tire pressure DODGE CARAVAN 2009 Owner's Guide

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
WARNING!
Because the front wheels drive and steer the vehicle,
it is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires
must be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle, for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
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Towing Requirements — Tires
•
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
“Tires–General Information” section for proper tire
inflation procedures.
•Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the “Tires–General
Information” section of this manual for the proper
inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to the “Tires–General Infor-
mation” section of this manual for proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load
carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
•
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.
•An 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.
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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 “T” and fit the winch “T” 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 the pressure, as required.Wheel Nuts
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally, to
eliminate 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
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 421
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FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then move the shift lever back and forth
between REVERSE and DRIVE. Usually the least amount
of accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking
motion without spinning the wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than
35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL, the distance to
be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km), and
the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h).
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmis-
sion gear failure.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 427
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Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves,
etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden
hose vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451
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FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
M15 — 20 Amp
YellowCOL MOD, IR SNS,
Heater Ventilation,
Air Conditioning/
Automatic Tempera-
ture Control (HVAC/
ATC), Rear View Mir-
ror (RR VW MIR),
Cabin Compartment
Node (CCN), Transfer
Case Switch (T-CASE
SW), RUN/ST, Multi-
Function Control
Switch (MULTIFTCN
SW), Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM), Glow
Plug Module (GLW
PLG MOD) — Export
Diesel Only
FUSES/TIPM
CavityCartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
M16 — 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint
Controller/Occupant
Classification Module
(ORC/OCM)
M17 — 15 Amp
BlueLeft Tail/License/
Park Lamp (LT-TAIL/
LIC/PRK LMP)
M18 — 15 Amp
BlueRight Tail/Park/Run
Lamp (RT-TAIL/
PRK/RUN LMP)
M19 — 25 Amp
NaturalAuto Shut Down
(ASD #1 and #2)
M20 — 15 Amp
BlueCabin Compartment
Node Interior Light
(CCN INT LIGHT),
Switch Bank (SW
BANK), Steering Con-
trol Module (SCM)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471
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NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your dealer, the message can be reset by referring to
the steps described under “Oil Change Required” in “Use
Factory Settings” of the EVIC section in this manual orunder “Odometer/Trip Odometer” in the “Instrument
Cluster Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut OFF. Checking the oil
level while the vehicle is on level ground will improve
the accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only
when the level is at or below the ADD, SAFE or MIN
mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 485
8
M
A
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N
A
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C
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C
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Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 452
Adding Fuel........................... 387
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 449
Additives, Fuel......................... 381
Adjustable Pedals....................... 182
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 441
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 446
Air Conditioning........................ 301
Air Conditioning Controls................. 301
Air Conditioning Filter.................320,447
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 320
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone.............308,315
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 446
Air Conditioning System.............301,310,446
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 306
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 359
Airbag..............................65,72
Airbag Deployment....................... 73
Airbag Light...................66,71,75,94,244Airbag Maintenance....................... 74
Airbag, Side..........................70,72
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)...........68,70,72
Alarm Light........................... 244
Alarm (Security Alarm).................... 18
Alignment and Balance................... 366
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 293
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........451,452,479
Disposal............................ 454
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 237
Anti-Theft System........................ 18
Appearance Care........................ 460
Ashtray............................... 210
Assistance Towing....................... 129
Auto Down Power Windows................ 40
Auto Up Power Windows................41,206
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 102
Automatic Door Locks...................34,35
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Camera, Rear........................... 192
Capacities, Fluid........................ 479
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 387
Oil (Engine).......................... 440
Power Steering........................ 338
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 453
Car Washes............................ 461
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 382
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 225
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 216
Caution, Exhaust Gas.................53,95,382
Cellular Phone....................... 115,301
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 478
Chains, Tire............................ 367
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 412
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 350Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............242,436
Child Restraint........................81,83
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 86
Child Safety Locks........................ 47
Child Seat.............................. 89
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 379
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 462
Climate Control......................... 301
Clock...........................263,267,276
Coat Hook............................ 216
Coin Holder........................... 217
Cold Weather Operation................... 325
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 300
Compact Spare Tire...................... 361
Compass........................248,251,257
Compass Calibration..................251,257
Compass Variance....................250,258
514 INDEX
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Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 245
Turn Signal........................476,477
Voltage............................. 245
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 236
Load Leveling System.................... 224
Loading Vehicle...................216,389,391
Capacities........................... 391
Tires ............................... 354
Locks
Door................................ 31
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 86
Lubrication, Body....................... 448
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................. 225
Lumbar Support........................ 149
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 444
Maintenance Procedures................... 438
Maintenance Schedule.................... 484Maintenance, Sunroof..................... 206
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 242,436
Manual, Service......................... 507
Map/Reading Lights..................... 195
Memory Feature (Memory Seat)............. 166
Memory Seat........................105,166
Mini-Trip Computer...................248,255
Mirrors............................... 102
Automatic Dimming.................... 102
Electric Remote....................... 104
Exterior Folding....................... 104
Heated............................. 105
Memory............................. 166
Outside............................. 103
Rearview............................ 102
Vanity.............................. 106
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 370
Mopar Parts.........................437,506
522 INDEX
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