DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2004 Owners Manual

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 shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least 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
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don't 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
With Ignition Key
Front Wheel Drive
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector 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 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 291
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km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
mission geartrain failure. If the transmission is not op-
erative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 100
miles (160 km), the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels off the ground.
All Wheel Drive
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160
km), the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72
km/h), and both front and rear wheels must be on the
ground. If your vehicle must be towed farther or at a
higher rate of speed, it must be transported on a flat bed
truck. All Transmissions
CAUTION!² Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
² Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
² Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
² Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
² If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position, not
in the LOCK or ACCESSORY positions.292 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the
transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing with out the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle. TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the limitations
described in this section.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLEY
The manufacture does not recommend that you tow an
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or front wheel drive vehicle on a
tow dolley. Vehicle damage may occur. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLECONTENTS m 2.4L Engine ...........................298
m 3.3L/3.8L Engines ......................299
m Onboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II ........300
m Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................301
m Replacement Parts ......................302
m Dealer Service .........................302
m Maintenance Procedures ..................303
N Engine Oil ..........................303 N Engine Oil Filter ......................307
N Drive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 307
N Spark Plugs .........................308
N Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................308
N Engine Fuel Filter .....................309
N Catalytic Converter ....................309
N Maintenance-Free Battery ................311
N Air Conditioner ......................312
N Power Steering Ð Fluid Check ............314
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N Front Suspension Ball Joints ..............314
N Steering Shaft Seal ....................314
N Steering Linkage ......................315
N Drive Shaft Universal Joints ..............315
N Body Lubrication .....................315
N Windshield Wiper Blades ................316
N Windshield And Rear Window Washers .....316
N Exhaust System ......................317
N Cooling System .......................318
N Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......322
N Brakes .............................323
N Master Cylinder Ð ABS Brakes Brake Fluid
Level Check .........................324 N Fuel System Hoses ....................326
N Automatic Transmission ................326
N All Wheel Drive (AWD) .................329
N Front And Rear Wheel Bearings ...........330
N Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion ...........................330
N Cleaning The Instrument Panel And
Underseat Cup Holders .................334
m Integrated Power Module (IPM) ............336
m Vehicle Storage ........................337
m Replacement Light Bulbs .................338
m Bulb Replacement ......................339
N Headlights ..........................339296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

N Front Park/Turn Signal And Sidemarker
Lights .............................340
N Front Fog Light ......................341
N Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, Side Marker
And Back-Up Lights ...................342
N Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) . . . 343
N License Light ........................343 m Fluid Capacities ........................343
m Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine
Parts ................................344
N Engine .............................344
N Chassis ............................345 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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2.4L ENGINE 298 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3.3L/3.8L ENGINES MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 299
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð 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 ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º 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 dealer for service as soon as
possible. CAUTION!Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indicator
Lightº on could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before
any emissions tests can be performed.
If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur. Im-
mediate service is required.300 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE