tires DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2004 Owners Manual

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure. Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð If
Equipped
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center, when the
appropriate conditions exist, displays the following
WARNING messages and symbols. Each message is
accompanied by a single chime:
² TURN SIGNALS ON (with graphic)
² PERFORM SERVICE
² DOOR AJAR (one or more, with graphic)
² LIFTGATE AJAR (with graphic)
² WASHER FLUID LOW (with graphic)
² 1,2,3 OR 4 LOW TIRE(S) PRESSURE (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² 1,2,3 OR 4 HIGH TIRE(S) PRESSURE (Refer to ªStart-
ing And Operating, Tire Sectionº) ² SERVICE TIRE PRESS. SYSTEM/SEE OWNER'S
MANUAL (Refer to ªStarting And Operating, Tire
Sectionº)
² TIRE PRESSURE UNAVAILABLE (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² TIRE PRESSURE NOW AVAILABLE (Refer to ªStart-
ing And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² SPARE TIRE IN USE? YES/NO (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² ALL 5 TIRES WITH CAR? YES/NO (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² MEMORY SEAT DISABLED (Not in Park) Ð If
Equipped
² ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/CRUISE ENGAGED
² ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/VEHICLE IN RE-
VERSE UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115
3

When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard and owner's manual. 24. Turn Signal Indicators Ð Base Cluster Only
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb.
25. High Beam Light Ð Base Cluster Only
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

N Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........247
m TiresÐGeneral Information ................251
N Tire Pressure .........................251
N Tire Inflation Pressures .................252
N Radial-Ply Tires ......................255
N Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped .........255
N Tire Spinning ........................256
N Tread Wear Indicators ..................256
N Replacement Tires .....................257
N Alignment And Balance .................258
m All Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped .......259
m Tire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 259
N 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure ...........260 N 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure ...........260
N Service Tire Pressure System/See Owner's
Manual ............................260
N Tire Pressure Unavailable ................260
N Tire Pressure Now Available .............261
N Spare Tire In Use? Yes/No ...............261
N All 5 Tires With Car? Yes/No .............261
N General Information ...................263
m Tire Chains ...........................263
m Snow Tires ...........................264
m Tire Rotation Recommendations ............265
m Fuel Requirements ......................266
N Reformulated Gasoline .................266224 STARTING AND OPERATING

transmission operating temperature exceeds acceptable
limits. This is done to prevent transmission damage due
to overheating.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD). The system is automatic with no driver
inputs or additional driving skills required. Under nor-
mal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,
power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels. CAUTION!All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit
and/or the viscous coupling.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE: This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the STARTING AND OPERATING 235
5

² and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals. WARNING!² Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
² The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
² The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others. STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5

All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE: Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and does not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system. WARNING!Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!Prolong operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.240 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE: Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
ªrockº the vehicle free. TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
² P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.242 STARTING AND OPERATING

² European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter 9 P 9 is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
² LT(Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. ² Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
² High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5

Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire
however the date code may only be on one side. Tires
with white sidewalls will have the full TIN including
date code located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall
tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on
the outboard side then you will find it on the inboard side
of the tire.
EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT = Department of Transportation
ÐThis symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire
safety standards, and is approved for highway use.
MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location.(2 digits)
L9 = Code representing the tire size.(2 digits)
ABCD = Code used by tire manufacturer.(1 to 4 digits)
03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured.(2 digits)
Ð03 means the 3rd week.
01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured.(2 digits)
Ð01 means the year 2001.
ÐPrior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have 1 number to represent the year in
which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991.246 STARTING AND OPERATING