ECO mode DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2013 5.G Repair 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
5

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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 467

In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
shift above third gear (except to prevent engine overspeed),
but will shift down into second and first gear normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate automatically, shift-
ing between all available gears. Tapping the shift lever to
the left (-) will activate ERS mode, display the current gear
in the instrument cluster, and maintain that gear as the top
available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping the shift lever to
the left (-) or right (+) will change the top available gear.
474 STARTING AND OPERATING

•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an excessively
swaying trailer and will take the appropriate actions to
attempt to stop the sway. The system may reduce engine
power and apply the brake of the appropriate wheel(s) to
counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC will become active
automatically once an excessively swaying trailer is recog-
nized. No driver action is required. Note that TSC cannotstop all trailers from swaying. Always use caution when
towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue weight
recommendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting
and Operating” for further information. When TSC is
functioning, the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” will flash, the engine power may be reduced and
you may feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels
to attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” mode.WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
492 STARTING AND OPERATING

E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles
Non-FFV vehicles are compatible with gasoline contain-
ing 10% ethanol (E10). Gasoline with higher ethanol
content may void the vehicle’s warranty.
If a Non-FFV vehicle is inadvertently fueled with E-85
fuel, the engine will have some or all of these symptoms:
•operate in a lean mode
•OBD II “Malfunction Indicator Light” on
•poor engine performance
•poor cold start and cold drivability
•increased risk for fuel system component corrosionTo fix a Non-FFV vehicle inadvertently fueled once with
E-85 perform the following:
•drain the fuel tank (see your authorized dealer)
•change the engine oil and oil filter
•disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the
engine controller memory
More extensive repairs will be required for prolonged
exposure to E-85 fuel.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasoline
blended with MMT provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces spark plug
530 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
lower center area of the instrument panel.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional 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 flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE:With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
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, place the transmission
in 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 off can help remove this heat.
•
You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower 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.
560 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:Press theESC Offswitch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system inPartial Offmode
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.Once the vehicle has been freed, press the
ESC Offswitch again to restoreESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by
excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are stuck and
do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what
the speed.
584 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Cooling System...........................608
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...............611
Coolant Capacity.......................638
Coolant Level..........................609
Disposal of Used Coolant.................613
Drain, Flush, and Refill...................610
Inspection............................613
Points to Remember.....................613
Pressure Cap..........................612
Radiator Cap..........................612
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).............610
Corrosion Protection.......................619
Cupholders.............................274
Customer Assistance.......................651
Data Recorder, Event.......................88
Daytime Running Lights....................224
Dealer Service............................595
Defroster, Windshield......................119Delay (Intermittent) Wipers..................230
Diagnostic System, Onboard.................592
Dimmer Control..........................225
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission..................618
Oil (Engine)...........................597
Power Steering.........................481
Disabled Vehicle Towing....................586
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................613
Door Locks..............................35
Door Opener, Garage.......................256
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water................................478
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy......336
E-85 Fuel...............................533
Economy (Fuel) Mode......................466
10
INDEX 665

Clean Air.............................529
Conserving............................336
Economy Mode........................466
Ethanol..............................529
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).....................319
Filler Door (Gas Cap)....................319
Gasoline..............................528
Gauge...............................319
Light................................322
Materials Added........................531
Methanol.............................529
Octane Rating..........................528
Requirements..........................528
Saver Mode...........................336
Tank Capacity..........................638
Fuel, Flexible............................533
Fueling................................537
Fuel Optimizer...........................336Fuel Saver..............................336
Fuses..................................626
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®)............256
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...................537
Gasoline, Clean Air........................529
Gasoline (Fuel)...........................528
Conserving............................336
Gasoline, Reformulated.....................529
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.....................322
Fuel.................................319
Speedometer..........................319
Tachometer............................311
Gear Ranges.............................469
Gear Select Lever Override..................585
General Information........................17
Glass Cleaning...........................624
668 INDEX