inflation pressure DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2005 Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will turn on when there is a Low tire
pressure condition. The light will remain on
until the tire pressure is properly set. The light
will also flash if a problem exist with any tire
sensor. The light will flash for approximately three sec-
onds every 10 minutes or until the problem with the
sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
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.
NOTE: If one of the vehicle active tires has been
replaced by the spare or a wheel rim not equipped with
a TPM sensor, the tire pressure monitor warning light
will flash for approximately three seconds every 10
minutes. Repair or replace the tire or sensor as soon as
possible.196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Ti re s — General Information ................316
▫ Tire Pressure .........................316
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................317
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................320
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........320
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........321
▫ Tire Spinning ........................322
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................322
▫ Replacement Tires .....................323
▫ Alignment And Balance .................324

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . . 325
▫ 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure ...........325
▫ 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure ...........325 ▫ Check TPM System ....................326
▫ General Information ...................327

Tire Chains ...........................327

Snow Tires ...........................329

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............329

Fuel Requirements ......................330
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................331
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............331
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................331
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................332
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................332
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............333290 STARTING AND OPERATING

EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95 = Load Index
— A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H = Speed Symbol
— A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
— The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
 ....blank....  = Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL) = Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load = Light Load Tire
C,D,E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load — Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure — Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this
tire. 310 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure for pas-
senger cars is listed on either the face of the driver ’ s door
or the driver ’ s side “ B ” pillar. For vehicles other than
passenger cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed
on either the “ B ” pillar, the Certification Label or in the
Tire Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compart-
ment. Tire Placard Location312 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle 4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire ’ s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and the Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR ’ s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR ’ s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “ The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs. ” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. TheTire and Loading Information STARTING AND OPERATING 313
5

WARNING!Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure: 1. Safety —
WARNING! Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause
accidents.
• Under inflation increases tire flexing and can result in
tire failure.
• Over inflation reduces a tire ’ s ability to cushion shock.
Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause damage that
results in tire failure.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You
could lose control of your vehicle.
• Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to the
other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right or left.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the recommended
cold tire inflation pressure.316 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Economy —
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability —
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars
is listed on either the face of the driver ’ s door or the
driver ’ s side “ B ” pillar. For vehicles other than passenger
cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either
the “ B ” pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire
Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the “ Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information ” section of this manual.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to Tire Placard Location STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5

check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
CAUTION!After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap – if equipped. This
will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“ cold tire inflation pressure ” . Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1mile
(1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12 ° F(7 ° C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage especially in
the winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68 ° F (20 ° C) and the
outside temperature = 32 ° F(0 ° C) then the cold tire
inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12 ° F(7 ° C) for this
outside temperature condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa)
during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be too low.318 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading
and cold tire inflation pressures. WARNING!High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Don ’ t drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h). STARTING AND OPERATING 319
5

WARNING!The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure
to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle ’ s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
See the paragraph on Freeing A Stuck Vehicle in Section
6 of this manual. 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.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.322 STARTING AND OPERATING