2004 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE:In many temperature positions, the bi-level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Headliner Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vane knob on the outlets to
one side will shut off the air flow.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethyleneglycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, Maintenance Procedures, of this manual for
proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
The air from the heater system will heat faster in cold
weather if you use only low blower speeds for the first 10
minutes of vehicle operation. Use of the air Recirculation
mode during winter months is not recommended be-
cause it may cause window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217
4

Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy
or humid weather. To clear the windows, use the A/C,
PANEL and blower controls. Direct the panel outlets
toward the side windows. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods as fogging may
occur.
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by using the defrost mode.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
Operating Tips
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

A/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped
The climate control system filters out dust, pollen and
some odors from the air. Strong odors can not be totally
filtered out. Refer to section 7 ªAir Conditioningº for
filter replacement instructions.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation Ð Manual
Temperature Control Only
The controls are located on the Manual Tempera-
ture Control head above the front blower control.
When the button is pressed and released and the
Ignition Switch in ON, the rear wiper will operate at a
fixed interval of about 8 seconds. As vehicle speed
increases, the time delay will shorten. The LED indicator
will light when the wiper is ON. Pressing and releasing
the button again with turn the wiper off.
Rear Washer Operation Ð Manual Temperature
Control Only
The controls are located on the Manual Tempera-
ture Control head above the front blower control.
Press and hold the button for as long as spray is
desired. If the button is depressed and held while the
Intermittent wiper is on, the wiper will operated for a few
seconds after the button is released, then resume inter-
mittent operation. If the button was pressed and held
when the intermittent wiper is off, the wiper will operate
for two cycles, then turn off. The LED will not illuminate
when Washer is selected and Intermittent is OFF.
NOTE:The washer will stop spraying if the switch is
pressed longer than 10 seconds.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 219
4

Vehicles equipped with Automatic Temperature Control,
the controls for these features are located in the middle of
the instrument panel above the radio.Rear Wiper Operation Ð Automatic Temperature
Control Only
Press this button to have the rear wiper have a
continuous wipe. When the ignition switch is in the
ON/RUN position, the rear wiper switch position as well
as an indicator light will show that the wiper is ON.
Intermittent Rear Wiper Operation Ð Automatic
Temperature Control Only
When this button is pressed and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the rear wiper will
operate at a fixed interval of about 8 seconds. As
vehicle speed increases, the time delay will shorten. The
switch position as well as an indicator light will show
when the wiper is ON.
220 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Rear Washer Operation Ð Automatic
Temperature Control Only
Press and hold the button as long as spray is
desired. If the switch is depressed while the wipers
are on, the wipers will operate for a few seconds
after the switch is released then resume the previously set
mode of intermittent wiper or continuous wipe. If the
switch is depressed when the wipers are off, the wipers
will operate for two cycles, then turn off.
NOTE:The washers will stop spraying if the switch is
pressed longer than 10 seconds.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. It is located in the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger side and
should be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fillthe reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radia-
tor antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds
to flush out the residual water.
The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon of fluid
when the Low Washer Fluid Light illuminates.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221
4

Electric Rear Window Defroster Ð If Equipped
Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the optional heated mirrors. A light
will show that the defroster is on. The defroster automati-
cally turns off after about 10 minutes of operation.
If your vehicle is equipped with Infrared Three-Zone
Automatic Temperature Control the rear defroster sym-
bol will show in the display screen when the rear
window defroster is on.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................226
N2.4L Engine.........................226
N3.3L And 3.8L Engine..................228
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........230
mAutomatic Transmission..................231
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......232
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System.............................232
NFour Speed Automatic Transmission........232mAll Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped............235
mParking Brake.........................235
mBrake System..........................237
NAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.....237
mPower Steering........................240
mTraction Control Ð If Equipped............241
mTire Safety Information...................242
NTire Markings........................242
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........246
5

NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........247
mTiresÐGeneral Information................251
NTire Pressure.........................251
NTire Inflation Pressures.................252
NRadial-Ply Tires......................255
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........255
NTire Spinning........................256
NTread Wear Indicators..................256
NReplacement Tires.....................257
NAlignment And Balance.................258
mAll Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped.......259
mTire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 259
N1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure...........260N1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure...........260
NService Tire Pressure System/See Owner's
Manual............................260
NTire Pressure Unavailable................260
NTire Pressure Now Available.............261
NSpare Tire In Use? Yes/No...............261
NAll 5 Tires With Car? Yes/No.............261
NGeneral Information...................263
mTire Chains...........................263
mSnow Tires...........................264
mTire Rotation Recommendations............265
mFuel Requirements......................266
NReformulated Gasoline.................266
224 STARTING AND OPERATING