light DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2009 5.G Owners Manual

wheel(s) and engine power is reduced, to provide en-
hanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS
functions similarly to a limited-slip differential, and
controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel
on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This
will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if
the ESP is in the “Partial Off” mode.The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” (in the instru-
ment cluster) will start to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
This indicates that the TCS is active. If the
indicator light flashes during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions, and do not switch off the ESP or TCS. WARNING!

The TCS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded.
The TCS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a TCS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The Brake Assist System (BAS) is designed to optimize
the vehicle’s braking capability during emergency brak-
ing maneuvers. The system detects an emergency brak-
ing situation by sensing the rate and amount of brake 348 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP On
This mode is the normal operating mode for ESP on
two-wheel drive vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started, the ESP system will be in this mode. This mode
should be used for most driving situations. ESP should
only be turned off for specific reasons as noted below. ESP Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESP
OFF” switch (located in the center switch bank, next to
the hazard flasher switch).
When in the “Partial Off” mode, the TCS
portion of ESP, except for the “limited slip”
feature described in the TCS section, has been
disabled and the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light”
will be illuminated. When in the “Partial Off” mode, ESP
will operate without engine torque management. This
mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel spin
than ESP would normally allow is required to gain
traction. To turn ESP on again, momentarily press the
“ESP OFF” switch. This will restore the normal “ESP On”
mode of operation. 350 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESP OFF” switch. Once the
situation requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESP OFF” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
ESP/BAS Warning Light
The malfunction indicator light for the ESP is
combined with BAS. The “ESP/BAS Warning
Light” and the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” (in
the instrument cluster) both come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. They should
go out with the engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warn-
ing Light” comes on continuously with the engine run-
ning, a malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or the BAS system. If this light remains on after several
ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several
miles/kilometers at speeds greater than 30 mph
(48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible
to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” and the “ESP/BAS
Warning Light” come on momentarily, each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.
Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON, even if it was turned off previously.
The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal. The sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive, following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation. STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire
MarkingsNOTE:
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 designa-
tion. Example: 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 9P9is 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” 1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards

Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
352 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
(....blank....( = Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T = Temporary spare tire
31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)
215 = Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%)
— Ratio of section height to section width of tire
10.5 = Section width in inches (in)
R = Construction code
—9R9 means radial construction
—9D9 means diagonal or bias construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches (in)
STARTING AND OPERATING 353 5

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 under
specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and
posted speed limits)
Load Identification: (....blank....( = Absence of any text on the 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
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire LifeThe service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors, including, but not limited to:
Driving style
Tire pressure
Distance driven
WARNING!
The tires and the spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident resulting
in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed. Please see “Tread Wear
Indicators” and “Tire and Loading Information” placard
for the size designation of your tire. The service descrip-
tion and load identification will be found on the original-
equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent replacement
tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of
your vehicle. We recommend that you contact your
original-equipment manufacturer, or an authorized tire
dealer, with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING

The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not turn
off until the tire pressure is at or above recommended
cold tire placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure
warning has been illuminated, the tire pressure must be
increased to the recommended cold tire placard pressure
in order for the “TPMS Warning Lamp” to be turned off.
The system will automatically update and the “TPMS
Warning Lamp” will extinguish once the updated tire
pressures have been received. The vehicle may need to be
driven for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to
receive this information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recommended
cold (parked for more than three hours) tire pressure of
35 psi (241 kPa). If the ambient temperature is 68°F (20°C)
and the measured tire pressure is 30 psi (207 kPa), a
temperature drop to 20°F (-7°C) will decrease the tire
pressure to approximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This tire
pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn on the “TPMSWarning Light.” Driving the vehicle may cause the tire
pressure to rise to approximately 30 psi (207 kPa), but the
“TPMS Warning Light” will still be on. In this situation,
the “TPMS Warning Light” will turn off only after the
tires have been inflated to the vehicle’s recommended
cold tire pressure value. CAUTION!

The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement
equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or
style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor dam-
age. Do not use aftermarket sealants or balance
beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as
damage to the sensors may result. (Continued)
STARTING AND OPERATING 371 5

The Basic TPMS consists of the following components:
Receiver Module
Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
TPMS Telltale Warning Light
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Tire Pressure
Warnings
The “TPMS Telltale Warning Light” will illu-
minate in the instrument cluster, and an au-
dible chime will be activated when one or more
of the four active road tire pressures are low.
Should this occur, you should stop as soon as possible,
check the inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle,
and inflate each tire to the vehicle’s recommended cold
tire pressure value (located on the placard on the
driver’s-side B-Pillar). The system will automatically
update and the “TPMS Warning Lamp” will extinguish
once the updated tire pressures have been received. NOTE:
The vehicle may need to be driven for up to
20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this
information.
The “TPMS Warning Lamp” will flash on and off for
75 seconds, and remain on solid when a system fault is
detected. The system fault will also sound a chime. If the
ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat, provid-
ing the system fault still exists. The “TPMS Warning
Lamp” will turn off when the fault condition no longer
exists. A system fault can occur with any of the following
scenarios:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the TPMS
sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals. STARTING AND OPERATING 373
5

3. Accumulation of excessive snow and/or ice around
the wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
Vehicles with Compact Spare
1. The compact spare tire (if equipped) does not have a
TPMS sensor. Therefore the TPMS will not monitor the
pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the “TPMS Telltale Warning Light” will turn
on.
3. After driving for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(25 km/h), the “TPMS Telltale Warning Light” will flash
on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the “TPMS Telltale Warning Light” will re-
main on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare
tire, the TPMS will automatically update, and the “TPMS
Telltale Warning Light” will turn off as long as no tire
pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit in any
of the four active road tires. The vehicle may need to be
driven for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) for
the TPMS to receive this information.
Premium System — If Equipped
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim-
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING