tow DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2005 Owner's Guide

A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for
weights above 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
Special care should be taken when towing a trailer with
heavy duty trailer tow package, without a load equaliz-
ing hitch, and with 6 to 7 passengers, to insure the rear
GAWR is not exceeded. Depending on your vehicle
model and options, the maximum trailer weight could
range from 0 to 2000 pounds.
CAUTION!If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances. WARNING!Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle ’ s hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident. STARTING AND OPERATING 341
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................344

If Your Engine Overheats .................345

Jacking And Tire Changing ................346
▫ Jacking Instructions — Fold-In-Floor Seating . . 347
▫ Jacking Instructions — Non Fold-In-Floor
Seating .............................359

Jump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low ....365

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............367
▫ Acceleration .........................367 ▫ Traction ............................367

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................368

Towing A Disabled Vehicle ................369
▫ With Ignition Key .....................369
▫ Without The Ignition Key ...............370
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ............................370
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley ....................370
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Jack Location — Fold-in-Floor Seating
The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed
behind the rear left side trim panel in the rear cargo area.
Pull up on the lever to release the cover. Remove the scissors jack and jack handle by rotating the
small wing nut to the left. Also remove the tool pouch
containing the spare tire winch handle tools, which is
located next to the jack and jack handle.
Jack Location
Jack Removal/Installation348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Spare Tire Stowage — Fold-in-Floor Seating
For vehicles equipped with fold-in-floor seating, the
spare tire is stowed inside a protective cover located
under the center of the vehicle by means of a cable winch
mechanism. The “ spare tire drive ” nut is located on the
floor, under a plastic cap between the front seats.
The tool pouch contains three pieces and can be as-
sembled into a Spare Tire Hook to remove the compact
spare tire/cover assembly from under the vehicle or a
Winch “ T ” Handle to raise/lower the compact spare
tire/cover assembly. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 349
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10. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the
left.
11. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N · m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
12. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
13. Secure the flat tire as follows:
• Place the deflated (flat) tire and compact spare tire
cover assembly in the rear cargo area, have the tire
repaired or replaced as soon as possible. WARNING!A loose deflated (flat) tire thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could injure the occupants in
the vehicle. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or
replaced immediately.
CAUTION!Vehicle damage will occur if the compact spare tire
cover assembly is installed without the compact
spare tire in position. Place the deflated (flat) tire
and compact spare tire cover assembly in the rear
cargo area.
14. Stow the cable and wheel spacer before driving the
vehicle, reassemble the winch handle extensions to form
a “ T ’ and fit the winch “ T ” handle over the drive nut. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
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Rotate the nut to the right approximately 33 turns until
the winch mechanism clicks at least three times.
15. Stow the jack, jack handle and winch handle tools.
WARNING!A loose jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle.
Always stow the jack parts in the place provided.
16. Check the compact spare tire pressure as soon as
possible. Correct pressure as required.
Secure The Spare Tire As Follows:
1. To stow the compact spare tire/cover assembly on
vehicles equipped with fold-in-floor seating, assemble
the winch handle extensions to form a “ T ’ and fit the
winch “ T ” handle over the drive nut. Rotate the nut to
the left approximately 33 turns until the winch mecha-
nism stops turning freely, this will allow enough slack in
the cable to allow you to pull the wheel spacer out from
under the vehicle.Jack Removal/Installation356 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!A loose compact spare tire/cover assembly, thrown
forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger
the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the com-
pact spare tire with the cover assembly in the place
provided.
CAUTION!The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
winch “ T ” handle only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
2. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form the
Spare Tire Hook and pull the wheel spacer from under
the vehicle.Spare Tire Removal WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 357
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CAUTION!For vehicles equipped with fold-in-floor seating, the
Winch Mechanism is designed specifically to stow a
COMPACT Spare Tire ONLY. Do not attempt to use
the Winch to stow the Full Size ’ Flat ’ Tire, or any
other Full Size Tire. Vehicle damage may result.
Jacking Instructions — Non Fold-in-Floor Seating
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK. Turn OFF the ignition. WARNING!Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
• Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
• Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
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Jack Location — Non Fold-in-Floor Seating
The jack, jack handle are stowed behind the rear left side
trim panel in the rear cargo area. Pull up on the lever to
release the cover.
Remove the spare wheel, scissors jack and jack handle
from stowage by rotating the wing nut to the left. Spare Tire Stowage — Non Fold-in-Floor Seating
For vehicles not equipped with fold-in-floor seating the
spare tire is stowed under the rear of the vehicle by
means of a cable winch mechanism. To remove or stow
the spare, use the jack handle to rotate the “ spare tire
drive ” nut. The nut is located under the plastic cover at
the center rear of the cargo floor area, just inside the
liftgate opening.
Jack Location360 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. These locations are on the sill flange of the body and
consist of a pair of downstanding tabs. The jack is to be
located, engaging the flange, between the pair of tabs
closest to the wheel to be changed. Place the wrench on
the jack screw and turn to the right until the jack head is
properly engaged in the described location. Do not raise
the vehicle until you are sure the jack is securely
engaged.
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right,
using the swivel wrench. Raise the vehicle only until the
tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is
obtained to install the spare tire. Minimum tire lift
provides maximum stability. WARNING!Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
7. Remove the wheel lug nuts, for vehicles with wheel
covers, remove the cover from the wheel by hand. Do not
pry the wheel cover off. Then pull the wheel off the hub.
8. Install the spare wheel, for vehicles with wheel covers,
align the notch in the wheel cover with the valve stem on
the wheel. Install the cover on the wheel by hand only
and install the wheel lug nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not
tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 363
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