warning DODGE CARAVAN 2012 Owners Manual

Cleaning Interior Trim
Interior trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, a damp cloth with MOPARTotal Clean or equiva-
lent, then MOPAR Spot & Stain Remover or equivalent
if absolutely necessary. Do not use harsh cleaners or
Armor All. Use MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent to
clean vinyl upholstery
Cleaning Leather Upholstery
MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent is specifically recom-
mended for leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent. Care should be
taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean
your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lightweight
and less susceptible to stone breakage than glass head-
lights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 575
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
•Failure to properly inspect and maintain your
vehicle could result in a component malfunction
and effect vehicle handling and performance. This
could cause an accident.
8
MA I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 607
ProCarManuals.com

We appreciate that you have made a major investment
when you purchased the vehicle. An authorized dealer
has also made a major investment in facilities, tools, and
training to assure that you are absolutely delighted with
the ownership experience. You’ll be pleased with their
sincere efforts to resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.
WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain, or emit, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects, or other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain, or emit, chemi-
cals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
See the Warranty Information Booklet, located on the
DVD, for the terms and provisions of Chrysler Group
LLC warranties applicable to this vehicle and market.
MOPARPARTS
MOPAR fluids, lubricants, parts, and accessories are
available from an authorized dealer. They are recom-
mended for your vehicle in order to help keep the vehicle
operating at its best.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
In the 50 United States and Washington, D.C.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could
cause a crash or cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying the
manufacturer.
614 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
ProCarManuals.com

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 617
ProCarManuals.com

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
618 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 564
Adding Fuel ........................... 490
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 561
Additives, Fuel ......................... 484
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 210
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 553
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 557
Air Conditioning ........................ 393
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 393
Air Conditioning Filter .................413,558
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 557
Air Conditioning System .............393,400,557
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 393
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 413
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone .............398,408
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 462
Airbag .............................. 70,79
Airbag Deployment ....................... 81
Airbag Light .................... 77,83,101,293Airbag Maintenance
....................... 82
Airbag, Side ........................ 74,76,79
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........74,76,79
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 294
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 343
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 289
Anti-Theft System ........................ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............563,589
Disposal ........................... 565
Appearance Care ........................ 571
Ashtray ............................... 253
Assist, Hill Start ........................ 449
Assistance Towing ....................... 139
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 39
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 39
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 112
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 35
620 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Headlights.................... 199
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 400
Automatic Transaxle Selection Of Lubricant ................. 591
Automatic Transmission ................422,569
Adding Fluid ....................... 571
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 571
Fluid Change ....................... 571
Fluid Level Check .................... 571
Fluid Type ...................... 570,591
Gear Ranges ........................ 427
Special Additives ..................... 570
B-Pillar Location ........................ 457
Battery ............................... 556
Jump Starting ....................... 532
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 204
Belts, Seat ............................. 101 Blind Spot Monitoring
.................... 117
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 560
Brake Assist System ...................... 444
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 443
Brake Fluid ............................ 591
Brake System ........................... 567
Fluid Check ........................ 568
Parking ........................... 439
Warning Light ....................... 294
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 424
Brakes ............................... 567
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 98
Bulb Replacement ....................... 586
Bulbs, Light ......................... 103,585
Calibration, Compass ..................... 314
Camera, Rear ........................... 224
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 589
10
INDEX 621
ProCarManuals.com

Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 490
Oil (Engine) ........................ 552
Power Steering ...................... 438
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 565
Car Washes ............................ 572
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..............100,486
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 260
Cargo Compartment Luggage Carrier ..................... 271
Caution, Exhaust Gas ...................... 51
Cellular Phone ....................... 125,392
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 588
Chains, Tire ............................ 470
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 514
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 453
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............291,547
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 99Checks, Safety
........................... 99
Child Restraint ...................... 85,86,87
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 90
Child Safety Locks ........................ 46
Child Seat .............................. 89
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 482
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 573
Climate Control ......................... 393
Clock ............................. 323,332
Coat Hook ............................ 260
Coin Holder ........................... 261
Cold Weather Operation ................... 420
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 392
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 465
Compass .............................. 313
Compass Calibration ..................... 314
Compass Variance ....................... 314
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 311
622 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 565
Engine Oil ......................... 552
Door Locks ............................. 32
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 35
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 231
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 434
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 435
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 310
E-85 Fuel ............................. 486
Economy (Fuel) Mode .................... 425
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 114
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 244
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 443
Brake Assist System ................... 444
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 212Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
............. 445
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) ....................... 224,300
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 513
Jacking ......................... 514,523
Jump Starting ....................... 532
Overheating ........................ 513
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 547
Engine Air Cleaner ......................... 553
Block Heater ........................ 422
Break-In Recommendations .............. 98
Checking Oil Level ................... 550
Compartment ....................... 545
Compartment Identification ............. 545
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 590
Cooling ........................... 562
Exhaust Gas Caution .............51,100,486
624 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Flooded, Starting..................... 420
Fuel Requirements ................. 482,589
Oil ......................... 550,589,590
Oil Change Interval ................... 551
Oil Disposal ........................ 552
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 552
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 552
Oil Selection ..................... 551,589
Oil Synthetic ........................ 552
Overheating ........................ 513
Starting ........................... 419
Temperature Gauge ................... 296
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 80
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 19
Ethanol ............................... 483
Event Data Recorder ...................... 84
Exhaust Gas Caution ................51,100,486
Exhaust System ...................... 100,554
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 70 Exterior Folding Mirrors
................... 114
Exterior Lights .......................... 103
Fabric Care ............................ 574
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 293
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 553
Air Conditioning .................. 413,558
Engine Oil ....................... 552,590
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 552
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 204
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 513
Turn Signal ................ 103,286,587,588
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 489
Engine Oil ......................... 489
Fuel Requirements ................. 486,488
Maintenance ........................ 490
10
INDEX 625
ProCarManuals.com