2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Owners Manual

If your vehicle is equipped with Infrared Three-Zone
Automatic Temperature Control the rear defroster sym-
bol will show in the display screen when the rear
window defroster is on.
CAUTION!To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 305
4

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................311
 Automatic Transmission ................312
 Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C) ........312
 Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below

20°F / –29°C) .......................312
 High Altitude Starting
(Above 4,000 Ft ./1219m) ..............312
 If Engine Fails To Start .................313
 After Starting ........................314

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........315
Automatic Transmission ..................315
 Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......316
 Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System .............................316
 Four Speed Automatic Transmission ........316

Parking Brake .........................319

Brake System ..........................321
 Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .....321

Traction Control — If Equipped ............324
5

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

 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) ............................382310 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C)
1. Do not depress the accelerator.
2. Turn and hold the ignition key in the START position
and release when engine starts.
3. If engine does not start after 3 seconds, depress the
accelerator lightly (while still cranking the engine).
4. If engine does not start after 15 seconds, turn the
ignition key off.
5. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat step s1—5.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P). Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below
20°F /
–29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting (Above 4,000 ft. / 1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.312 STARTING AND OPERATING