2005 DODGE CARAVAN traction control

▫Automatic Headlights—If Equipped.......136
▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada/Fleet
Vehicles Only).......................137
▫Lights-On Reminder...................137
▫Battery Protection.....................137
▫Headlamp Delay—If Equipped..........138
▫Front Fog Lights—If Equipped...........138

Multifunction Lever.....................138
▫Turn Signals.........................138
▫Headlight Low/High Beam Selector Switch . . . 139
▫Passing Light........................139
▫Windshield Wipers And Washers..........140

Tilt Steering Column—If Equipped.........142
Traction Control Switch—If Equipped.......143

Rear Park Assist System—If Equipped.......144

Adjustable Pedals—If Equipped...........146

Electronic Speed Control—If Equipped......147
▫To Activate..........................148
▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............148
▫To Deactivate........................148
▫To Resume Speed.....................148
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............149
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............149

Overhead Console—If Equipped...........150
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights................150
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 89
3

TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH—IF EQUIPPED
The TRAC indicator, located below the instrument cluster
odometer, will light up when the Traction Control is in use.
To turn the system OFF, press the TRAC OFF switch located
on the steering column, until the TRAC OFF indicator below
the instrument cluster odometer lights up.
To turn the system back ON, press the switch a second
time until the TRAC OFF indicator turns OFF.
NOTE:
•The Traction Control System indicator comes on each
time the ignition switch is turned ON. This will occur
even if you used the switch to turn the system OFF.
•The Traction Control will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when in operation.
Traction Control Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

22. Trac Off Indicator—If Equipped
This display indicator should illuminate for approxi-
mately four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.
The“TRAC OFF”Indicator will flash if the traction
control is in use.
The“TRAC OFF”Indicator will illuminate if:
•The Traction Control switch has been used to turn
the system OFF.
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction
•The system has been deactivated to prevent damage
to the brake system due to overheated brake tem-
peratures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
“rock”the vehicle free.
23. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 203
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................292
▫2.4L Engine.........................292
▫3.3L And 3.8L Engine..................294

Engine Block Heater—If Equipped.........296

Automatic Transmission..................297
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......298
▫Automatic Transmission Ignition
Interlock System......................298
▫Four Speed Automatic Transmission........298
Parking Brake.........................301

Brake System..........................302
▫Anti-Lock Brake System—If Equipped.....303

Power Steering........................305

Traction Control—If Equipped............306

Tire Safety Information...................308
▫Tire Markings........................308
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........311
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........312
5

WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolong operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
TRACTION CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System reduces wheel slip and
maintains traction at the driving (front) wheels. The
system reduces wheel slip by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction (spinning). The system
operates at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
The system is always in the“stand by”mode unless,
•The Traction Control Switch has been used to turn the
system OFF
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

•There is a Traction Control System malfunction
•The system has been deactivated to prevent damage to
the brake system due to overheated brake tempera-
turesNOTE:The Traction Control will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
“rock”the vehicle free.
Traction Control Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally 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 danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. 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 known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
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Call Toll Free at1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)or1–800–387–1143
(Canada)
Or
Visit us on the World Wide Web at:
www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.comor
www.daimlerchrysler.ca/manuals
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) 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
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 455
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