2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN tow

Rear Temperature And Mode Control
When the center knob on the front climate control unit is
set to the “ REAR ” position, the second seat occupants
have control of the rear temperature and modes as
follows:
• The rear temperature knob controls both the rear
temperature and mode. When the temperature knob is
in the cold position, cold air will be delivered from the
headliner outlets. As the rear temperature knob is
turned towards hot, the air will get warmer, and the
air will be delivered from both the headliner and floor
outlets. When the rear temperature knob reaches the
full hot position, all of the air will be delivered from
the floor outlets.
• When the center knob on the front climate control unit
is set to any position other than “ REAR ” , the rear temperature selection follows the setting of the driv-
er ’ s temperature control on the front climate control
unit. The rear mode selection follows the setting of the
front mode control.
Rear Economy Mode
If rear economy mode is desired, set the center knob on
the front control unit to the “ REAR ” position. Turn the
A/C button OFF and select any mode except “ MIX ” or
“ DEFROST ” .
The rear temperature knob and the rear blower speed can
be adjusted as desired by the second seat occupants.
Automatic Temperature Control — If Equipped
The Infrared Three-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
System automatically maintains the interior comfort level
desired by the driver and all passengers. This is accom-
plished by using two infrared sensors, located in the
center of the instrument panel. The two infrared sensors
independently measure the surface temperature of the284 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............346

Vehicle Loading ........................348
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............348
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......348
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........348
▫ Overloading .........................349
▫ Loading ............................349

Trailer Towing .........................350
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............351 ▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............353
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........353
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............356
▫ Towing Requirements ..................358
▫ Towing Tips .........................362

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 363
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ............................363 STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

Extremely Cold Weather (below
29 ° Cor
20 ° F). To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
WARNING!Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully. WARNING!Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“ NORMAL STARTING ” , “ COLD WEATHER ” or “ HIGH
ALTITUDE ” procedures, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded. STARTING AND OPERATING 305
5

WARNING!Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully. WARNING!Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“ NORMAL STARTING ” procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded. STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

“ R ” Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“ N ” Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“ D ” Overdrive
For most city and highway driving, it provides smoothest
upshifts and downshifts and best fuel economy. When
frequent transmission shifting occurs while using the
“ D ” Overdrive position, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, (i.e. in hilly
terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing
heavy trailers), using the “ 3 ” position will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build-up.
“ 3 ” Drive
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transmis-
sion will operate normally in First, Second and Third while in this range. The “ 3 ” position should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.
NOTE: Using the “ 3 ” range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
“ L ” Low
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
NOTE: The vehicle computer will over ride Overdrive
and “ 3 ” Drive ranges by changing shift points if the
transmission operating temperature exceeds acceptable
limits. This is done to prevent transmission damage due
to overheating.312 STARTING AND OPERATING

added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don ’ t leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle. WARNING!Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving: failure to do so can lead to brake failure, and
an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems lose normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. There will be some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This may be evident314 STARTING AND OPERATING

3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire ’ s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the “ Tire and Loading
Information ” placard and in the “ Vehicle Loading ” sec-
tion of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR ’ s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR ’ s, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the
“ Vehicle Loading ” section of this manual. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “ The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs. ” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “ The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds ” on
your vehicle ’ s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “ XXX ”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE: The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE: For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).326 STARTING AND OPERATING