DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2009 5.G Owners Manual

Second Row Seat Storage Bins — If EquippedThe seat storage bins are located on the floor in front of
the second row seats. The area below the covers can be
used for storage when the second row seat is in the
upright position.
Pull up on the storage bin latch to open the cover. Slide
the storage bin locking mechanism to the
9Lock9position
to allow greater access to the storage bin. Umbrella Holder
Storage Bin
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THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 219 3

CAUTION!NOTE: The storage bin cover must be locked and flat
to avoid damage from contact with the front seat
tracks, which have minimal clearance to the cover.
WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the seat
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
DO NOT drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched
while the vehicle is in motion.
DO NOT use a storage bin latch as a tie down.
Coat Hooks
Coat hooks are located along the headliner for the second
and third row seating positions. The coat hook load limit
is 10 lbs (4.5 kg). Exceeding the recommended load limit
can cause the coat hooks to break or disengage from the
vehicle.
Cargo Area Storage
The liftgate sill plate has a raised line with the statement
“Load To This Line”. This line indicates how far rearward
cargo can be placed without interfering with liftgate
closing.
220 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:With all rear seats stowed or removed, 4 x 8 foot
sheets of building material will fit on the vehicle floor
with the liftgate closed. The front seats must be moved
slightly forward of the rearmost position.
CONSOLE FEATURES
There are two consoles available: Basic and Premium.
Basic Console
Basic Console features consist of the following:
The basic console profile allows vehicle occupants to
easily pass through the first row to the second.
Four cupholders accept up to extra large size beverage
cups or 20 oz (.6 L) plastic bottles. Cupholders are
dishwasher safe for cleaning.
The cupholders are removable to access a large storage
bin.
The basic console is removable from the vehicle for
additional floor space by removing the cap and clip at
the console base. Rear Cargo Area Loading Limit
UNDERSTANDING
THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 221 3

To Remove The Basic Floor Console1. Remove the front anchor cup plug and clip.
2. Slide the console base forward while lifting slightly to
clear the rear load floor hook.
3. Remove the console.
To Reinstall The Basic Floor Console
1. Position the console at a slight angle (front slightly
higher than the rear).
2. Slide the console rearward into the floor bracket/
hook.
3. Align the console until the front anchor cup plug hole
is centered on the winch hole.
4. Reinstall the clip first and then while pushing down-
ward on the console with slight pressure, reinstall the
cover plug.
5. Pull up on the console to be sure it is firmly latched. WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the
removable floor console is not properly installed.
Always be sure the removable floor console is fully
latched.
Premium Console — If Equipped
The three-compartment console with sliding storage bin,
sliding upper tray with storage and large console storage
bin offers multiple configurations.
Four cupholders with dishwasher safe liners for clean-
ing. The cupholders can accept plastic bottles, large
cups or mugs with handles.
Top tray storage
222 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Upper storage bin can hold nine regular or 18 thin CDs
or other items
Large console center storage will store headphones for
the available rear DVD entertainment system or other
items
12-Volt DC power outlet provides continuous power
inside the console for cell phones or other electronics.
Rear occupant accessible
Multiple adjustments
Removable from vehicle for additional floor space.
The top and center console sections slide forward and
rearward to provide added user comfort. A one-piece cup Premium Console Features
1 — Top Release
3 — Console Release
2 —
Center Release
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 223 3

holder insert for both cavities can easily be removed for
cleaning. The cupholders will also accommodate large
size cups and 20 oz (.6 L) bottles.
Position 1 shows the console closed with four cupholders
and a convenient storage tray.Position 2 shows the raised storage tray revealing a large
storage area below.Console Position 1 Console Position 2
224 UNDERST

ANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Dual Storage BinsPosition 3 shows the top portion of the console in a
rearward position. This is accomplished by lifting the
upper most latch at the front of the console. This provides
easy access to the storage area below and provides two of
the four cupholders for the second row passengers.
Position 4 shows the complete console in its rearmost
position. Again, lifting second latch handle at the front of
the console, allows complete access to a lower storage bin
and provides additional cupholders for rear passengers.Console Position 3 Console Position 4
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THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 225 3

To Remove The Premium Floor Console1. Pull up on the bottom release handle in the front of the
console.
2. Lift the rear of the console up several inches/
centimeters.
3. Pull rearward to disengage from floor and remove
console.
To reinstall the console:
1. Position the console at a slight angle (rear slightly
higher than the front).
2. Slide the console forward into the floor bracket.
3. Rotate the rear of the console down until it is resting
on the floor bracket.
4. Push down on the rear of the console until it is seated
in the rear floor bracket.
5. Pull up on the console to be sure it is firmly latched. WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the
removable floor console is not properly installed.
Always be sure the removable floor console is fully
latched.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster button is located on the
climate control (Mode) knob. Press this button to
turn on the rear window defroster and the heated outside
mirrors (if equipped). An indicator in the button will
illuminate when the rear window defroster is on. The
rear window defroster automatically turns off after ap-
proximately 10 minutes. For an additional five minutes of
operation, press the button a second time. 226 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
You can turn off the heated mirror feature at anytime
by pressing the rear window defroster switch a second
time.
To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear win-
dow defroster only when the engine is operating.CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Labels can be peeled off
after soaking with warm water.
(Continued) CAUTION! (Continued)

Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
LOAD-LEVELING SYSTEM
The automatic load-leveling system will provide a level
riding vehicle under most passenger and cargo loading
conditions.
A hydraulic pump contained within the shock absorbers
raises the rear of the vehicle to the correct height. It takes
approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of driving for the leveling
to complete depending on road surface conditions.
If the leveled vehicle is not moved for approximately
15 hours, the leveling system will bleed itself down. The
vehicle must be driven to reset the system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 227 3

WARNING!Do not install the load-leveling system on vehicles
that are not equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes. Ve-
hicles without Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) have a height-
sensing proportioning valve. Installing a leveling
system will render this system ineffective, inappro-
priately reducing rear brake pressure, resulting in
increased stopping distances. You could have a seri-
ous accident.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and side rails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo
inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
To move the crossbars, loosen the thumb screws located
at the upper edge of each crossbar approximately six
turns, then move the crossbar to the desired position,
keeping the crossbars parallel to the rack frame. Once the
crossbar is in place, retighten the thumb screws to lock
the crossbar into position.
Attempt to move the crossbar again to ensure that it has
properly locked into position.
NOTE:
To help control wind noise when installing the
crossbars make sure the arrows marked on the underside
of the crossbars are facing the front of the vehicle. When
the crossbars are not in use, the front crossbar should be
fastened just forward of the middle support and the rear
crossbar should be fastened at the rearmost position of
the side rails. This will help reduce the amount of wind
noise when the crossbars are not in use.
228 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE