steering DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2009 5.G Owners Manual

Seat Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release LeverAs a security measure, your vehicle may be built with a
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release is built into the
storage bin cover latching mechanism.
NOTE:
In the event of an individual being locked inside
the storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from inside of the bin by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark lever
attached to the storage bin cover latching mechanism.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
Pretensioning and load-limiting retractors for the front
seat belts
Advanced multistage driver and new active-vent front
passenger airbags
Supplemental side airbags that span the front, second,
and third row seating for the driver and passengers
seated next to a window.
An energy-absorbing steering column and steering
wheelStorage Bin Cover Emergency Release Lever
52 THINGS
TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the lap belt is not long enough when it is worn
low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and front
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
NOTE:
The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment. The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
This vehicle may also be equipped with Supplemental
Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the
driver, front, and rear passengers sitting next to a win-
dow. If the vehicle is equipped with SABIC airbags, they
are located above the side windows and their covers are
also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:
Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
Airbag Warning Light
Driver Airbag
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63 2

Front Passenger Airbag
Front and Side Impact Sensors
Steering Wheel and Column
Instrument Panel
Seat Belt Reminder Light
Knee Impact Bolster
Front Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioners
Driver Front Seat Track Position Sensor
Supplemental Seat Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC)
(if equipped)
Front Seat Airbag Features
The front airbag system has dual-stage driver and front
passenger airbags. This system provides output appro-
priate to the level of crash severity as determined by the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and the impact
sensors at the front of the car.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires airbag deployment. The timing of
the second stage determines whether the output force is
low, medium, or high. If a low output is sufficient to meet
the need, the second stage is expended later in the crash
event.
Driver Airbag Special Features
Driver airbag deployment and force level is controlled by
the driver’s seat position as well as impact severity. Use
of special inflators results in a very compact driver’s side
airbag.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during front airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
Side airbags also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
Airbag Deployment Sensors and Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if a frontal or side collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
impact sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys
the front airbags, side airbag inflatable curtains, and front
seat belt pretensioners as required for each type of
impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON position. These include all of the components
listed above except the steering wheel and column,
instrument panel, and Seat Belt Reminder Light. If the
key is in the OFF position, in the ACC position, or not in
the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front passenger seat
belt retractor assembly replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Also, have the Occupant
Restraint Controller (ORC) system serviced as well.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!

Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system. (Continued)
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

DefrosterCheck 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. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including 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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
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 if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

mDriver Memory Seat — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 170
▫ Setting Memory Positions And Linking RKE
Transmitter To Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
▫ Easy Entry/Exit Seat
(Available With Memory Seat Only) . . . . . . . 173
m To Open And Close The Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
m Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
▫ Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
▫ Parking Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
▫ Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped . . . . . . 179
▫ Headlights On With Wipers —
If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
▫ Headlight Delay — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 180 ▫
Daytime Running Lights
(Canada/Fleet Vehicles Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
▫ Front Fog Lights — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 181
▫ Battery Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
▫ Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
▫ Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
▫ Lane Change Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
▫ High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch . . . . . . 183
▫ Flash-To-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
m Windshield Wiper And Washers . . . . . . . . . . . 183
m Tilt Steering Column — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 185
m Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 186
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97 3

The uconnecttphone is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle’s audio system. The volume of the uconnectt phone
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the uconnectt phone such as 9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the uconnectt
phone and to navigate through the uconnectt phone
menu structure. Voice commands are required after most
uconnectt phone prompts. You will be prompted for a
specific command and then guided through the available
options.
Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the 9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying 9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9 the following compound command
can be said: 9Setup Phone Pairing.9
For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9 or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9 and9New Entry.9 Please remember, the
uconnectt phone works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to someone
sitting a few feet/meters away from you.
Voice Command Tree
Refer to “Voice Tree” in this section.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115 3

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOODTo open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located on the instrument
panel, below the steering column.
2. Move to the front of the vehicle and look inside the
center of the hood opening. Locate, then push the safety
catch lever to the right while raising the hood at the same
time.
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position.Hood Release Lever Safety Lever Location
UNDERSTANDING
THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175 3

CAUTION!To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approxi-
mately 12 in (30 cm) and then drop it. This should
secure both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless
the hood is fully closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could open when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
LIGHTS
All of the lights, except the Hazard Warning lights,
headlight high beams and flash-to-pass, are controlled by
switches to the left of the steering column on the instru-
ment panel.
Headlight Switch With Halo Control
176 UNDERST

ANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE