2008 DODGE CARAVAN air conditioning

mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones........299
mRemote Sound System Controls Ð If Equipped . . 299
NRadio Operation......................299
NCD Player..........................300
mCD/DVD Maintenance...................300
mClimate Controls.......................301
NManual Heating, Ventilation And Air
Conditioning (HVAC) System.............301
NRear Manual Climate Control Zone Ð
If Equipped.........................307
NAutomatic Temperature Control (ATC) Ð
If Equipped.........................309NSummer Operation....................318
NWinter Operation.....................318
NVacation/Storage.....................318
NWindow Fogging.....................318
NOutside Air Intake....................319
NOperating Tips.......................319
NA/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped............320
mElectric Rear Window Defroster Ð
If Equipped...........................320
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Climate Control System allows you to regulate the
temperature, amount, and direction of air circulating
throughout the vehicle. The controls are located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.
MANUAL HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR
CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM
The controls for the manual HVAC system in this vehicle
consist of a series of outer rotary dials inner push knobs.
These comfort controls can be set to obtain desired
interior conditions.
Manual HVAC Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301
4

Front Blower Control
There are four blower speeds. Use this
control to regulate the amount of air
forced through the system in any
mode you select. The blower speed
increases as you move the control
clockwise from the off position.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. Rotate the knob coun-
terclockwise from top center into the
blue area of the scale indicates cooler
temperatures while rotating the knob
clockwise into the red area indicates
warmer temperatures.NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser (located in front of the radiator), for an accumu-
lation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
Mode Control (Air Direction)
Mode control allows you to choose
from several patterns of air distribu-
tion. You can select either a primary
mode, as identified by the symbols, or
a blend of two of these modes. The
closer the control is to a particular
mode, the more air distribution you
receive from that mode.
302 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

PANEL Mode
Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument
panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct airflow.
BI-LEVEL Mode
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
NOTE:There is a difference in temperature (in any
conditions other than full cold or full hot), between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
FLOOR Mode
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount through the defrost and side window
demist outlets.
MIX Mode
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at
the windshield. This setting is good for maintaining
comfort while reducing moisture on the windshield.
DEFROST Mode
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use DEFROST mode with
maximum blower and temperature settings for best
windshield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
MIX and DEFROST, or a blend of these modes even if the
A/C SNOWFLAKE button is not pressed. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 303
4

ECONOMY Mode
If ECONOMY mode is desired, press the A/C button to
turn off the indicator light and the A/C compressor.
Rotate the temperature control knob to the desired tem-
perature.
Air Conditioning Operation
Push on this button to engage
the Air Conditioning. A light
will illuminate when the A/C
System is engagedNOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
MAX A/C
For maximum cooling use the A/C and RECIRCULA-
TION mode buttons at the same time.
Three Zone Basic Temperature Control Ð If
Equipped
With the Three Zone Basic Temperature Control System,
each front seat occupant can independently control the
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) op-
erations coming from the outlets on their side of the
vehicle.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 305
4

The Three Zone Basic Temperature Control bottom panel
controls rear Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
(HVAC) operations.
Three Zone Temperature Control
1 Ð Left Temp 7 Ð Right Temp
2 Ð PANEL 8 Ð Rear DEFROST
3 Ð BI-LEVEL 9 Ð RECIRCULATE
4 Ð BLOWER 10 Ð Front DEFROST
5 Ð FLOOR 11 Ð A/C
6 Ð MIX
Front Lower Three Zone Temperature Control Features
1 Ð Left Heated Seat 3 Ð Rear Temp
2 Ð Rear Blower 4 Ð Right Heated Seat 306 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The SNOWFLAKE mode or A/C button allows
the operator to manually activate or deactivate the
air conditioning system. When in SNOWFLAKE
mode the ATC display is on, cool, dehumidified air flows
through the air outlets. If ECONOMY mode is desired,
press the SNOWFLAKE button to turn off the SNOW-
FLAKE mode in the ATC display and deactivate the A/C
system. Note: If fog or mist appears on the windshield or
side glass, select DEFROST mode and increase blower
speed.
RECIRCULATION Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired,
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the RECIRCULATION mode control
button. RECIRCULATION mode should only be used
temporarily. The recirculation symbol will illuminate in
the display when this button is selected. Push the buttona second time to turn off the RECIRCULATION mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of the RECIRCULATION
mode may lead to excessive window fogging. The RE-
CIRCULATION mode is not allowed in the FLOOR, MIX
and DEFROST modes to improve window clearing op-
eration. Recirculation will be disabled automatically if
these modes are selected. Recirculation will be disabled
automatically if these modes are selected.
Rear Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Ð If
Equipped
The Rear ATC System has floor air outlets at the rear of
the right side sliding door and overhead outlets at each
outboard rear seating positions. The system provides
heated air through the floor outlets or cool, dehumidified
air through the headliner outlets.
314 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

HEADLINER Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vanes of the outlets to one
side will shut off the airflow.
SUMMER OPERATION
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, ªMaintenance Proceduresº, of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
WINTER OPERATION
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to section 7,ªMaintenance Proceduresº, of this manual for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air RECIRCULATION mode
during winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
VACATION/STORAGE
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
WINDOW FOGGING
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy
or humid weather. To clear the windows, select DE-
FROST or MIX mode and increase the front blower
speed. Do not use the RECIRCULATION mode without
A/C for long periods, as fogging may occur.
318 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL