fuel DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2013 5.G Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES................461
▫Automatic Transmission................461
▫Normal Starting.......................461
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C)..........................462
▫If The Engine Fails To Start..............462
▫After Starting........................463
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .464
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............464
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............466▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .466
▫Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode.............466
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission.........468
▫Gear Ranges.........................469
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........477
▫Acceleration.........................477
▫Traction............................477
DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............478
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................478
▫Shallow Standing Water.................478
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▫Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped.........511
▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped.............513
▫Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped..........513
▫Tire Spinning........................514
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................514
▫Life Of Tire.........................515
▫Replacement Tires.....................515
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......517
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....518
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .520
▫Base System.........................522
▫Premium System – If Equipped............524FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................528
▫3.6L Engine..........................528
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................529
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............529
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......530
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................530
▫Materials Added To Fuel................531
▫Fuel System Cautions...................531
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............532
FLEXIBLE FUEL — IF EQUIPPED...........533
▫E-85 General Information...............533
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................534
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STARTING AND OPERATING 459

▫Fuel Requirements....................534
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......535
▫Starting............................536
▫Cruising Range.......................536
▫Replacement Parts....................536
▫Maintenance........................536
ADDING FUEL........................537
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............537
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............538VEHICLE LOADING....................539
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............539
TRAILER TOWING.....................541
▫Common Towing Definitions.............542
▫Towing Tips.........................554
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)............556
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .556
▫Recreational Towing – All Models..........556
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure
(Steps 1–3 above).
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If The Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
(Continued)
462 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, DO NOT crank the
engine for more than 15–second intervals at one time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key
fob is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the
accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release
the accelerator pedal and the key fob once the engine is
running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15–
second intervals of cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should be
repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 463

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF position. The key fob can only be removed from the
ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position,
and the shift lever is locked in PARK whenever the
ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF position.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key fob in the ignition switch to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key fob cannot be removed until you
obtain service.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the transmission
shifter in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the engine must be running
and the brake pedal must be pressed.
In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode
The Fuel Economy (ECON) mode can improve the vehi-
cle’s overall fuel economy during normal driving condi-
tions. Press the “econ” switch in the center stack of the
instrument panel and a green light will indicate the
ECON mode is engaged.
466 STARTING AND OPERATING

When the Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode is engaged, the
vehicle control systems will change the following:
•The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift
later.
•The transmission will skip select gears during shifts to
allow the engine to operate at lower speeds.
•
The torque converter clutch will engage at lower engine
speeds and remain on longer.
•The engine idle speed will be lower.
•The overall driving performance will be more
conservative.
•Some ECON mode functions may be temporarily
inhibited based on temperature and other factors.
Fuel Economy Mode Switch
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STARTING AND OPERATING 467

REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
472 STARTING AND OPERATING

Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (sixth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into Overdrive if the following con-
ditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•the transmission fluid has reached an adequate
temperature,
•the engine coolant has reached an adequate
temperature,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage until
the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Using the AutoStick® shift control, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
476 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•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.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear pat-
terns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal wear
patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for earlier
tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases tire rolling
resistance resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect thestability of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of
sluggish response or over responsiveness in the steering.
Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause erratic
and unpredictable steering response.
Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door.
At least once a month:
•
Check and adjust tire pressure with a good quality
pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not make a visual judge-
ment when determining proper inflation. Tires may look
properly inflated even when they are under-inflated.
•Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or visible damage.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 507