tire pressure DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2006 Owners Manual

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6
to 8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the LED is not lit
during starting, have it checked. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
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.84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center, when the
appropriate conditions exist, displays the following
WARNING messages and symbols. Each message is
accompanied by a single chime:
• TURN SIGNALS ON (with graphic)
• PERFORM SERVICE
• DOOR AJAR (one or more, with graphic)
• LIFTGATE AJAR (with graphic)
• WASHER FLUID LOW (with graphic)
• 1,2,3 OR 4 LOW TIRE(S) PRESSURE (Refer to ” Ti re
Pressure Monitor System ” in the “ Starting And Oper-
ating, Tire Section ” ) • CHECK TPM SYSTEM (Refer to ” Tire Pressure Moni-
tor System ” in the “ Starting And Operating, Tire
Section ” )
• MEMORY SEAT DISABLED (Not in Park) — If
Equipped
• ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/CRUISE EN-
GAGED
• ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/VEHICLE IN RE-
VERSE
• REAR PARK ASSIST (Shown in Reverse only with a
single chime) — If Equipped
NOTE: Tire pressure menu items are available only on
vehicles equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitor Sys-
tem. UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
3

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 Monitoring Telltale Lamp — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle ’ s
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’ s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
3. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0
gallons (11.0 liters) this light will turn on and
remain on until fuel is added.204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................304
▫ 2.4L Engine .........................304
▫ 3.3L And 3.8L Engine ..................306

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........309

Automatic Transmission ..................309
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......310
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System .............................310
▫ Four Speed Automatic Transmission ........310
Parking Brake .........................313

Brake System ..........................314
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .....315

Power Steering ........................317

Traction Control — If Equipped ............318

Tire Safety Information ...................320
▫ Tire Markings ........................320
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........323
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........3245

Ti re s — General Information ................328
▫ Tire Pressure .........................328
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................329
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................331
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........332
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........333
▫ Tire Spinning ........................333
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................334
▫ Life Of Tire .........................335
▫ Replacement Tires .....................335
▫ Alignment And Balance .................336

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . . 337
▫ 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure ...........337 ▫ Check TPM System ....................337
▫ General Information ...................339

Tire Chains ...........................339

Snow Tires ...........................340

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............341

Fuel Requirements ......................342
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................342
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............343
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................343
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................344
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................344
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............345

Adding Fuel ..........................346302 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
• P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “ P ” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H. • European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter  P  is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
• LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “ LT ” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
• Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “ T ”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
• High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.320 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. (i.e. 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. 322 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on either the face of the driver ’ s door or the driver ’ s side
“ B ” pillar. 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 carryTire Placard Location Tire and Loading Information324 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 in the “ Vehicle Loading ” sec-
tion 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, refer to 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. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “ The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds ” on
your vehicle ’ s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. STARTING AND OPERATING 325
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 recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.328 STARTING AND OPERATING