2005 DODGE CARAVAN flat tire

CAUTION!
For vehicles equipped with fold-in-floor seating, the
Winch Mechanism is designed specifically to stow a
COMPACT Spare Tire ONLY. Do not attempt to use
the Winch to stow the Full Size’Flat’Tire, or any
other Full Size Tire. Vehicle damage may result.
Jacking Instructions—Non Fold-in-Floor Seating
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas,set the parking brakeand place the gear
selector in PARK. Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
6

NOTE:Do not install the wheel cover on the compact
spare.
Do not use a hammer or force to install the wheel covers.
9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
10. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N·m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
11. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
12. Secure the flat or spare tire as follows:
•If your vehicle is equipped with cast aluminum
wheels, the center cap of the wheel must be re-
moved prior to flat tire stowage. Store the center cap
inside the glove box or other storage compartment.
•Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide
the wheel retainer through the center of the wheel
and position it properly across the wheel opening.
364 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation,
stow with the valve stem toward the rear of the
vehicle.
•Using the jack handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the wheel is drawn into place against the
underside of the vehicle.
•Continue to rotate the nut until you hear the mecha-
nism click three times. It cannot be overtightened.
Push against the tire several times to be sure it is
securely in place.
13. Stow the jack and jack handle.
14. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 365
6

2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
368 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
456 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 334
Oil (Engine).......................... 382
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 396
Car Washes............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 333
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 182
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 181
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 260
Cassette Tape Player................206,216,221
Catalytic Converter...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas..............38,83,333,393
CD Changer................215,224,238,240,243
CD Player.........212,216,223,226,229,233,236,243
CD Player Maintenance................... 261
Cellular Phone........................96,261
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 420
Center Lap Belts......................... 50Chains, Tire............................ 327
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 346
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 309
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator Light)......................202,377
Child Restraint.......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 74
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Child Seat............................68,76
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 331
Climate Control......................... 262
Clock................................ 204
Compact Disc Changer.................... 240
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 261
Compact Disc Player..................206,212
Compact Spare Tire...................... 320
Compass.............................. 151
Compass Calibration..................... 152
Compass Variance....................... 152
460 INDEX

Temperature Gauge..................... 200
Exhaust Gas Caution..............38,83,333,393
Exhaust System......................... 393
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 52
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 93
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 384
Air Conditioning....................284,389
Automatic Transaxle.................... 405
Engine Oil........................383,422
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 383
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 344
Turn Signal.....................197,418,419
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 355
Fluid Capacities......................... 421
Fluid Leaks............................. 85Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 404
Brake............................... 401
Power Steering........................ 390
Fog Light Service........................ 419
Fog Lights..........................138,419
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 368
Fuel................................. 330
Adding............................. 334
Additives............................ 332
Clean Air............................ 331
Filler Cap............................ 334
Gasoline............................ 330
Gauge.............................. 196
Hoses.............................. 402
Light............................... 197
Octane Rating......................330,422
Requirements......................330,421
Tank Capacity........................ 421
INDEX 463
10

Compact Spare........................ 320
Flat Changing........................ 355
General Information.................... 316
High Speed.......................... 319
Inflation Pressures..................... 317
Jacking........................346,347,359
Load Capacity.....................312,313
Pressure Monitor System................. 325
Quality Grading....................... 455
Radial.............................. 320
Replacement......................... 323
Rotation............................. 329
Safety...........................308,316
Sizes............................... 309
Snow Tires........................... 329
Spare Tire.........................349,360
Spinning............................ 322
Tread Wear Indicators................... 322Towing............................... 338
Disabled Vehicle....................... 369
Trailering............................ 338
Traction Control...................143,203,306
Traction Control Switch.................143,306
Trailer Towing.......................... 338
Minimum Requirements................. 339
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 339
Transaxle............................. 297
Automatic........................... 297
Operation........................... 297
Overdrive........................... 300
Selection of Lubricant................403,423
Transmission........................... 402
Automatic........................... 402
Filter............................... 405
Fluid............................403,423
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 26
INDEX 473
10