ignition DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2006 User Guide

1. With the transmitter buttons facing down, use a thin
coin to pry the two halves of the transmitter apart. Make
sure not to damage the rubber gasket during removal. 2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To reassemble the transmitter case snap two halves
together. Make sure there is an even “ gap ” between the
two halves. Test transmitter operation.
VEHICLE THEFT ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition
switch for unauthorized entry or operation. When the
alarm is activated, the system provides both audible and
visual signals. The horn will pulse, headlights/park
lights will flash, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer
light, located in the instrument cluster, will flash, and the
vehicle will not start. If the alarm is triggered and no
action is taken to disarm it, the system will turn off the
horn after three minutes and after 15 minutes of light
only operation the system will then rearm itself.Separating Transmitter Halves26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To arm the system: Remove the key from the ignition
switch and either:
1. Press a power door lock button while the driver ’ sor
passenger ’ s door is open.
2. Press the LOCK button on the keyless entry transmit-
ter.
After the last door is closed, or if all doors are closed, the
system will arm itself in about 16 seconds. During that
time, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer light will
flash. If it does not illuminate, the system is not arming.
If you open a door during this arming period, the system
will cancel the arming process. You must repeat one of
the previously described arming sequences to rearm the
system.
To disarm the system: Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry transmitter. Also, using a valid sentry key and moving the ignition switch to the ON/START posi-
tion will disarm the system. If you disarm the system and
access the liftgate area, the system must be rearmed, as
described previously, when closing the liftgate. If some-
thing has triggered the system in your absence, the horn
will sound three times when you disarm the system.
Check the vehicle for tampering.
NOTE:
• The driver ’ s door and liftgate key cylinders cannot
arm or disarm the system.
• Once the alarm is set, and the liftgate button on the
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, on a non-power
liftgate vehicle, you have a 30 second one time access
into the liftgate area. If the liftgate is not opened within
30 seconds the liftgate will remain locked. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
2

• The system remains armed during liftgate entry, press-
ing the liftgate button will not disarm the system, if
someone enters the vehicle through the liftgate and
opens any door the alarm will sound.
• When the system is armed, the doors can not be
unlocked from the interior power door lock switches.
The Vehicle Theft Alarm system is designed to protect
your vehicle, however, you can create conditions where
the system will give you a false alarm. If one of the
previously described arming sequences has occurred, the
system will arm regardless of whether you are in the
vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle and open a
door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the
system. The alarm system will be activated when the battery is
connected if the system was previously armed. The
exterior lights will flash, the horn will sound, and the
ignition will not start the vehicle. If this occurs, disarm
the system.
SLIDING SIDE DOOR
The sliding door may be opened from the inside or the
outside. Pull out on the outside handle to open the
sliding door from the outside. To open the sliding door
from the inside, press the button on the grab handle and
open the door.28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE: The driver ’ s side sliding door cannot be opened
while the fuel door is open. This feature operates only
when the sliding door is fully closed prior to opening the
fuel door.
Sliding Door Open Flash
When the sliding door(s) are opened, the left and right
exterior hazard lights will flash for 12 seconds to alert
other drivers in the area that passenger(s) could be
entering or exiting the vehicle.
The Sliding Door Open Flash can be enabled or disabled
by performing the following procedure:
1. Place the key in the ignition switch.
2. Cycle the ignition switch ON/OFF four times ending
in the OFF position. (do not start the engine)
3. Within 10 seconds of the final cycle, press the hazard
switch. 4. A single chime will sound to signify that you have
successfully completed the programming.
You can turn the feature back on by repeating the above
mentioned procedure or by performing the procedure in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), Cus-
tomer Programmable Features section on vehicles so
equipped.
Power Sliding Door — If Equipped
NOTE: The power sliding door must be unlocked before
the switches located on the trim panel, just in front of the
power sliding door will operate.
The power sliding door may be opened manually or by
using the buttons on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Press the buttons on the remote keyless entry transmitter
twice within five seconds, to open a power sliding door.
Once the door is fully open, pressing the button twice
within five seconds a second time will close the door.30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Power Windows — If Equipped
You can control either front window using switches on the
driver ’ s door trim panel. There is a single switch on the
passenger ’ s door trim panel which operates the passenger
door window. The switches will operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON or ACCESSORY position. Auto Down Feature — If Equipped
The driver ’ s window switch has an auto down feature.
Press the window switch past the detent, release, and the
window will go down automatically.
To open the window part way, press the window switch
part way and release it when you want the window to
stop.
The power window switches remain active for up to 45
seconds after the ignition switch has been turned off.
Opening a vehicle front door will cancel this feature.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windowsPower Window Switches THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2

NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the front airbag con-
trol module (see Front Airbag Section). Like the front
airbags, the pretensioners are single use items. After a
collision that is severe enough to deploy the front airbags
and pretensioners, both must be replaced.
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver ’ s or front passenger ’ s seat belt has not been
buckled within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle and if
the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will alert the
driver or front passenger to buckle their seat belt. The
driver should also instruct all other occupants to buckle
their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, the
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning Light for 96
seconds or until the driver ’ s or front passenger ’ s seat belt
is buckled.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will be reacti-
vated if the driver ’ s or front passenger ’ s seat belt is
unbuckled for more than 10 seconds and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:
NOTE: The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or RUN position. DaimlerChrysler does not recommend
deactivating the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, and
buckle the driver ’ s seat belt.52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position (engine
does not need to be running), and wait for the Seat Belt
Warning Light to turn off.
3. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
RUN position, unbuckle and then re-buckle the driver ’ s
seat belt at least three times within 10 seconds, ending
with the seat belt buckled.
NOTE: Watch for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn on
while unbuckling and off while re-buckling the seat belt.
It may be necessary to retract the seat belt.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. A single
chime will sound to signify that you have successfully
completed the programming.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be reacti-
vated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE: Although the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning Light will continue to illuminate while the driver ’ sor
front passenger ’ s seat belt remains unbuckled.
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancies. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
equipped) is in its lowest position, your dealer can
provide you with a seat belt extender. This extender THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

proper rate of inflation. The front airbag inflators are
designed to provide different rates of airbag inflation.
• The ORC may modify the rate of inflation based on the
occupant size provided by the Occupant Classification
Module.
• The ORC will not detect side, roll over, or rear impacts.
• The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts
of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, instrument panel and passenger knee bol-
sters. If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC
position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are not on
and will not inflate.
• Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warn-
ing light and PAD indicator light in the
center of the instrument panel for 6 to 8
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is first turned on. After the self-check, the AIRBAG
warning light will turn off. The PAD indicator light
will function normally (Refer to “ Passenger Airbag
Disable (PAD) Indicator Light ” in this section). If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the AIRBAG warning light either momen-
tarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the
light comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won ’ t have the airbags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not
come on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it
comes on as you drive, have the airbag system
checked right away.60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

However, if you haven ’ t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
• As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer ’ s instruc-
tions for cleaning.
• It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you. WARNING!Deployed airbags, front seat belt buckle pretension-
ers and driver inflatable knee blocker cannot protect
you in another collision. Have the airbags, front seat
belt buckle pretensioners and driver inflatable knee
blocker replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Also, have the Occupant Classification
System serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response
If the airbags and seat belt pertensioners deploy after an
impact and the electrical system remains functional,
vehicles equipped with power door locks will unlock
automatically. In addition, approximately 10 seconds
after the vehicle has stopped moving, the interior lights
will illuminate until the ignition switch is turned off. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!• Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause
it to fail when you need it. You could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. Do not modify the
components or wiring, including adding any kind of
badges or stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not modify
the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or frame.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag
system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not
function properly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced airbag
system service. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the
vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify an advanced airbag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer. WARNING!• You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system immediately.
• The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE