DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2009 5.G Owners Manual

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCONTENTS
m
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
m If Your Engine Overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
m Jacking And Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
▫ Jack Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 m
Jump-Starting Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
m Freeing A Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
m Towing A Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
▫ Towing With The Ignition Key . . . . . . . . . . 427 6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERThe Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
center of the instrument panel above the radio.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
On the highways — Slow down.
In city traffic — While stopped, shift the transmission
shift lever into NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine
idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C can help remove this heat.
You can also turn the Temperature Control to maxi-
mum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan
Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system. 410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING 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.
The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas. (Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411 6

WARNING! (Continued)
For vehicles equipped with Stow ’n Got seating, if
it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under
the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to
moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit.
Jack Location
The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed
behind the rear left side trim panel in the rear cargo area.
Turn the two cover latches to release the cover.
Remove the pouch containing the scissors jack, jack
handle, and tools. Jack And Tool Location
412 WHA

T TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Spare Tire RemovalFor vehicles equipped with Stow ’n Got
seating, the
spare tire is stowed inside a protective cover located
under the center of the vehicle by means of a cable winch
mechanism. The “spare tire drive” nut is located on the
floor, under a plastic cap at the front of the floor console.
NOTE: The base console, if equipped, must be removed
to raise and lower the spare tire. Refer to “Console
Features” in Section 3 for the console removal procedure.
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 Got
Tools 1A – Spare Tire Hook (Piece 1) 2A – Winch “T” Handle
(Piece 1)
1B

– Spare Tire Hook (Piece 2) 2B – Winch “T” Handle (Piece 2)
1C – Spare Tire Hook (Piece 3) 2C – Winch “T” Handle (Piece 3)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 413 6

Preparations For Jacking1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place the shift lever into PARK. 4. Turn OFF the ignition.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if changing the
right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked. 414 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Instructions
WARNING!Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
(Continued) WARNING! (Continued)

Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 415 6

WARNING! (Continued)
Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
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 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. 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.
Jack Warning Label
416 WHA
T TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
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. Spare Tire Hook And Removal
WHAT
TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 417 6

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 retainer
tabs together.5. There are two jack engagement locations on each side
of the vehicle body. These locations are on the sill flange
of the vehicle body.
NOTE:
Rear jack locations are between a pair of down-facing
tabs on the sill flange of the vehicle side body.
Front jack locations are on the sill flange of the vehicle
side body, and align with front door edges.Squeezing Winch Retainer Tabs
418 WHA

T TO DO IN EMERGENCIES