2006 DODGE CARAVAN engine overheat

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be
jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
•For vehicles equipped with Stow’n Go seating, if it
is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the
vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit.
368 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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).
390 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 407
7

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and thevehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure
to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or childrendo not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the coolant in the coolant
recovery bottle should be between the ranges indicated
on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
7

Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 19
Door Opener, Garage..................... 167
Drive Belts............................ 405
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 413
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 389
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 92
Electrical Power Outlets................... 175
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 155
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 163
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 366
Jacking........................368,369,381
Jump Starting......................... 387
Overheating.......................... 367
Emission Control System Maintenance......399,448
Engine............................396,397Air Cleaner.......................... 407
Air Cleaner Filter...................... 406
Block Heater......................... 309
Break-In Recommendations................ 82
Checking Oil Level..................... 401
Compartment......................396,397
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 444
Cooling............................. 416
Exhaust Gas Caution..................37,345
Fails to Start.......................305,307
Fuel Requirements..................342,443
Oil ...........................401,443,444
Oil Change Interval.................... 403
Oil Disposal.......................... 405
Oil Filler Cap......................... 404
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 405
Oil Selection.......................403,443
Oil Synthetic......................... 405
Overheating.......................... 367
486 INDEX

Exterior Folding........................ 91
Heated.............................. 93
Outside.............................. 92
Rearview............................. 90
Vanity............................... 93
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 337
Mopar Parts.........................400,477
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 147
Navigation System....................... 257
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 82
Occupant Restraints....................... 42
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 342
Odometer............................. 211
Oil, Engine.........................401,444
Capacity............................ 443
Change Interval....................... 403Checking............................ 401
Disposal............................ 405
Filter............................405,444
Filter Disposal........................ 405
Identification Logo..................... 404
Materials Added to..................... 405
Recommendation...................403,443
Synthetic............................ 405
Viscosity..........................404,443
Onboard Diagnostic System..............398,399
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 167
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 90
Overdrive............................. 312
Overhead Console....................... 158
Overhead Travel Information Center.......... 158
Overheating, Engine...................208,367
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).........4,478
492 INDEX