2006 DODGE CARAVAN heating

Towing Tips—Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips—Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways—Slow down.
•In city traffic—While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads“H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the“H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
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).
390 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

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