towing DODGE CARAVAN 2012 Owner's Guide

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
546 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
•Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
556 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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56,000 Miles (91,000 km) or
42 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before
56,000 miles (91 000 km).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order #Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
64,000 Miles (104,000 km) or 48 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
❏ Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
64,000 miles (104 000 km).
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary.
❏ Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s) if using your vehicle for any of the
following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order #Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
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S600 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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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
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ConnectorUCI .............................. 346
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 346
Conserving Fuel ........................ 310
Console .............................. 261
Console, Floor .......................... 261
Console, Overhead ....................... 227
Console, Removable ...................... 265
Contract, Service ........................ 613
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 565
Cooling System ......................... 562
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 564
Coolant Capacity ..................... 589
Coolant Level .................... 562,565
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 565
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 563
Inspection .......................... 565
Points to Remember .................. 566 Pressure Cap
........................ 565
Radiator Cap ....................... 565
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....563,589,590
Cupholders ......................... 250,577
Customer Assistance ..................... 611
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 84
Daytime Running Lights ................... 200
Dealer Service .......................... 549
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 269
Defroster, Windshield .................. 101,406
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 546
Dimmer Control ........................ 201
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 571
Oil (Engine) ........................ 550
Power Steering ...................... 438
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 539
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INDEX 623
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Hill Start Assist......................... 449
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 500
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 231
Hood Release .......................... 196
Hook, Coat ............................ 260
Ignition ............................... 14
Key ............................. 12,14
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 14
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint .......................... 85
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 300
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 112
Instrument Cluster .................... 284,286
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 283
Instrument Panel Cover ................... 574
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 576Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
............ 578
Interior Appearance Care .................. 574
Interior Lights .......................... 201
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 515
Jack Operation .......................... 514
Jump Starting .......................... 532
Key-In Reminder ......................... 15
Key, Programming ........................ 17
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Keyless Entry System ...................... 20
Keys ................................. 12
Lane Change Assist ...................... 204
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 55
628 INDEX
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Radio Operation........................ 392
Radio Remote Controls .................... 390
Rear Air Conditioning .................398,408
Rear Camera ........................... 224
Rear Cross Path ......................... 123
Rear Heater ............................ 398
Rear Park Sense System ................... 215
Rear Window Defroster ................... 269
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 112
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 167
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 84
Recreational Towing ...................... 509
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 482
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 68
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 390
Remote Starting System .................... 29
Removable Floor Console .................. 265
Replacement Keys ........................ 16 Replacement Parts
....................... 549
Replacement Tires ....................... 469
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 614
Resetting Oil Change Indicator .........288,289,309
Restraint, Head ......................... 167
Restraints, Child ....................... 85,89
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 536
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack) ................. 271
Rotation, Tires .......................... 472
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................ 101
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 103
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 614
Safety Information, Tire ................... 452
Safety Tips ............................. 99
Safety, Exhaust Gas .................... 51,100
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 343
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 594
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 576
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INDEX 633
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Text Messaging......................... 147
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 208
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 457
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 455
Tire Markings .......................... 452
Tire Safety Information .................... 452
Tires ........................... 103,461,617
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 468
Air Pressure ........................ 461
Chains ............................ 470
Changing .......................... 514
Compact Spare ...................... 465
General Information .................. 461
High Speed ......................... 463
Inflation Pressures .................... 462
Jacking ......................... 514,523
Life of Tires ........................ 468
Load Capacity .................... 457,458
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 473Pressure Warning Light
................ 289
Quality Grading ..................... 617
Radial ............................ 464
Replacement ........................ 469
Rotation ........................... 472
Safety .......................... 452,461
Sizes ............................. 453
Snow Tires ......................... 472
Spare Tire .......................... 516
Spinning ........................... 467
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 468
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 502
Towing ............................... 495
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 139
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 539
Guide ............................. 501
Recreational ........................ 509
Weight ............................ 501
Towing Assistance ....................... 139
636 INDEX
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Traction Control......................... 443
Traction Control Switch ................... 443
Trailer Towing .......................... 495
Cooling System Tips .................. 508
Hitches ............................ 500
Minimum Requirements ................ 503
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 502
Wiring ............................ 506
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 501
Trailer Weight .......................... 501
Transaxle Selection of Lubricant ................. 591
Transmission ........................... 569
Automatic ....................... 422,569
Fluid .......................... 570,591
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 231
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20Transporting Pets
........................ 95
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 468
Trip Odometer .......................... 286
Turn Signals ................... 203,286,587,588
UCI Connector ......................... 346
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) ............. 125
Umbrella Holder ........................ 256
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 617
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 346
Universal Transmitter ..................... 231
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... 482
Upholstery Care ........................ 574
Vanity Mirrors .......................... 116
Variance, Compass ....................... 314
Vehicle Certification Label ................. 492
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6
Vehicle Loading ................... 458,492,494
10
INDEX 637
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