air conditioning DODGE CARAVAN 2009 Owners Manual

Climate Controls...................... 301
▫Manual Heating, Ventilation And Air
Conditioning (HVAC) System............ 301
▫Rear Manual Climate Control Zone — If
Equipped.......................... 308
▫Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped.......................... 310
▫Summer Operation................... 318▫Winter Operation..................... 319
▫Vacation/Storage..................... 319
▫Window Fogging..................... 319
▫Outside Air Intake.................... 319
▫Operating Tips...................... 320
▫A/C Air Filter— If Equipped............ 320
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RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the cellular phone being ON in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition
is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance
does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Climate Control System allows you to regulate the
temperature, amount, and direction of air circulating
throughout the vehicle. The controls are located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.
Manual Heating, Ventilation And Air Conditioning
(HVAC) System
The controls for the manual HVAC system in this vehicle
consist of a series of outer rotary dials and inner push
knobs. These comfort controls can be set to obtain desired
interior conditions.
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Front Blower Control
There are four blower speeds. Use this
control to regulate the amount of air
forced through the system in any
mode you select. The blower speed
increases as you move the control
clockwise from the off position.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the “O” (Off)
position.
1 – Front Blower 4 – RECIRCULATION Control
2 – Temperature Control 5 – Air Conditioning (A/C)
3 – MODE Control 6 – DEFROST Mode
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Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. Rotating the knob coun-
terclockwise, from top center into the
blue area of the scale, indicates cooler
temperatures. Rotating the knob clock-
wise, into the red area, indicates
warmer temperatures.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser (located in front of the radiator), for an accumu-
lation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
Mode Control (Air Direction)
Mode control allows you to choose
from several patterns of air distribu-
tion. You can select either a primary
mode, as identified by the symbols, or
a blend of two of these modes. The
closer the control is to a particular
mode, the more air distribution you
receive from that mode.
Panel Mode
Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument
panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct airflow.
Bi-Level Mode
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
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NOTE:There is a difference in temperature (in any
conditions other than full cold or full hot), between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Floor Mode
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount through the defrost and side window
demist outlets.
Mix Mode
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at
the windshield. This setting is good for maintaining
comfort, while reducing moisture on the windshield.
Defrost Mode
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use DEFROST mode with
maximum blower and temperature settings for best
windshield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
MIX and DEFROST, or a blend of these modes even if the
A/C SNOWFLAKE button is not pressed. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary.
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NOTE:For maximum airflow to the rear, the center
instrument panel outlets can be directed toward the rear
seat passengers.
Economy Mode
If ECONOMY mode is desired, press the A/C button to
turn off the indicator light and the A/C compressor.
Rotate the temperature control knob to the desired
temperature.
Air Conditioning Operation
Push on this button to engage the Air
Conditioning (A/C). A light will illu-
minate when the A/C System is en-
gagedNOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
Max A/C
For maximum cooling use the A/C and RECIRCULA-
TION mode buttons at the same time.
Three-Zone Basic Temperature Control — If
Equipped
With the Three-Zone Basic Temperature Control System,
each front seat occupant can independently control the
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) op-
erations coming from the outlets on their side of the
vehicle.
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The Three-Zone Basic Temperature Control bottom panel
controls rear Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
(HVAC) operations.
Front Upper Three Zone Temperature Control
1 – Left Temperature 7 – Right Temperature
2 – PANEL 8 – Rear DEFROST
3 – BI-LEVEL 9 – RECIRCULATION
4 – Front Blower 10 – Front DEFROST
5 – FLOOR 11 – Air Conditioning (A/C)
6–MIX
Front Lower Three-Zone Temperature Control Features
1 – Left Heated Seat 3 – Rear Temperature
2 – Rear Blower 4 – Right Heated SeatUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 307
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The Infrared Three-Zone ATC System automatically
maintains the interior comfort level desired by the driver
and all passengers. This is accomplished by an infrared
sensor, located in the forward overhead console. Based
on the sensor input, the system automatically adjusts the
air temperature, the airflow volume, amount of outside
air recirculation and the airflow direction. This maintains
a comfortable temperature, even under changing condi-
tions.
Front Upper ATC Panel
1 - System On/Off 9 - Air Conditioning (A/C) On/Off
2 - Blower Indicator 10 - AUTO Mode / Blower
3 - Left Front Temperature 11 - Front MODE
4 - SYNC Indicator 12 - RECIRCULATE
5 - Rear Blower / Temperature 13 - Front DEFROST
6 - A/C Indicator 14 - Blower Speed
7 - Right Front Temperature 15 - SYNC
8 - MODE Indicator
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Panel Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument panel.
Each of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. The air vanes of the center outlets
and outboard outlets can be rotated to regulate or shut off
the airflow from these outlets.
Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor
outlets and defrost outlets. A slight amount of air is
also directed through the side window demister outlets.
NOTE:In many temperature positions, the BI-LEVEL
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the panel
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount of
air is directed through the defrost and side window
demister outlets.Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demist outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions. It allows you to stay comfort-
able, while keeping the windshield clear.
Defrost Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window
demist outlets. Use DEFROST mode with maxi-
mum blower and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:While operating in the other modes, the system
will not automatically sense the presence of fog, mist or
ice on the windshield. DEFROST mode must be manually
selected to clear the windshield and side glass.
The SNOWFLAKE mode, or A/C button, allows
the operator to manually activate or deactivate the
air conditioning system. When in SNOWFLAKE
mode, and the ATC display is on cool, dehumidified air
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to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in section 7 of this manual for proper coolant
selection. Use of the air RECIRCULATION mode during
Winter months is not recommended, because it may
cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes, infresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild, rainy
and/or humid weather. To clear the windows, select
DEFROST or MIX mode and increase the front blower
speed. Do not use the RECIRCULATION mode without
A/C for long periods, as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
Winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
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