2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using the Rear Park Assist System. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, and be sure to check
for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions,
or blind spots before backing up. You are responsible
for the safety of your surroundings and must con-
tinue to pay attention while backing up. Failure to do
so can result in serious injury or death.
Before using the Rear Park Assist System, it is
strongly recommended that the ball mount and hitch
ball assembly be disconnected from the vehicle 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 dis-
play turns the red LEDs on. Also, the sensors could
detect the ball mount and hitch ball assembly, de-
pending on its size and shape, giving a false indica-
tion that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
CAUTION!
²To avoid vehicle damage the Rear Park Assist
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.
²To avoid vehicle damage the vehicle must be
driven slowly when using the Rear Park Assist
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
Assist System.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
3

NOTE:
²Ensure that the rear bumper is free of dirt and debris
to keep the system operating properly.
²Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of the system.
Enabling and Disassembling The Rear Park Assist
System
There are times when you may want to disable the Rear
Park Assist System, such as when towing a trailer.
NOTE:The manufacturer suggests disabling the Rear
Park Assist System when towing a trailer. Refer to the
following procedures.
Vehicles Equipped With the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)
You can turn the Rear Park Assist System on or off
through the EVIC. For details, refer to ªPersonal Settings(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElectronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual.
Vehicles Equipped With the Compass Mini-Trip
Computer (CMTC)
You can turn the Rear Park Assist System ON or OFF
through the CMTC by pressing the left reset button in the
instrument cluster. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, then press and hold the rest button for approxi-
mately two seconds.
Service The Rear Park Assist System
If the Rear Park Assist System malfunctions, the instru-
ment cluster will actuate a single chime, once per ignition
cycle, and it will display the(SERVICE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM(message. Refer to ªCompass Mini Trip Com-
puter (CMTC) or ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º Ð as equipped, in Section 4 of this manual.
176 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If(SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM(appears in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), after mak-
ing sure the rear bumper is clean, please see your
authorized dealer.
Should this wrench symbol display with the
letterPnext to it, your Park Sense System
needs servicing. Contact your authorized
dealer.
Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System
Clean the Rear Park Assist Sensors with water, car wash
soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do
not scratch or poke the sensors, otherwise, you could
damage the sensors.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals to
move toward or away from the driver to provide improved
position with the steering wheel. The adjustable pedal
system is designed to allow a greater range of driver comfort
for steering wheel tilt and seat positions. The switch is
located on the left side of the steering column.
Adjustable Pedal Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 177
3

Press the button forward to move the pedals forward
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Press the button rearward to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
²The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
²The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
²The pedalscannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in
REVERSE or when the Electronic Speed Control Sys-
tem is ON. The following messages will be displayed
on vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle In-
formation System (EVIC) if the pedals are attempted to
be adjusted when the system is locked out (ªAdjust-
able Pedal Disabled Ð Cruise Control Engagedº or
ªAdjustable Pedal Disabled Ð Vehicle In Reverseº).
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal's path.
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
Activating Electronic Speed Control
Push theON/OFFbutton (located in the end of the lever)
once and theCRUISEindicator light (located in the
message window of the odometer) will illuminate show-
ing the electronic speed control system is on. To turn the
system OFF, push theON/OFFbutton again and the
system and indicator will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidently
SET the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren't using it.
Electronic Speed Control Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179
3

Setting Electronic Speed Control at a Desired
Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
theSETlever downward and then release. Lift your foot
off the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the
selected speed.
Deactivating Electronic Speed Control
A soft tap on the brake pedal or pulling the lever
CANCELtoward you, will deactivate the speed control
without erasing the set speed memory. Pushing the
ON/OFFbutton to theOFFposition or turning OFF the
ignition erases the set speed memory.
Resuming Speed
To resume a previously set speed, raise the lever
RESUME/ACCELupwards and release. Resume can be
used at any speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
Varying The Speed Setting
When the speed control is SET, speed can be increased by
raising and holding theRESUME/ACCELlever up-
wards. When released, a new set speed will be estab-
lished.
Raising the leverRESUME/ACCELupwards once will
result in a 1 mph (1 km/h) speed increase. Each time the
lever is tapped upwards, speed increases so that tapping
the lever three times will increase speed by 3 mph (5
km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is SET, press the
leverSET/DECELdownward and hold. Release the lever
when the desired speed is reached, and the new speed
will be SET.
Tapping the leverSET/DECELdownward once will
result in a 1 mph (1 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the
lever is tapped downward, speed decreases.
180 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system has been
designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
functions are operated simultaneously in order to ensure
proper operation. If this occurs, the system can be
reactivated by pushing the speed control switch ON/
OFF button and resetting the desired vehicle SET speed.
Accelerating To Pass
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
Your vehicle may experience a downshift (automatic
transmissions only) while climbing uphill or descending
downhill. This downshift is necessary to maintain vehicle
set speed.On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
3

OVERHEAD CONSOLES
Front Overhead Console Ð If Equipped
Two versions of the overhead console are available. The
base front overhead console models feature fixed incan-
descent courtesy/reading lights, flip-down sunglass stor-
age and conversation mirror.
Premium front overhead console models feature an LED
focused light that illuminates the instrument panel cup
holders, Infrared Automatic Temperature Control Sensor
(ATC equipped only), two swiveling LED lights, flip-
down sunglass storage, conversation mirror, optional
power sliding door switches and an optional power
liftgate switch.
Front Premium Overhead Console Features
1 - Cupholder LED 4 - Storage/Mirror
2 - ATC Sensor 5 - Switch Bank
3 - Interior Lights 182 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE