2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN spare tire

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
NOTE: The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver ’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible chime will
be activated when one or more tire pressures is low. The
TPMS Telltale Lamp will flash on and off for 60 seconds UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211
4

Power Steering ........................325

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............326
 Acceleration .........................326
 Traction ............................327

Tire Safety Information ...................327
 Tire Markings ........................327
 Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........330
 Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........332

Tires — General Information ...............336
 Tire Pressure .........................336
 Tire Inflation Pressures .................337
 Radial-Ply Tires ......................339
 Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........340  Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........341
 Tire Spinning ........................341
 Tread Wear Indicators ..................342
 Life Of Tire .........................343
 Replacement Tires .....................343
 Alignment And Balance .................344

Tire Chains ...........................345

Snow Tires ...........................346

Tire Rotation ..........................346

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) — If
Equipped ............................347
 Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System Without
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped ...........................348308 STARTING AND OPERATING

 Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings ...........................349
 Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System With
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped ...........................349
 Service Tire System Soon ................351
 Using Your Compact Spare — Basic Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Only ................352
 General Information ...................353

Fuel Requirements ......................353
 Reformulated Gasoline .................354
 Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............354
 MMT In Gasoline .....................355
 Materials Added To Fuel ................355  Fuel System Cautions ..................356
 Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............356

Adding Fuel ..........................357
 Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............357
 Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............359

Flexible Fuel — Fleet Vehicles Only ..........360
 E-85 General Information ................360
 Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................361
 Fuel Requirements ....................361
 Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............362
 Starting ............................362
 Cruising Range .......................363 STARTING AND OPERATING 309
5

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

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity. WARNING!Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited
tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.340 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity. WARNING!The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure
to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h).
Refer to the paragraph on “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in
Section 6 of this manual. STARTING AND OPERATING 341
5

Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains, or other traction aids that meet
SAE type “Class S” specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer.
NOTE: Do not use tire chains on a compact spare tire. CAUTION! To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions: