2005 DODGE CARAVAN key

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher..................344

If Your Engine Overheats.................345

Jacking And Tire Changing................346
▫Jacking Instructions—Fold-In-Floor Seating . . 347
▫Jacking Instructions—Non Fold-In-Floor
Seating.............................359

Jump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low....365

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............367
▫Acceleration.........................367▫Traction............................367

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle..................368

Towing A Disabled Vehicle................369
▫With Ignition Key.....................369
▫Without The Ignition Key...............370
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................370
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley....................370
6

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160
km), and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72
km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
mission geartrain failure. If the transmission is not op-
erative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 100
miles (160 km), the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels off the ground.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position, not
in the LOCK or ACCESSORY positions.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 369
6

If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the
transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing with out the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the limitations
described in this section.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLEY
The manufacturedoes not recommendthat you tow a
front wheel drive vehicle on a tow dolley. Vehicle damage
may occur.
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 377
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ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have yourvehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
378 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, turn
the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any time
when the ignition key is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Interlock System....................... 298
Reset Mode.......................... 299
Selection Of Lubricant................403,423
Shifting............................. 299
Special Additives...................... 405
Automatic Transmission................... 402
Adding Fluid......................... 404
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 405
Fluid Change......................... 405
Fluid Level Check...................... 404
Fluid Type........................403,423
Ball Joints............................. 390
Battery............................... 387
Gas Caution.......................... 387
Jump Starting......................... 365
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 26
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 137
Bearings.............................. 406Belts, Drive............................ 383
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 391
B-Pillar Location........................ 312
Brake Fluid............................ 423
Brake, Parking.......................... 301
Brake System........................302,399
Anti-Lock........................... 303
Fluid Check.......................... 401
Hoses.............................. 400
Warning Light........................ 197
Brakes.............................302,399
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 298
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 82
Bulb Replacement....................... 416
Bulbs, Light............................ 415
Calibration, Compass..................... 152
Capacities, Fluid........................ 421
INDEX 459
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Ignition
Key ................................. 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 16
Immobilizer............................ 13
Indicator, Traction Control................. 203
Infant Restraint.......................... 70
Information Center...................... 155
Information Center, Vehicle................. 155
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 92
Instrument Cluster.................194,195,196
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 193
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 410
Integrated Child Seat...................... 68
Integrated Power Module.................. 412
Interior Appearance Care.................. 408
Interior Lights.......................134,135
Intermittent Wipers.................141,284,286
Introduction............................. 4Jack Location..................348,350,360,361
Jack Operation....................346,350,361
Jacking Instructions...................350,361
Jump Starting.......................... 365
Key, Programming........................ 15
Key, Replacement........................ 15
Key, Sentry............................. 13
Key-In Reminder......................... 13
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 58
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 42
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether
for CHildren)........................... 74
Latches
Hood............................... 132
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 330
INDEX 465
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