air conditioning DODGE CARAVAN 2010 Owners Manual

▫CD Player ......................... 296
 CD/DVD Disc Maintenance .............. 296
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 297
 Climate Controls ...................... 297
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning
System — If Equipped ................. 298
▫ Three-Zone Temperature Control —
If Equipped ........................ 302
▫ Rear Manual Climate Control —
If Equipped ........................ 304 ▫
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped ........................ 306
▫ Summer Operation ................... 314
▫ Winter Operation .................... 315
▫ Vacation/Storage .................... 315
▫ Window Fogging .................... 315
▫ Outside Air Intake ................... 315
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 316
▫ A/C Air Filter— If Equipped ............ 316
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Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System —
If Equipped
The controls for the manual system in this vehicle contain
a series of outer rotary dials and inner push knobs. These
comfort controls can be set to obtain desired interior
conditions.
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. Blower control should be left in the ON
position to allow the climate control to either warm or
cool the vehicle.
Manual Temperature Control
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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 indicates cooler tempera-
tures. Rotating the knob clockwise,
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 selections 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 for direction,
and turned on or off to control airflow.
NOTE: For maximum airflow to the rear, the center
instrument panel outlets can be directed toward the rear
seat passengers.
4
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Bi-Level Mode
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
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 button is not pressed. This dehumidifies the air to
help dry the windshield. To improve fuel economy, use
these modes only when necessary.
Recirculation Control
Press this button to choose between outside air
intake or recirculation of the air inside the
vehicle. A lamp will illuminate when you are in
RECIRCULATION mode. Only use the RECIR-
CULATION mode to temporarily block out any outside
odors, smoke, or dust, and to cool the interior rapidly
upon initial start-up in very hot or humid weather.
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NOTE:
•If the RECIRCULATION button is pressed when the
system is in MIX, DEFROST, or FLOOR mode the
RECIRCULATION LED indicator will flash 3 times to
indicate RECIRCULATION mode is not allowed.
•Continuous use of the RECIRCULATION mode may
make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may
occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended.
•In cold or damp weather, the use of the RECIRCULA-
TION mode will cause windows to fog on the inside
because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. For
maximum defogging, select the outside air position.
•In order to prevent fogging, when the RECIRCULA-
TION button is pressed and the mode control is set to
PANEL, the A/C will engage automatically.
•The A/C can be deselected manually without disturb-
ing the mode control selection.
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-
gaged.4
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NOTE: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 Temperature Control — If Equipped
With the Three-Zone Temperature Control System, each
front seat occupant can independently control the Heat-
ing, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning operations coming
from the outlets on their side of the vehicle.
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
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The Three-Zone Temperature Control bottom panel con-
trols rear Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
operations.The primary control for the rear blower is on the front
climate control unit located on the instrument panel.
When the front control is in any position other than rear,
the front control operates all the rear functions.
The Three-Zone Temperature Control bottom panel has
five positions; off, rear, and a range of blower speeds.
Only when the primary control for the rear blower is in
the rear (RR) position do the second row seat occupants
have control of the rear blower speed.
The rear airflow modes will mirror the front unit opera-
tion. Rear PANEL mode is automatically selected when
the front control is in the PANEL mode. When the front
unit is in BI-LEVEL mode, airflow will be emitted from
both the upper and lower rear outlets. When the front
control is in FLOOR, DEFROST, or MIX modes, airflow
will be directed out of the rear floor outlets.
Front Lower Three-Zone Temperature Control Features
1 – Left Heated Seat
3 – Rear Temperature
2 – Rear Blower 4 – Right Heated Seat
4
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Front Upper ATC Panel
1 - System On/Off9 - Air Conditioning (A/C) On/
Off
2 - Blower Indicator 10 - AUTO Mode / Blower
3 - Left Front Temperature 11 - Front MODE
4 - Rear Blower / Temperature
/ Mode 12 - RECIRCULATE
5 - SYNC Indicator 13 - Front DEFROST
6 - A/C Indicator 14 - Front Blower Speed
7 - Right Front Temperature 15 - SYNC
8 - Front MODE IndicatorFront Lower ATC Panel
1 - Rear Blower Speed 4 - Rear ATC Lock
2 - Rear Temperature / Rear
System On/Off 5 - Rear DEFROST
3 - Rear MODE
4
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Floor ModeAir 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
flows through the air outlets. If ECONOMY mode is
desired, press the SNOWFLAKE button to turn off the
SNOWFLAKE mode in the ATC display, and deactivate
the A/C system.
NOTE:
•If the system is in Mix or Defrost Mode, the SNOW-
FLAKE can be turned off, but the A/C system shall
remain active to prevent fogging of the windows.
•If fog or mist appears on the windshield or side glass,
select DEFROST mode and increase blower speed.
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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 “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air RECIRCULATION mode
during Winter months is not recommended, because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Before 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, in
fresh air with the blower setting on 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.4
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