2007 DODGE CARAVAN heating

Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the gear shift lever is in the PARK position. When
parking on a hill you should apply the parking brake
before placing the gear shift lever in PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the selector out of PARK.WARNING!
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave an automatic
transmission in Park, a manual transmission in
Reverse or first gear. Failure to do so may allow
the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
•NEVER leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for
a number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys
in the ignition. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake
problems due to excessive heating of the rear
brakes.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING

•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.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE: Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5

Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

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!
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

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

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
10