2007 DODGE CARAVAN towing

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 Readyprompt 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.
Paging
To learn how to page, refer to Working with Automated
Systems. Paging works properly except for pagers of
certain companies which time-out a little too soon to
work properly with the UConnect™ system.
Voice Mail Calling
To learn how to access your voice mail, refer to Working
with Automated Systems. 
Working with Automated Systems
This method is designed to be used in instances where
one generally has to press numbers on the cellular phone
keypad while navigating through an automated tele-
phone system.
You can use your UConnect™ system to access a voice-
mail system or an automated service, such as, paging
service or automated customer service. Some services
require immediate response selection, in some instances,
that may be too quick for use of UConnect™ system.
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using the Rear Park Sense System. Always
check carefully behind your vehicle, and be sure to
check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, ob-
structions, or blind spots before backing up. You are
responsible for the safety of your surroundings and
must continue to pay attention while backing up.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.
•Before using the Rear Park Sense System, it is
strongly recommended that the ball mount and
hitch ball assembly be disconnected from the ve-
hicle when the vehicle is not used for towing.
Failure to do so can result in injury or damage to
vehicles or obstacles because the hitch ball will be
much closer to the obstacle than the rear fascia when
the warning display turns the red LEDs ON. Also,
the sensors could detect the ball mount and hitch
ball assembly, depending on its size and shape,
giving a false indication that an obstacle is behind
the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•To avoid vehicle damage the Rear Park Sense
System should only be used as a parking aid and
is unable to recognize every obstacle, including
small objects. Parking curbs might be temporarily
detected or not detected at all. Obstacles located
above or below the sensors will not be detected
when they are in close proximity to the rear of the
vehicle.
•To avoid vehicle damage the vehicle must be
driven slowly when using the Rear Park Sense
System to be able to stop in time when an obstacle
is detected. It is recommended that the driver look
over his/her shoulder when using the Rear Park
Sense System.
162 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

15. Vehicle Theft Alarm Light — If Equipped This light will flash for approximately 15 sec-
onds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming.
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.
216 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. 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.
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Replacement Parts .....................363
▫ Maintenance .........................363

Vehicle Loading ........................363
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............364
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......364
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........364
▫ Tire Size ............................365
▫ Rim Size ...........................365
▫ Inflation Pressure .....................365
▫ Curb Weight .........................365
▫ Overloading .........................365
▫ Loading ............................366

Trailer Towing .........................367
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............368
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............371
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................372
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............374
▫ Towing Requirements ..................376
▫ Towing Tips .........................381

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 382
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ............................382
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
“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
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
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 lbs. (sinc e 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs.)
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 capaci-
ties of your vehicle with varying seating configurations
and number and size of occupants. This table is for
illustration 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).
334 STARTING AND OPERATING