2005 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using the Rear Park Assist System. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you, and
be sure to check for pedestrians, other vehicles,
obstructions, and blind spots before backing up.
Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury
or death.
The display contains two sets of yellow and red LEDs
that the driver can see in the rear view mirror. Each side
of the vehicle has its own warning LEDs. The system
provides a visual warning by illuminating one or more
yellow LEDs as the vehicle gets closer to the object. As
the vehicle continues to approaches the object, one red
LED is illuminated and the system emits a series of shortbeeps. The tone will remain constant and both red LEDs
are illuminated once the vehicle is within 12 inches (30.5
cm) of the object.
The system can be turned on or off through the electronic
vehicle information center (EVIC) when the vehicle is in
PARK. If the rear park assist system is turned off, a single
chime will sound and the EVIC will display the following
message“REAR PARK ASSIST OFF”, when the vehicle is
in reverse.
NOTE:•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of dirt and debris
to keep the system operating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of the system.
If Service Park Assist System appears in the EVIC after
making sure the rear bumper is clean please see your
authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

ADJUSTABLE PEDALS—IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals
to move toward or away from the driver to provide
improved position with the steering wheel. The adjust-
able pedal system is designed to allow a greater range of
driver comfort for steering wheel tilt and seat position.
The switch is located on the right side of the steering
column.
Press the button forward to move the pedals forward
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Press the button rearward to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
•The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
Adjustable Pedal Switch
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

•The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
•The pedalscannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in R
(Reverse) or when the Speed Control System is ON.
The following messages will be displayed on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Sys-
tem (EVIC) if the pedals are attempted to be adjusted
when the system is locked out (“Adjustable Pedal
Disabled—Cruise Control Engaged”or“Adjustable
Pedal Disabled—Vehicle In Reverse”).
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become
limited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in
the adjustable pedal’s path.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Speed Control Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

To Activate:
Push the“ON/OFF”button once and the CRUISE indi-
cator located below the instrument cluster odometer will
illuminate showing the electronic speed control system is
on. To turn the system OFF, push the“ON/OFF”button
again and the system and indicator will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidently
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren’t using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the“SET”button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the“CANCEL”
button or normal braking while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate the speed control without erasing the set
speed memory. Pushing the“ON/OFF”button to the
OFF position or turning off the ignition erases the set
speed memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
“RESUME/ACCEL”button. Resume can be used at any
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Vary the Speed Setting:
When the speed control is set, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the“RESUME/ACCEL”button.
When the button is released, a new set speed will be
established.
Tapping the“RESUME/ACCEL”button once will result
in a 2 mph (3 km/h) speed increase. Each time the button
is tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button
three times will increase speed by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is set, press and
hold the“COAST”button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
Tapping the“COAST”button once will result ina1mph
(2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is tapped,
speed decreases.
To Accelerate For Passing:
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
Your vehicle will experience a downshift to 3rd gear
while climbing uphill or descending downhill. This
downshift to 3rd gear is necessary to maintain vehicle set
speed.
On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE—IF EQUIPPED
The overhead console can contain courtesy/reading
lights, an optional universal garage door opener
(HomeLink), storage for sunglasses, compass/
temperature display, a mini-trip computer, optional elec-
tronic vehicle information center (EVIC), power sliding
door switches and an optional power liftgate switch.
Courtesy/Reading Lights
At the forward end of the console are two courtesy/
reading lights.
Press the lens to turn these lights on. Press a second time
to turn the lights off.
Overhead Console
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The lights also turn on when a front door, a sliding door
or the liftgate is opened. If your vehicle is equipped with
Remote Keyless Entry, the lights will also turn on when
the unlock button on the transmitter is pressed.
The area around the instrument panel cupholders is also
illuminated from a light in the overhead console. This
light is turned on when the headlight switch is on and
will adjust in brightness when the dimmer control is
rotated up or down.
Sunglass Storage
At the rear of the overhead console, a compartment is
provided for the storage of two pair of sunglasses.
Press the door latch to open the compartment. The door
will slowly rotate to an open position.
Compass/Temperature Display
This display provides the outside temperature and one of
eight compass readings to indicate the direction the
vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32°F(0°C), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the“CAL”
symbol will be displayed. After completing three 360°
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
3

turns in an area free from large metal or metallic objects,
the“CAL”symbol will turn off and the compass will
function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the“CAL”symbol
does not appear, you must put the compass into the
Calibration Mode manually.
To put into a Calibration Mode:Turn on the ignition
switch and set the display to Comp/Temp. Press the
RESET button on vehicles equipped with a Compass/
Mini Trip Computer for at least 10 seconds until the
“CAL”symbol appears. On vehicles equipped with
Compass/Temp press and hold the C/T and US/M
buttons for 10 seconds. Release the RESET button and
complete three 360°turns in an area free from large metal
objects. The“CAL”symbol will turn off and the compass
will function normally.
CAUTION!
Do not place any external magnets, such as magnetic
roof mount antennas, in the vicinity of the compass.
Do not use magnetic tools when servicing the over-
head console.
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set.
NOTE:Magnetic materials should be kept away from
the overhead console.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE