traction control DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2013 5.G Owners Manual

POWER STEERING.....................480
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............481
PARKING BRAKE......................481
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS).........483
▫Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light............485
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. . . .486
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............486
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............487
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........488
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..............492
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................493
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............496
▫Tire Markings........................496▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........499
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........501
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........502
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION.........506
▫Tire Pressure........................506
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................507
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation. . . .509
▫Radial Ply Tires......................509
▫All Season Tires – If Equipped............510
▫Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .510
▫Snow Tires..........................510
▫Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped................511
458 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first
become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 477

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Traction Control
System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS) and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC), and
Hill Start Assist (HSA). These systems complement the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) by optimizing the vehicle
braking capability during emergency braking maneuvers.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS) monitors the amount
of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin
is detected, brake pressure is applied to the slipping
wheel(s) and engine power is reduced, to provide en-
hanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCSfunctions similarly to a limited-slip differential, and
controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel
on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This
will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if
the ESC is in the “Partial Off” mode.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (in
the instrument cluster) will start to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin. This
indicates that the TCS is active. If the indicator light
flashes during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator
and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt
your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions,
and do not switch off the ESC or TCS.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions.
•The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) enhances directional
control and stability of the vehicle under various driving
conditions. ESC corrects for over/under steering of the
vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to
assist in counteracting the over/under steer condition. En-
gine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer
condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
488 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent all
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent accidents
resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappro-
priate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety
of others.
ESC Operating Modes
The “ESC Off” switch is located in the center
switch bank, next to the hazard flasher switch.
ESC On
This mode is the normal operating mode for ESC on
two-wheel drive vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started, the ESC system will be in this mode. This mode
should be used for most driving situations. ESC should
only be turned off for specific reasons as noted below.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC
Off” switch.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 489

When in the “Partial Off” mode, the TCS portion of ESC,
except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS
section, has been disabled and the “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” will be illuminated. When in the “Partial Off”
mode, ESC will operate without engine torque manage-
ment. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in
deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel
spin than ESC would normally allow is required to gain
traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the
“ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On”
mode of operation.
WARNING!
•When inPartial Offmode, the TCS functionality
of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature de-
scribed in the TCS section), has been disabled and
theESC Off Indicator Lightwill be illuminated.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
When inPartial Offmode, the engine power
reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the
enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC sys-
tem is reduced.
•Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in thePartial Offmode.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa-
tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
490 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may
result in false speedometer and odometer readings.
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage:
•Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
•Install on front tires only.•225/65R16 and 235/60R16 tires with the use of a
traction device that meets the SAE type “Class S”
specification is recommended.
•
Due to limited clearance, P225/65R17 and 225/65R17
tires with a Security Chain Company (SCC) Super Z6 low
profile traction device or equivalent is recommended.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 517

Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
658 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Center Mounted Stop....................637
Daytime Running.......................224
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................225
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator.....491
Engine Temperature Warning...............323
Exterior..............................120
Fog .................................224
Hazard Warning Flasher..................560
Headlights............................635
Headlights On Reminder..................224
High Beam Indicator.....................311
High Beam/Low Beam Select...............228
Illuminated Entry........................20
Interior..............................225
License..............................637
Lights On Reminder.....................224
Low Fuel.............................322
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine).........317
Oil Pressure...........................323Park................................635
Passing..............................228
Reading..............................253
Rear Servicing.........................636
Rear Tail.............................636
Seat Belt Reminder......................321
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)...............320
Service...............................634
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator). . . .317
Side Marker...........................636
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)...............320
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)............315
Traction Control........................491
Turn Signal...........................120
Voltage..............................323
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)......311
Loading Vehicle
..........................284
Capacities............................541
Tires ................................502
10
INDEX 671

Torque Converter Clutch....................476
Towing................................541
24-Hour Towing Assistance................160
Disabled Vehicle........................586
Guide...............................547
Recreational...........................556
Weight...............................547
Towing Assistance.........................160
Traction................................477
Traction Control..........................486
Traction Control Switch.....................486
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..................492
Trailer Towing...........................541
Cooling System Tips.....................555
Hitches..............................546
Minimum Requirements..................549
Tips.................................554
Trailer and Tongue Weight.................548
Wiring...............................553Trailer Towing Guide.......................547
Trailer Weight............................547
Transmission............................617
Automatic............................464
Fluid................................617
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry). . .28
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®). . . .256
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE).........20
Transporting Pets.........................112
Tread Wear Indicators......................514
Trip Odometer...........................312
Turn Signals.............................311
UCI Connector...........................376
Umbrella Holder..........................281
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.................657
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector. . . .376
Universal Transmitter......................256
678 INDEX