2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN instrument panel

WARNING!• Not all head restraints in this vehicle are the same.
Head restraints from one seating position should not
be removed and installed in any other seating posi-
tion. In a collision, serious injury or death may result
if the proper head restraint is not installed on each
seat.
• The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle should not
be used as a play area by children. They could be
seriously injured in a collision. Children should be
seated and using the proper restraint system.
• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly. TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Hood Release LeverUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

Next, push to the left the safety catch located under the
front edge of the hood, near the center.
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approximately 30 cm (12 inches) and then drop it. This should secure both
latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully
closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
LIGHTS
All of the lights, except the hazard warning lights, are
controlled by switches to the left of the steering column
on the instrument panel.Hood Safety Catch142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Interior Lights
Interior lights are turned on when a door or liftgate is
opened, the keyless entry transmitter is activated, or
when the dimmer control is moved to the extreme top.
The interior lights will automatically turn off in about 15
minutes if any of the following occur. • A door, sliding door or the liftgate is left open.
• Any overhead reading light is left on.
• If the dimmer control is in the extreme top position.
NOTE: The key must be out of the ignition switch or the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position for this
feature to operate.
Park Lights
Turn this switch to the first detent to turn the park
lights on. This also turns on all instrument panel
lighting.
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to the 2nd detent to
turn the headlights and park lights on. This
also turns on all instrument panel lighting.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the dimmer control up or down.Headlight Switch UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

OVERHEAD CONSOLE — IF EQUIPPED
The overhead console can contain courtesy/reading
lights, an optional universal garage door opener
(HomeLink  ), storage for sunglasses, compass/
temperature display, a mini-trip computer, optional elec-
tronic vehicle information center (EVIC), power sliding
door switches and an optional power liftgate switch. Courtesy/Reading Lights
At the forward end of the console are two courtesy/
reading lights.
Press the lens to turn these lights on. Press a second time
to turn the lights off.
The lights also turn on when a front door, a sliding door
or the liftgate is opened. If your vehicle is equipped with
Remote Keyless Entry, the lights will also turn on when
the unlock button on the transmitter is pressed.
The area around the instrument panel cupholders is also
illuminated from a light in the overhead console. This
light is turned on when the headlight switch is on and
will adjust in brightness when the dimmer control is
rotated up or down.
Overhead Console158 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.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS — IF EQUIPPED
To the left of the instrument panel cup holder are two 12
volt power outlets. The upper outlet is controlled by the
ignition switch and the lower outlet is connected directly
to the battery. The upper outlet will also operate a
conventional cigar lighter unit (if equipped with an
optional Smoker ’ s Package).UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
3

A third outlet is located on the driver ’ s side, just to the
rear of the sliding door and is also controlled by the
ignition switch. The lower and rear outlets will not
accommodate a conventional cigar lighter unit. The outlets include tethered caps labeled with a key or
battery symbol indicating the power source. The lower
instrument panel outlet is powered directly from the
battery, items plugged into this outlet may discharge the
battery and/or prevent engine starting.
The lower outlet is protected by an automatic reset circuit
breaker. The automatic circuit breaker restores power
when the overload is removed. The circuit breaker also
supplies power to the outlet in the removable floor
console, when in the front position. Refer to section 3
“ Removable Floor Console ” in this manual.
NOTE: If desired, all of the power outlets can be
converted by your authorized dealer to provide power
with the ignition switch in the OFF position.Rear Power Outlet176 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
CAUTION!• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw power from
the vehicle ’ s battery, even when not in use (i.e. cellular
phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the
vehicle ’ s battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade
battery life and/or prevent engine starting.
• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers, vacuum
cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the battery even more
quickly. Only use these intermittently and with greater
caution.
• After the use of high power draw accessories, or long
periods of the vehicle not being started (with accessories
still plugged in), the vehicle must be driven a sufficient
length of time to allow the alternator to recharge the
vehicle ’ s battery.
• Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug. Improper use of the power outlet can cause damage. CONVENIENCE TRAY DRAWER AND CUP
HOLDERS
Instrument Panel Cup Holders
The instrument panel cupholders are located in a pull out
drawer just below the climate controls.
Front CupholdersUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 177
3

When the drawer is pulled out firmly, the arms of the
cupholders will spring out. Place the container to be held
into one of the cupholders and then push the arm toward
the container until the container is held stable. There are
adjustable positions for the arm so the cupholder can
accommodate a wide variety of container types and sizes,
including those with handles. The arms of the cupholder
can be adjusted in or out without damaging the detent
mechanism.
NOTE: Be sure the drawer is pulled out completely,
otherwise the adjustable arm detents will not engage and
the container will not be held stable. Convenience Tray And Optional Smoker ’ s
Package Kit
Located between the instrument panel cupholders is a
convenience tray that has been designed to hold miscel-
laneous small items.
NOTE: The convenience tray should never be used for
ashes without the optional ash receiver in place. Perma-
nent burn marks may result.
With the optional dealer installed Smoker ’ s package, a
removable ash receiver is inserted into the convenience
tray location. To install the ash receiver, slide the forward
edge into the convenience tray opening and push down
to lock it into position. For cleaning of the ash receiver, its
removal is accomplished by inserting the end of a key in
the pry slot that is molded into the rear edge of the ash
receiver and then twisting the key slightly.178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE