spare wheel DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2005 Owners Manual

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. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85
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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NOTE: If one of the vehicle active tires has been
replaced by the spare or a wheel rim not equipped with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

Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited
tread life. When two or more tread wear indicators
appear in adjacent grooves, the temporary use spare
tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the
warnings which apply to your spare. Failure to do so
could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.320 STARTING AND OPERATING

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result. Limited Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on vehicle
at the first opportunity. STARTING AND OPERATING 321
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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

Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPM) system uses
wireless technology with wheel rim mounted electronic
sensors to monitor tire pressure levels (EXCLUDING
THE SPARE TIRE). Sensors, mounted to each wheel as
part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the instrument panel.
NOTE: The tire pressure monitoring system on your
vehicle will warn you when one of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated and when some combinations of
your tires are significantly underinflated. It is particularly
important, therefore, for you to check the tire pressure in
all of your tires regularly and maintain proper pressure. 1,2,3, OR 4 TIRE(S) LOW PRESSURE
Low tire pressure levels of 28 psi [1.9 bars] (193 kPa) or
less detected in one or more tires.
Inspect all tires for proper inflation pressure, once proper
tire pressure has been set the TPM system warning will
reset automatically once ignition switch has been turned
ON.
1,2,3, OR 4 TIRE(S) HIGH PRESSURE
High tire pressure levels of 48 psi [3.3 bars] (330 kPa) or
more detected in one or more tires.
Inspect all tires for proper inflation pressure, once proper
tire pressure has been set the TPM system warning will
reset automatically once ignition switch has been turned
ON. STARTING AND OPERATING 325
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Jacking Instructions — Fold-in-Floor Seating
1. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
2. To remove the compact spare tire/cover assembly,
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
mechanism stops turning freely, this will allow enough
slack in the cable to allow you to pull the spare tire out
from under the vehicle. Spare Tire Removal350 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE: If either front tire is flat, it may be necessary to
jack up the vehicle to remove the compact spare tire/
cover assembly from under the vehicle. Refer to jack
engagement locations in the following steps for proper
jack placement. 4. When the compact spare tire/cover assembly is clear
of the vehicle, stand the tire/cover assembly upright and
remove the wheel spacer by squeezing the two retaining
tabs together.
5. There are two jack engagement locations on each side
of the body, refer to the following illustration.Spare Tire/Cover Removal Wheel Spacer Removal352 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Install the compact spare tire. 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.
NOTE: Do not install the wheel cover on the compact
spare.
Do not use a hammer or force to install the wheel covers.354 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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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