2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN instrument panel

• The Driver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC and
impact sensors detects a collision requiring the air-
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the front airbags.
Different airbag inflation rates may be possible based
on collision severity and occupant size. The steering
wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of the
instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as
the airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags fully
inflate in about 50 – 70 milliseconds. This is about half
of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
The driver ’ s and passenger ’ s front airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle. • The Side Impact SRS Window Bags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
and the side impact sensors (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the window bags to
inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the
way and covers the window. The airbag inflates in
about 30 milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the window bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The win-
dow bag is only about 3 1
2
inches (9 cm) thick when it
is inflated. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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removal or loosening/tightening of seat attachment
bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be used.
If there is a fault present in the system, the AIRBAG
warning light will illuminate indicating that you should
take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. In the presence
of an occupant in the passenger seat, if both the PAD
indicator light and AIRBAG warning light are illumi-
nated the airbag will be disabled.
The ORC will not allow front airbag deployment in the
event of a collision for occupants classified into the empty
or child size categories. The PAD indicator light will
illuminate indicating that the Passenger Airbag is OFF
when the OCS has determined that the occupant size
category is a child. Also, when the seat is empty or an
object that weighs less than a predetermined threshold is
placed on the seat, the light will remain OFF. (The PAD
indicator light is an amber light located on the center of the
instrument panel above the radio.) For almost all sizes of properly seated adults, the airbag
will be enabled in the event of a collision. For small
teenagers and some small adults, depending on size, the
airbag may or may not be enabled in the event of a
collision. Both drivers and passengers should always use
the PAD indicator light as an indication if the front
passenger is properly positioned or not. If the PAD
indicator light comes on when an adult is in the passen-
ger seat, have the passenger re-position themselves in the
seat until the light goes out. Passenger Airbag Disabled Light THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!• Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause
it to fail when you need it. You could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. Do not modify the
components or wiring, including adding any kind of
badges or stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not modify
the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or frame.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag
system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not
function properly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced airbag
system service. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the
vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify an advanced airbag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer. WARNING!• You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system immediately.
• The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6
to 8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the LED is not lit
during starting, have it checked. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫ Compass/Temperature Display ...........159
▫ Mini-Trip Computer ...................162
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped .........................163
▫ Customer Programmable Features —
If Equipped .........................164

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped .........167
▫ Programming Homelink ................169
▫ Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 171
▫ Using Homelink ......................172
▫ Erasing Homelink Buttons ...............172
▫ Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 172
▫ Security ............................173

Power Sunroof — If Equipped .............173 ▫ Express Open Feature ..................174
▫ Wind Buffeting .......................175
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ...................175

Electrical Power Outlets — If Equipped .......175
▫ Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off .......177

Convenience Tray Drawer And Cup Holders . . . 177
▫ Instrument Panel Cup Holders ............177
▫ Convenience Tray And Optional Smoker ’ s
Package Kit .........................178
▫ Rear Cupholders ......................179

Storage ..............................180
▫ Front Seat Storage Bin — If Equipped .......180
▫ Second Row Seat Storage Bins — If Equipped . 18188 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Outside Mirror — Driver ’ s Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.
Outside Mirror — Passenger ’ s Side
Adjust the convex outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle in the portion of the mirror closest to
the vehicle. This type of mirror will give a much wider
view to the rear, and especially of the lane next to your
vehicle. WARNING!Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object.
Use your inside mirror when judging the size or
distance of a vehicle seen in this convex mirror.
Power Remote-Control Mirrors — If Equipped
Use the mirror select switch, located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column, to adjust the view
obtained in the outside mirrors. Press the rocker switch to
the L or R for Left or Right mirror selection. Use the
center off position to guard against accidentally moving
a mirror position.92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Turning Confirmation Prompts On/Off
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g. the UConnect ™ sys-
tem will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).
• Press the ’ Phone ’ button to begin.
• After the  Ready  prompt and the following beep, say
 Setup Confirmations.  The UConnect ™ system will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cell phone, the UConnect ™ system will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnect ™ . The status is given for roaming net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc. Dialing Using the Cellular Phone Keypad
You can dial a phone number with your cellular phone
keypad and still use the UConnect ™ system (while
dialing via the cell phone keypad, the user must exercise
caution and take precautionary safety measures). By
dialing a number with your paired Bluetooth ™ cellular
phone, the audio will be played through your vehicle ’ s
audio system. The UConnect ™ system will work the
same as if you dial the number using voice recognition.
NOTE: Certain brands of mobile phones do not send the
dial ring to the UConnect ™ system to play it on the
vehicle audio system, so you will not hear it. Under this
situation, after successfully dialing a number, the user
may feel that the call did not go through even though the
call is in progress. Once your call is answered, you will
hear the audio.108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!Do not place any article under a power seat or
impede its ability to move as it may cause damage to
the seat controls. Seat travel may become limited if
movement is stopped by an obstruction in the seat ’ s
path.
Adjustable Head Restraints — If Equipped
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Pull up or push down
on the head restraint so that the upper edge is as high as
practical. To raise the head restraint, pull up on the head
restraint. To lower the head restraint, depress the release
tab located at the base of the head restraint and push
down on the head restraint. Heated Seats — If Equipped
This feature heats the front driver and passenger seats.
The controls for the heated seats are located on the
instrument panel above the radio. You may choose LOW, Adjustable Head RestraintsUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
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