DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2006 Owners Manual

Spare Tire Stowage — Stow ’ n Go Seating
For vehicles equipped with Stow ’ n Go seating, the spare
tire is stowed inside a protective cover located under the
center of the vehicle by means of a cable winch mecha-
nism. 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.
Stow ’ n Go Tools WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 371
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Jacking Instructions — Stow ’ n Go 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 Removal372 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
3. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form the
Spare Tire Hook and pull the compact spare tire/cover
assembly from under the vehicle. WARNING!Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373
6

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 Removal374 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Engagement Locations WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 375
6

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.376 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. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 377
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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.
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 Stow ’ n Go 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 mechanism 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/Installation378 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 379
6

3. Turn the compact spare tire so that the valve stem is
down and place the tire into the spare tire cover assem-
bly. Slide the wheel spacer through the center of the
wheel and spare tire cover assembly so that the two
retainer tabs snap out and engage the spare tire cover on
the opposite side.
CAUTION!The compact spare tire cover assembly must be used
when the compact spare tire is stored. Failure to use
this cover could drastically reduce the life of the
compact spare tire. WARNING!Verify that ’ both ’ retainer tabs of the wheel spacer
have been properly extended through the center of
the wheel and spare tire cover assembly. Failure to
properly engage both retainer tabs could result in
loss of the spare tire & cover assembly, which will
cause vehicle damage and may cause loss of control
of the vehicle.
4. Using the winch “ T ” handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the compact spare tire/cover assembly is
drawn into place against the underside of the vehicle.
5. Continue to rotate the nut approximately 33 turns
until you hear the winch mechanism click three times. It
cannot be overtightened. Check under the vehicle to
ensure the compact spare tire/cover assembly is posi-
tioned correctly against the underside of the vehicle.380 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES