targeted range
of 328 ft (100 m). In order to Remote Start your vehicle,
the hood, liftgate, and all the doors must be closed and
the transmission gear selector lever in PARK.
NOTE:Remote Starting requires automatic transaxle-
equipped vehicles.
How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will Remote Start:
²Gear shift lever in PARK
²Doors closed
²Hood closed
²Trunk closed
²HAZARD switch off
²BRAKE switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed)
²Ignition key removed from ignition switch
²Battery at an acceptable charge level, and
²RKE PANIC button not pressed.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Enter the Vehicle After Remote Start
To enter the vehicle while the engine is running during a
Remote Start, you must first unlock the vehicle using the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter. After the vehicle is
unlocked, you have 60 seconds to enter the vehicle, insert
the key into the ignition switch and move it to the RUN
position, otherwise the engine will cancel Remote Start-
ing and automatically turn off.
To Exit Remote Start Mode and Drive the Vehicle
Before the end of the 15 minute cycle, press and release
the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter to unlock
the doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm (if
equipped). Then, prior to the end of the 15 minute cycle,
insert the key into the ignition switch and turn the switch
to the ON position.
NOTE:
²The ignition switch must be in the ON position in
order to drive the vehicle.
²For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the message ªInsert Key/
Turn To Runº will flash in the EVIC until you insert
the key. Once inserted, the message ªTurn To Runº
will flash in the EVIC until you turn the key to run.
Cancel Remote Start
Remote Starting will also cancel if any of the following
occur:
²The engine stalls or RPM exceeds 2500.
²Any engine warning telltale lights come on.
²The hood is opened.
²The Hazard Switch is pressed.
²The transmission gear selector lever is moved out of
PARK.
²Pressing the brake pedal.
²Allow the engine to run for the entire 15 minute cycle.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²The power liftgate must be in the full open or close
positions for any of the buttons to operate. If the
liftgate is not in the full open or close positions, it must
be opened or closed manually.
²If the liftgate release button is activated while the
power liftgate is closing, the liftgate will reverse to the
full open position.
²The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the
transmission gear selector lever is in gear or the
vehicle speed is above 0 mph (0 km/h).
²The power liftgate will not operate in temperatures
below212ÉF (224ÉC) or temperatures above 143ÉF
(62ÉC). Be sure to remove any buildup of snow or ice
from the liftgate before pressing any of the power
liftgate buttons.
²If the power liftgate encounters multiple obstructions
within the same cycle, the system will automatically
stop and must be opened or closed manually.
WARNING!
²Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
²If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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Daytime Running Lights (Canada/Fleet Vehicles
Only)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started and the transmission is in any gear
except PARK. This provides a constant lights on condi-
tion until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights illuminate
at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the parking brake
is applied the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) will turn
off. Also, if a turn signal is activated, the DRL lamp on the
same side of the vehicle will turn off for the duration of
the turn signal activation. Once the turn signal is no
longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate.
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch knob to the 2nd
detent to turn the headlights and park lights
on. This also turns on all instrument panel
lighting.To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the dimmer control up or down.
Automatic Headlights Ð If Equipped
This system automatically turns your headlights on or off
based on ambient light levels. To turn the system on, turn
the headlight switch to the extreme counterclockwise
position aligning the indicator with theªAºon the
headlight switch. When the system is on, the Headlight
Time Delay feature is also on. This means your headlights
will stay on for up to 90 seconds after you turn the
ignition switch OFF. To turn the Automatic System off,
turn the headlight switch clockwise to theªOºoff
position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
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NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system has been
designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
functions are operated simultaneously in order to ensure
proper operation. If this occurs, the system can be
reactivated by pushing the speed control switch ON/
OFF button and resetting the desired vehicle SET speed.
Accelerating To Pass
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
Your vehicle may experience a downshift (automatic
transmissions only) while climbing uphill or descending
downhill. This downshift is necessary to maintain vehicle
set speed.On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
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Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.9.Tachometer Ð Premium Instrument Cluster Only
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
10. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.
NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
Park.
11. Odometer/Trip Odometer Ð If Equipped
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 229
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15. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come on when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced at an authorized dealer as soon as possible if this
occurs.16. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a continuous
chime will sound for four minutes. After the chime
turns off, the engine will still be critically hot until the
light turns off.
17. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC.) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a prob-
lem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when
the vehicle has completely stopped and the gear selector
is placed in the PARK position. The light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running your
vehicle will usually be drivable, however, see your dealer
for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
232 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

1. Turn the ignition switch ON.
2. Press and hold the compass button for approximately
two seconds.
3. Press the STEP button until ªCompass Varianceº mes-
sage and the last variance zone number displays in the
EVIC.
4. Press and release STEP button until the proper vari-
ance zone is selected according to the map.
5. Press and release the compass button to exit.
PERSONAL SETTINGS (CUSTOMER
PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK. If the trans-
mission is out of PARK or the vehicle begins moving, a
warning messagePERSONAL SETTING NOT AVAIL-
ABLEfollowed in three seconds byVEHICLE NOT IN
PARK.Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings displays in the EVIC.
Use the Step button to display one of the following
choices:
Language
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the reset button while in this display to select English,
Spanish (EspaÞol), French (FranÕais), Italian (Italiano),
German (Deutsch), and Dutch (Nederlands). Then, as
you continue, the information will display in the selected
language.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until ON or OFF appears.
248 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Unlock Doors Automatically on Exit
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the PARK or
NEUTRAL position and the driver's door is opened. To
make your selection, press and release the RESET button
until ON or OFF appears.
Remote Key Unlock
WhenDriver Door 1st Pressis selected, only the driver's
door will unlock on the first press of the remote keyless
entry unlock button. When Driver Door 1st Press is
selected, you must press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button twice to unlock the passenger's doors.
WhenAll Doors 1st Pressis selected, all of the doors will
unlock on the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. To make your selection, press and release
the RESET button until ªDriver Door 1st Pressº or ªAll
Doors 1st Pressº appears.
Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected, a short horn sound will occur when
the remote keyless entry LOCK button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. To make your selection, press
and release the RESET button until ON or OFF appears.
Flash Lights with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected, the front and rear turn signals will
flash when the doors are locked or unlocked with the
remote keyless entry transmitter. This feature may be
selected with or without the sound horn on lock feature
selected. To make your selection, press and release the
RESET button until ON or OFF appears.
Automatic High Beams Ð If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the high beam headlights
will deactivate automatically under certain conditions. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249
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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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