2004 DODGE CARAVAN maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................73
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................143
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................223
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................279
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................295
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................347
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................371
10INDEX....................................................................381
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner's manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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NErasing Homelink Buttons...............124
NReprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 124
NSecurity............................124
mPower Sunroof Ð If Equipped.............125
NExpress Open Feature..................126
NWind Buffeting.......................127
NSunroof Maintenance...................127
mElectrical Power Outlets Ð If Equipped.......127
NElectrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......129
mConvenience Tray Drawer And Cup Holders . . . 129
NInstrument Panel Cup Holders............129NConvenience Tray And Optional Smoker's
Package Kit.........................130
NRear Cupholders......................130
mStorage..............................132
NFront Seat Storage Bin Ð If Equipped.......132
NRemovable Floor Console Ð If Equipped....132
NRear Compartment Storage Bins...........135
NCargo Area Storage....................135
NCargo Organizer Ð If Equipped...........136
mRoof Luggage Rack Ð If Equipped..........139
mLoad Leveling System...................141
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
In an accident, there is a greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seat belt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured too.
Do not allow small children to operate the sunroof.
Never allow fingers or other body parts, or any
object to project through the sunroof opening. Injury
may result.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certainopen or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS Ð IF EQUIPPED
To the left of the instrument panel cup holder are two 12
volt power outlets. The upper outlet is controlled by the
ignition switch and the lower outlet is connected directly
to the battery. The upper outlet will also operate a
conventional cigar lighter unit (if equipped with an
optional Smoker's Package).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
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NTime Button.........................186
NChanging Modes......................186
NRemoving Discs From The CD Changer.....187
NCD Changer Operation With The Changer
Off ...............................187
m6 Disc CD/Digital Video Disc (DVD)
Changer Ð If Equipped..................187
NOperating Instructions Ð CD/DVD Changer . . 188
NEject (EJT) Button.....................189
NOperating Instructions Ð Remote Control....189
NOperating Instructions Ð Video Screen......191
NOperating Instructions Ð Headphones......192
NOperating Instructions Ð MP3 Player.......194NOperating Instructions Ð Video
Games/Camcorders...................195
mRemote Sound System Controls Ð If Equipped . . 195
NRadio Operation......................196
NTape Player.........................196
NCD Player..........................197
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......197
mCD/DVD Disc Maintenance...............198
mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones........198
mClimate Controls.......................199
NManual Air Conditioning And Heating
System.............................199
NFront Mode Control...................200
146 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
4. Before inserting a tape, make sure that the label is
adhering flatly to the cassette.
5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.
Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or ªmuddyº sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197
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turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the CD/DVD discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper, paper CD labels, or tape to the
disc; avoid scratching the disc.4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the cellular phone being On in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition
is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance
does not satisfactorily ªclearº by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL