2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN overheating

8. Return to the vehicle and firmly press, hold for two
seconds and release the programmed HomeLink button.
Repeat the  press/hold/release  sequence a second time,
and, depending on the brand of the garage door opener
(or other rolling code equipped device), repeat this
sequence a third time to complete the programming.
HomeLink should now activate your rolling code
equipped device.
NOTE: To program the remaining two HomeLink but-
tons, begin with  Programming  step two. Do not repeat
step one . For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink at www.homelink.com or 1-800-355-3515 .
Canadian Programming/Gate Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter sig-
nals to  time-out  (or quit) after several seconds of
transmission which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during programming. Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to  time-out  in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having difficulties
programming a gate operator by using the  Program-
ming  procedures (regardless of where you live), replace
 Programming HomeLink  step 3 with the following:
NOTE: If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device during the
 cycling  process to prevent possible overheating.
3. Continue to press and hold the HomeLink button
while you press and release every two seconds (  cycle  )
your hand-held transmitter until the frequency signal has
successfully been accepted by HomeLink. (The indicator
light will flash slowly and then rapidly.) Proceed with
 Programming  step four to complete. UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
3

This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
“ rock ” the vehicle free.
23. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined. The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press the Trip
Odometer button.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster
odometer. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press
the odometer reset button to turn the GASCAP message
off. If the problem continues, the message will appear the
next time the vehicle is started. See Section 7 of this
manual for more information.
24. Cruise Indicator
This display indicator shows that the Speed Control
System is ON. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211
4

Rear Mode Control
The Rear Mode Control, located in
the headliner near the center of
the vehicle can be used to select
between Auto, Headliner, Bi-
Level and Floor modes.
Auto Mode
The rear system automatically maintains the correct
mode and comfort level desired by the rear seat occu-
pants.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE: In many temperature positions, the bi-level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Headliner Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vane knob on the outlets to
one side will shut off the air flow.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene294 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

“ 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

The system is always in the “ stand by ” mode unless,
• The Traction Control Switch has been used to turn the
system OFF
• There is a Traction Control System malfunction • The system has been deactivated to prevent damage to
the brake system due to overheated brake tempera-
tures
NOTE: The Traction Control will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.
NOTE: Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the TRAC and
the OFF indicators located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the TRAC and
the OFF indicators.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System OFF before attempting to
“ rock ” the vehicle free.Traction Control Switch STARTING AND OPERATING 319
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 the vehicle 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