ECU DODGE CARAVAN 2009 Owner's Guide

Gate Operator/Canadian Programming
Canadian radio frequency laws require transmitter sig-
nals to time-out (or quit) after several seconds of trans-
mission – which may not be long enough for HomeLink
to pick up the signal during programming. Similar to this
Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are designed to
time-out in the same manner.
It may be helpful to unplug the device during the cycling
process to prevent possible overheating of the garage
door or gate motor.
If you are having difficulties programming a garage door
opener or a gate operator, replace “Programming
HomeLink” Step 3, with the following:
3. Continue to press and hold the HomeLinkbutton
while you press and release - every two seconds
(“cycle”) your handheld transmitter until HomeLinkhas successfully accepted the frequency signal. The
indicator light will flash slowly and then rapidly when
fully trained.
If you unplugged the device for training, plug it back in
at this time.
Then proceed with Step 4 under “Programming
HomeLink,” earlier in this section.
Security
It is advised to erase all channels before you sell or turn
in your vehicle.
To do this, press and hold the two outside buttons for
20 seconds until the red indicator flashes. Note that all
channels will be erased. Individual channels cannot be
erased.
The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver is disabled when
the Vehicle Security Alarm is active.
202 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

POWER SUNROOF — IF EQUIPPED
The power sunroof control switch is located in the front
overhead console.The sunroof panel tilts upward at the
rear for ventilation or slides rearward under the roof.
Power Sunroof Operation
Opening the Sunroof Manually
Press the switch rearward and hold, and the sunroof will
open automatically from any position. The sunroof will
open fully, then stop automatically. During this opera-
tion, any release of the sunroof switch will stop the
sunroof.
WARNING!
In an accident, there is greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seat belt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured.
Closing the Sunroof Manually
To close the sunroof from an open or vent position, press
and hold the switch forward. The sunroof will close fully
and stop automatically. Release the switch to stop sun-
roof travel at any point.
Sunroof Sunshade Operation
The sunroof sunshade can be opened manually. How-
ever, the sunshade will open automatically as the sunroof
opens.
204 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

Pull the drawer out firmly until it stops, and place the
container to be held in either one of the cupholder wells.
The cupholders are designed to accommodate a wide
variety of container types and sizes. Press down on the
container to engage the cupholder retention features.
Interior Bottle Holders
There are four bottle holders located in the interior. One
bottle holder is molded into each front interior door trim
panels, and one bottle holder is molded into each side
sliding interior door trim panel. Each holder accommo-
dates up to a 20 oz (1 L) plastic bottle.
Two outboard mesh pockets are on intermediate seating.
The mesh pockets are flexible enough to hold juice boxes,
toys, games or MP3 players, etc.
Smoker’s Package Kit — If Equipped
With the optional authorized dealer-installed Smoker’s
Package Kit, a removable ash receiver is inserted into one
of the two cupholders in the center front instrument
panel. To install the ash receiver, align the receiver so the
thumb grip on the lid is facing rearward. Press the ash
receiver into either of the cup wells to secure. Pull
upward on the ash receiver to remove for cleaning
and/or storage.
Front Cupholders
210 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

The tie down holes on the crossbar ends should always
be used to tie down the load. Check the straps frequently
to be sure that the load remains securely attached.
CAUTION!
•Crossbars should remain equally spaced or paral-
lel at any luggage rack position for proper func-
tion. Noncompliance could result in damage to the
luggage rack, cargo and/or vehicle.
•To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do
not exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity of
150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads as
evenly as possible and secure the load appropri-
ately.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Long loads which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
•Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic, can add sudden upward lift to
a load. This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
226 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in per-
sonal injury or property damage. Follow the Roof
Rack Cautions when carrying cargo on your roof
rack.
SUN SCREENS — IF EQUIPPED
Sun screens are available for second and third row
seating windows. The screens store in the sill trim panels,
and the tops of the windows are equipped with hooks
that the sun screens attach to when pulled out.Gently pull up on the tab to raise the sun screen.
Continue pulling the sun screen until the tab is near the
top of the window.
Sun Screen Retracted
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 227
3
ProCarManuals.com

18. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the engine
is started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for four minutes when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
19. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.
20. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulbcheck or when driving, if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will illuminate
and the chime will sound. Refer to the Occupant Re-
straints section for more information.
21. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds when the vehicle security
alarm is arming and then will flash slowly until
vehicle is disarmed.
22. Airbag Warning Light
This light turns on and remains on for four
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
244 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
ProCarManuals.com

•Use the <> buttons to jump to the
previous or next track. If the < pressed during the first two seconds of the track, it will
jump to the previous track in the list, if you press this
button at any other time in the track it will jump to the
beginning of the track. If you press theSEEK>>
button during play mode, it will jump to the next track
in the list.
•While a track is playing, press theINFObutton to see
the associated metadata (Artist, track title, album, etc.)
for that track. Pressing theINFObutton again jumps
to the next screen of data for that track. Once you have
seen all screens, the lastINFObutton press will take
you back to the play mode screen on the radio.
•Pressing theREPEATbutton will change the iPod
mode to repeat the current playing track.
•Press theSCANbutton to use iPodscan mode, which
will play the first five seconds of each track in thecurrent list and then forward to the next song. To stop
SCAN mode and start playing the desired track, when
it is playing the track, press theSCANbutton again.
During Scan mode you can also press the < andSEEK>> buttons to select the previous and next
tracks.
•RNDbutton (available on sales code RES radio only):
Pressing this button toggles between Shuffle ON and
Shuffle OFF modes for the iPod.IftheRNDicon is
showing on the radio display, then the shuffle mode is
ON.
List Or Browse Mode
During Play mode, pressing any of the buttons described
below, takes you to List mode. List mode enables you to
scroll through the list of menus and tracks on the iPod.
•TUNEcontrol knob: TheTUNEcontrol knob functions
in a similar manner as the scroll wheel on the iPod.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 289
4
ProCarManuals.com

When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transaxle locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade, and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position on an automatic
transaxle as a substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake fully when
parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always move the shift lever into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking
brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition,
the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave unattended
children or pets inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have placed the shift lever into the PARK position:
•When moving the shift lever into PARK, depress the
button on the shift lever and firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com

Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into 2nd gear
(3rd gear for six-speed). The transaxle remains in 2nd
gear (3rd gear for six-speed) despite the forward gear
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transaxle.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transaxle can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Restart the engine.5. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended 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 transaxle cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com

Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to ensure that
it is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle-by-axle and side-by-side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles, and the way
the brakes operate.
STARTING AND OPERATING 391
5
ProCarManuals.com