2007 DODGE CARAVAN engine overheat

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 transmission 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 385
6

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on
you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of
your body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to
a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for chang-
ing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift
the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
•For vehicles equipped with Stow ’n Go seating,
if it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from
under the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close
to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit.
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160
km), and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72
km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
mission geartrain failure. If the transmission is not op-
erative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 100
miles (160 km), the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels off the ground.
408 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 425
7

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.
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure
to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the coolant in the coolant
recovery bottle should be between the ranges indicated
on the bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437
7

Door Ajar Light......................... 213
Door Locks ............................. 27
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 177
Drive Belts ............................ 423
Drive Shaft Universal Joints ................ 431
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................... 326
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System) ...... 259
E-85 Fuel ............................. 360
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 98
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 185
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 164
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 172
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 384
Jacking ........................ 386,387,399
Jump Starting ......................... 405 Overheating
.......................... 385
Emission Control System Maintenance ......417,466
Engine ............................ 414,415
Air Cleaner .......................... 425
Air Cleaner Filter ...................... 424
Block Heater ......................... 315
Break-In Recommendations ................ 88
Checking Oil Level ..................... 420
Compartment ...................... 414,415
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 462
Cooling ............................. 434
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 43,356
Flooded, Starting ...................... 313
Fuel Requirements .................. 353,461
Oil ........................... 420,461,462
Oil Change Interval .................... 421
Oil Disposal .......................... 423
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 422
Oil Filter Disposal ...................... 423
500 INDEX

Oil Selection....................... 421,461
Oil Synthetic ......................... 423
Overheating .......................... 385
Temperature Gauge ..................... 216
Event Data Recorder ...................... 73
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............43,89,356,433
Exhaust System ......................... 433
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 56
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 98
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 424
Air Conditioning .................... 301,429
Automatic Transaxle .................... 445
Engine Oil ........................ 423,462
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 423
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... 384
Turn Signal ..................... 212,458,459 Flat Tire Stowage
........................ 395
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ 363
Engine Oil ........................... 362
Fuel Requirements .................. 360,361
Maintenance .......................... 363
Replacement Parts ..................... 363
Starting ............................. 362
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 313
Fluid Capacities ......................... 461
Fluid Leaks ............................. 90
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................. 444
Brake ............................... 441
Power Steering ........................ 430
Fluids ................................ 462
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 462
Fog Light Service ........................ 459
Fog Lights .......................... 154,459
INDEX 501
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