2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Owners Manual

Child Protection Door Lock
To provide a safer environment for small children riding
in the rear seats, the sliding doors are equipped with a
child protection door lock system.
WARNING!To avoid trapping anyone in the vehicle in a colli-
sion. Remember that the sliding doors can only be
opened from the outside door handle or the switches
located on the trim panel just in front of the power
sliding door when the child protection locks are
engaged.
To activate the system, open the sliding door and move
the child lock control, located near the door ’ s rear latch,
to the ON position. When the child lock system is engaged the door can be
opened only by using the outside door handle, remote
keyless entry transmitter, switches on the overhead con-
sole or the switches located on the trim panel just in front
of the power sliding door, even though the inside door
lock is in the unlocked position. Child Lock ControlTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
2

The power sliding door will operate from the switches
located on the trim panel just in front of the power sliding
door, regardless of the child lock lever position. To avoid
unintentional operation of the power sliding door from
the rear seats, press the button located in the overhead
console to disable the switches for the rear seat passen-
gers.
NOTE:
• The power sliding door switches will not operate if the
vehicle is in gear or the vehicle speed is above 0 mph
(0 km/h).
• The power sliding door will operate from the remote
keyless entry transmitter, if the vehicle is in Park,
regardless of the child lock lever position. LIFTGATE
NOTE: The key that is used to start the vehicle is also
used to lock or unlock the doors and open the liftgate.
To open the liftgate, insert the key into the lock and turn
to the right. On vehicles equipped with power locks the
liftgate can also be unlocked using the remote keyless
entry or by activating the power door lock switches
located on the front doors.
Once unlocked, on vehicles equipped with power locks,
the liftgate can be opened or closed without using the
key. To open the liftgate, depress the liftgate release
switch located on the underside of the license plate bar
and pull the liftgate open with one fluid motion.34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the liftgate is locked and is not equipped with a
powered liftgate, pressing the button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter will result in the liftgate becom-
ing unlocked for 30 seconds allowing you to manually
access the liftgate area. NOTE: On vehicles without power locks, the liftgate can
only be opened using the vehicle keys. The key must be
held in the unlocked position for the liftgate to open.
Power Liftgate — If Equipped
The power liftgate may be opened manually or by using
the button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Press
the button on the remote keyless entry transmitter twice
within five seconds, to open the power liftgate. Once the
liftgate is fully open, pressing the button twice within
five seconds a second time will close the liftgate.Liftgate Release Switch THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2

The power liftgate may also be opened by pressing the
button located on the overhead console.
When the remote keyless entry transmitter button is
pressed and the “ Lamp Flash ” feature is enabled, the tail
lights will flash to signal that the liftgate is opening or
closing. WARNING!During power operation, personal injury or cargo
damage may occur. Ensure the liftgate travel path is
clear. Make sure the liftgate is closed and latched
before driving away.
NOTE:
• If anything obstructs the power liftgate while it is
closing or opening, the liftgate will automatically
reverse to the closed or open position, provided it
meets sufficient resistance.
• There are also pinch sensors attached to the side of the
liftgate opening. Light pressure anywhere along these
strips will cause the liftgate to return to the open
position.Power Liftgate Switch36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The power liftgate must be in the full open or close
positions for any of the buttons to operate. If the
liftgate is not in the full open or close positions it must
be opened or closed manually.
• If the liftgate release button is activated while the
power liftgate is closing, the liftgate will reverse to the
full open position.
• The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the
vehicle is in gear or the vehicle speed is above 0 mph
(0 km/h).
• The power liftgate will not operate in temperatures
below
12 ° F(
24 ° C) or temperatures above 143 ° F
(62 ° C). Be sure to remove any build-up of snow or ice
from the liftgate before pressing any of the power
liftgate buttons. • If the power liftgate encounters multiple obstructions
within the same cycle, the system will automatically
stop and must be opened or closed manually.
WARNING!• Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
• If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2

Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
SEAT STORAGE BIN SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!Always close the storage bin covers when your
vehicle is unattended. Do not allow children to have
access to the 2nd row seat storage bins. Once in the
storage bin, young children may not be able to
escape. If trapped in the storage bin, children can die
from suffocation or heat stroke. Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release
As a security measure, a Storage Bin Cover Emergency
Release strap is built into the storage bin cover latching
mechanism.
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE: In the event of an individual being locked inside
the storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from
inside of the bin by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark strap
attached to the storage bin cover latching mechanism.
Reinstalling Storage Bin Cover Emergency
Release
If the storage bin cover strap disengages from the latch, it
can be reinstalled by inserting the loose end of the strap
into the latch mechanism.
Push the strap into the latch mechanism until it engages
around the latch post.
NOTE: Do not use the storage bin emergency release to
lift the storage bin cover. The strap is intended for
emergency release only. Reinstall Cover StrapTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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WINDOWS
Manual Rear Vent Windows
A lever at the rear of each window releases the window
so that it can be pushed out for ventilation.
Power Vent Windows — If Equipped
Switches on the driver ’ s door trim panel let the driver
operate the two vent windows from the front seat.
Power Vent Window Switches40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE