2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN towing

If the phone is not reachable and the UConnect ™ system
is operational, you may reach the emergency number as
follows:
• Press the ’ Phone ’ button to begin.
• After the  Ready  prompt and the following beep, say
 Emergency  and the UConnect ™ system will instruct
the paired cellular phone to call the emergency num-
ber. This feature is only supported in the USA.
NOTE: The emergency number dialed is based on the
Country where the vehicle is purchased (911 for USA and
Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may not
be applicable with the available cellular service and area.
The UConnect ™ system does slightly lower your chances
of successfully making a phone call as to that for the cell
phone directly.
Your phone must be turned on and paired to the UCon-
nect ™ system to allow use of this vehicle feature in emergency situations when the cell phone has network
coverage and stays paired to the UConnect ™ system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance,
• Press the ’ Phone ’ button to begin.
• After the  Ready  prompt and the following beep, say
 Towing Assistance. 
NOTE: The Towing Assistance number dialed is based
on the Country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-
528-2069 for USA, 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-3454
for Mexico city and 1-800-712-3040 for outside Mexico
city in Mexico).
Please refer to the 24-Hour “ Towing Assistance ” cover-
age details in the Warranty information booklet and on
the 24 – Hour Towing Assistance Card.106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

continuously. Refer to  Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Re-
minder System (BeltAlert ™ )  in the Occupant Restraints
section for more information.
14. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a continuous
chime will sound for 4 minutes. After the chime
turns off, the engine will still be critically hot until the
light turns off.
15. Vehicle Theft Alarm Light — If Equipped
This light will flash for approximately 15 sec-
onds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming.
(See page 26 for more information.)
16. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!Driving with a hot engine 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 ” , and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

21. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 399
for more information.) 22. Trac Off Indicator — If Equipped
This display indicator should illuminate for approxi-
mately four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.
The “ TRAC OFF ” Indicator will flash if the traction
control is in use.
The “ TRAC OFF ” Indicator will illuminate if:
• 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 tem-
peratures.
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.210 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

“ 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

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

A loaded vehicle is shown in the illustration. Note that
neither the GVWR or the GAWR capacities have been
exceeded. Example Only Front
Axle Rear Axle
Empty Weight 2140 lbs 1470 lbs
Load (Including driver, pass-
sengers and cargo) 360 lbs 980 lbs
Total 2500 lbs 2450 lbs
GAWR 2544 lbs 2544 lbs
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.350 STARTING AND OPERATING