2004 DODGE CARAVAN heating

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle 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
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum 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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, 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 ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 281
6

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don't let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing 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 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Front Wheel Drive
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160
km), and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 291
6

CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer's specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.
310 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Radiator Cap......................... 320
Selection of Coolant..................319,344
Cruise Control.......................... 107
Cruise Light........................... 157
Cup Holder.........................129,334
Customer Assistance..................... 372
Daytime Running Lights................... 101
Dealer Service.......................... 302
Defroster, Rear Window................... 222
Defroster, Windshield................72,203,213
Digital Video Disc Player.................. 187
Dimmer Control......................... 99
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 327
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 321
Domelight............................. 99
Door Ajar Light......................... 151Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 19
Door Opener, Garage..................... 119
Drive Belts............................ 307
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 315
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 290
DVD Player............................ 187
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 79
Electrical Power Outlets................... 127
Electronic Speed Control................... 107
Electronic Vehicle Information Center.......... 115
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 282
Overheating.......................... 281
Emission Control System Maintenance......301,348
Engine............................298,299
Air Cleaner.......................... 309
INDEX 385
10

Air Cleaner Filter...................... 308
Block Heater......................... 230
Break-In Recommendations................ 70
Checking Oil Level..................... 303
Compartment......................298,299
Coolant............................. 344
Cooling............................. 318
Exhaust Gas Caution..................36,269
Fails to Start.......................227,229
Fuel Requirements..................... 266
Oil ..............................303,344
Oil Change Interval.................... 305
Oil Selection.......................... 305
Oil Synthetic......................... 307
Overheating.......................... 281
Temperature Gauge..................... 154
Exhaust Gas Caution..............36,71,269,317
Exhaust System......................... 317
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 78Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 308
Air Conditioning....................219,313
Automatic Transaxle.................... 328
Engine Fuel.......................... 309
Engine Oil........................307,344
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 307
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 280
Turn Signal..................158,159,340,342
Fluid Capacities......................... 343
Fluid Leaks............................. 72
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 327
Brake............................... 345
Power Steering.....................314,345
Fog Light Service........................ 341
Fog Lights..........................102,341
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 291
386 INDEX

Automatic Dimming..................... 77
Electric Remote........................ 79
Exterior Folding........................ 78
Heated.............................. 80
Outside.............................. 78
Rearview............................. 77
Vanity............................... 80
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 259
Mopar Parts.........................302,375
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 102
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 70
Occupant Restraints....................... 38
Octane Rating, Gasoline................... 266
Odometer............................. 157
Oil, Engine.........................303,344
Capacity............................ 343Change Interval....................... 305
Checking............................ 303
Disposal............................ 307
Filter............................307,344
Filter Disposal........................ 307
Identification Logo..................... 306
Materials Added to..................... 307
Recommendation...................... 305
Synthetic............................ 307
Viscosity............................ 306
Onboard Diagnostic System..............300,301
Opener, Garage Door..................... 119
Operator Manuals......................... 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 77
Overdrive............................. 234
Overhead Console....................... 110
Overhead Travel Information Center.......... 110
Overheating, Engine...................154,281
Owner's Manual.......................4,376
INDEX 391
10