2005 DODGE CARAVAN maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................87
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................187
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................289
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................343
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................371
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................425
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................447
10INDEX....................................................................457
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain
fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner’s manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

▫Sunglass Storage......................151
▫Compass/Temperature Display...........151
▫Mini-Trip Computer...................154
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)—
If Equipped.........................155
▫Customer Programmable Features—
If Equipped.........................156

Garage Door Opener—If Equipped.........159
▫Programming Homelink................160
▫Canadian Programming/Gate
Programming........................163
▫Using Homelink......................164
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............164
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 164▫Security............................165

Power Sunroof—If Equipped.............165
▫Express Open Feature..................166
▫Wind Buffeting.......................167
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................167

Electrical Power Outlets—If Equipped.......168
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......169

Convenience Tray Drawer And Cup Holders . . . 170
▫Instrument Panel Cup Holders............170
▫Convenience Tray And Optional Smoker’s
Package Kit.........................171
▫Rear Cupholders......................172
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
In an accident, there is a greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seat belt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured too.
Do not allow small children to operate the sunroof.
Never allow fingers or other body parts, or any
object to project through the sunroof opening. Injury
may result.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 167
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Satellite Radio—If Equipped..............254
▫System Activation.....................254
▫Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ENS/SID)....................255
▫Selecting Satellite Mode In RBB, RAH And RBK
Radios.............................255
▫Selecting Satellite Mode In RBP, RBU, RAZ, RB1
And RBQ Radios.....................256
▫Selecting a Channel....................256
▫Storing And Selecting Pre-Set Channels......257
▫Using The PTY (Program Type) Button (If
Equipped)..........................257
▫PTY ButtonScan.....................257
▫PTY ButtonSeek.....................257▫Satellite Antenna......................257
▫Reception Quality.....................258

Remote Sound System Controls—
If Equipped...........................258
▫Radio Operation......................259
▫Tape Player.........................259
▫CD Player..........................260

Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......260

CD/DVD Disc Maintenance...............261

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........261

Climate Controls.......................262
▫Manual Air Conditioning And
Heating System......................262
▫Front Mode Control...................263
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 191
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CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
4. Before inserting a tape, make sure that the label is
adhering flat to the cassette.
5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.
Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or“muddy”sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
260 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the CD/DVD discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper, paper CD labels, or tape to the
disc; avoid scratching the disc.4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the cellular phone being On in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition
is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance
does not satisfactorily“clear”by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 261
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glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, Maintenance Procedures, of this manual for
proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To insure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to section 7, Maintenance
Procedures, of this manual for proper coolant selection.
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequatesystem lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy
or humid weather. To clear the windows, selectdefrost
ormixmode and increase the front blower speed. Do
not use the Recirculation mode without A/C for long
periods as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 283
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