2005 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

Daytime Running Lights (Canada/Fleet Vehicles
Only)
The Daytime Running Lights will come on whenever the
vehicle is running, the headlights are off, and the parking
brake is off. The headlight switch must be used for
normal night time driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or the park lights are left on, or if the
dimmer control is in the extreme top position after the
ignition switch is turned off, a chime will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.
Battery Protection
This feature provides battery protection to avoid wearing
down the battery if the headlights, park lights, or front
fog lights are left on for extended periods of time when
the ignition switch is in the LOCK position. After 3
minutes of the ignition switch being in the LOCK posi-
tion and the headlight switch in any position other than
OFF or AUTO, the lights will turn off automatically until
the next cycle of the ignition switch or headlight switch.
The battery protection feature will be disabled if the
ignition switch is turned to any other position other than
LOCK during the 3 minute delay.
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3

Headlamp Delay—If Equipped
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for up to 90 seconds, when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area.
To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The 90 second delay inter-
val begins when headlight switch is turned off. If the
headlights or park lights are turned back on or the
ignition switch is turned on, the delay will be cancelled.
The driver can choose, when exiting the vehicle, to have
the headlamps remain on for 30, 60, or 90 seconds, or not
remain on. refer to Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)“Customer Programmable Features”for more
information.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.NOTE:The headlights must be turned off within 45
seconds of turning the ignition off to activate this feature.
Front Fog Lights—If Equipped
To activate the front fog lights, turn on the park
lights or the low beam headlights and pull out on
the headlight switch control knob. An indicator in
the headlight switch shows that the front fog lights are
on. Pressing the headlight switch control knob in will
turn the front fog lights off.
MULTIFUNCTION LEVER
Turn Signals
Move the Multifunction Lever up or down and the
arrows on each side of the base instrument cluster or
Information Center flash to indicate proper operation of
the front and rear turn signal lights. You can signal a lane
change by moving the lever partially up or down.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a
defective outside turn signal light bulb. If one of the
indicators fails to light when the lever is moved, it would
suggest that the indicator light is defective.Turn Signal Warning
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled at over 18 mph (29 km/h) for about one mile
with the turn signals on, a chime will sound to alert the
driver.
Headlight Low/High Beam Selector Switch
Pull the multifunction lever toward the steering wheel to
switch the headlights between HIGH and LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at
high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Turn Signal Switch
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3

Windshield Wipers and Washers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
multifunction lever. Rotate the end of the lever to select
the desired wiper speed.
NOTE:Always remove any build-up of snow that
prevents the windshield wiper blades from returning to
the OFF position. If the windshield wiper switch is
turned OFF and the blades cannot return to the OFF
position, damage to the wiper motor may occur.
Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To use the washer, press the end of the multifunction
lever in when spray is desired, the washers will spray for
a maximum of 20 seconds or until the lever is released. If
another washer cycle is desired the end of the lever must
be pressed again to get another 20 second washer cycle. If
the lever is depressed while in the delay range, the
wipers will operate for several seconds after the lever is
released, and then resume the intermittent interval pre-
viously selected.
If the end of the lever is depressed while in the OFF
position, the wipers will operate for approximately two
wipe cycles, then turn OFF.WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield could
lead to an accident. You might not see other vehicles or
other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of the windshield
during freezing weather, warm the windshield with de-
froster before and during windshield washer use.
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wipers when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable.
Rotate the end of the lever to the first detent position,
then turn the end of the lever to select the desired delay
interval. The delay can be regulated from a maximum of
about 20 seconds between cycles, to a cycle every 2
seconds. The time delay will be doubled if the vehicle
speed is less than 10 mph (16 km/h).
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3

TILT STEERING COLUMN—IF EQUIPPED
To tilt the column, pull the small lever, located behind the
turn signal control, toward you and move the wheel up
or down, as desired. Release the lever to lock the wheel
firmly in place.WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
Tilt Steering Column Control
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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
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REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM—IF EQUIPPED
This system is used to help drivers determine if an
obstacle is in the way of the vehicle while it is backing up
in addition to the use of inside rearview and outside
mirrors.
When the driver selects Reverse the system scans for
objects behind the vehicle using four sensors located in
the rear bumper. Objects can be detected from up to 71
inches (180 cm). A warning display above the rear
window provides both visible and audible warnings
indicating the range of the object.
Rear Park Assist Indicator
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE