2004 DODGE CARAVAN automatic transmission

If you press the power door lock switch while the sliding
door is open, the sliding door will lock.
Automatic Door Locks Ð If Equipped
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if:
1. The transmission is in gear,
2. all doors are closed,
3. the vehicle speed is above 18 mph (29 km/h) and
4. the doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The Automatic Door Locks can be enabled or disabled by
performing the following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition
switch.2. Cycle the ignition switch ON/OFF four times ending
in the OFF position. (do not start the engine)
3. Within 10 seconds of the final cycle, press the interior
driver's door lock switch to the LOCK position.
4. A single chime will sound to signify that you have
successfully completed the programming.
You can turn the feature back on by repeating the above
mentioned procedure.
Auto Unlock Ð If Equipped
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Auto Door Locks feature is enabled and the Auto
Unlock feature is enabled,
2. the transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h),
3. the transmission is in NEUTRAL or PARK,
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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the Tire Pressure Monitor system and the training routine
is not performed, training will be cancelled after one
minute or the next time you cycle the ignition key. See
your authorized dealer for service and retraining of the
system.
Use Factory Settings
If ªYesº is selected, all of the customer programmable
features will be set to the factory default and not dis-
played. If ªNoº is selected you can program the Vehicle
Information Center to your own personal preferences.
Auto Door Locks
When this feature is selected, all doors and the liftgate
lock automatically when the speed of the vehicle reaches
18 mph (29 km/h). Pressing the ªSTEPº button when in
this display will select ªYesº or ªNo.º
Auto Unlock On Exit (Available Only When the
AUTO DOOR LOCKS Feature is Turned On)
When this feature is selected all the vehicle's doors will
unlock whenever any door is opened if the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in ªPº (Park) or ªNº
(Neutral) position. Pressing the ªSTEPº button when in
this display will select ªYesº or ªNo.º
Remote Unlock Driver's Door 1st
When this feature is selected only the driver's door will
unlock on the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button and require a second press to unlock the
remaining locked doors and liftgate. WhenªREMOTE
UNLOCK ALL DOORSºis selected all of the doors and
the liftgate will unlock at the first press of the remote
keyless entry unlock button. Pressing the ªSTEPº button
when in this display will select ªDRIVER'S DOOR 1STº
or ªALL DOORSº.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 117
3

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
15. Washer Fluid Light
This light turns on when the washer fluid level
falls below approximately 1/4 filled. The light will
remain on until fluid is added.
16. Transmission Range Indicator
This vacuum fluorescent display indicator shows the
automatic transaxle gear selection.17. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for 4 minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
18. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155
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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

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
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WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of PARK.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or ON positions.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

Reset Mode - Electronic Transmission
The transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transmission automatically shifts into sec-
ond gear. The transmission remains in second gear
despite the forward gear selected. Park (P), Reverse (R),
and Neutral (N) will continue to operate. This Reset
feature allows the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for
service without damaging the transmission.
In the event that the problem has been momentary, the
transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears.
²Stop the vehicle and shift into Park (P).
²Turn the key to OFF then restart the engine.
²Shift into the desired range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommended that you visit a dealer at your earliestpossible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
²ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
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transmission operating temperature exceeds acceptable
limits. This is done to prevent transmission damage due
to overheating.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD). The system is automatic with no driver
inputs or additional driving skills required. Under nor-
mal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,
power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit
and/or the viscous coupling.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
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