2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT PANELS AND CONTROLS
1 - Air Vents 6 - Upper Glove Compartment 11 - Storage Bin 16 - Head Light Switch
2 - Instrument Cluster 7 - Lower Glove Compartment 12 - Power Supply 12V 17 - Power Inverter Switch
3 - Gear Selector Lever 8 - Climate Controls 13 - Hazard Switch
4 - Radio 9 - Storage or DVD 14 - Ignition Switch
5 - Storage Bin 10 - Cup Holders 15 - Dimmer SwitchUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 223
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BASE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
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PREMIUM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
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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. Fuel Door Reminder
The arrow in this symbol is a reminder that the
Fuel Filler Door is located on the left side of the
vehicle.
3. 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
ªHª, 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 ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately, and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.
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WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer if
your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under
the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual.
Follow the warnings under the Cooling System Pres-
sure Cap paragraph.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, acontinuous chime will sound to alert you to turn the
signals off. If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check
for a defective outside light bulb.
6. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
7. Anti-Lock Brake System Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
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If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
8. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system (if equipped).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
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Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.9.Tachometer Ð Premium Instrument Cluster Only
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
10. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.
NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
Park.
11. Odometer/Trip Odometer Ð If Equipped
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
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replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press the Trip
Odometer button.
To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).
12. PRNDL/Odometer Display Area
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
CHAngE OIL............... OilChange Required
CRUISE.....................Cruise Control On
door.............................Door Ajar
ESPOFF............................ ESPOffgATE..........................Lift Gate Ajar
gASCAP.......................Fuel Cap Fault
hood*............................Hood Ajar
noFUSE..........................Fuse Fault
LoCOOL........................ LowCoolant
LoWASH.................... LowWasher Fluid
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an hood switch,
in the case of hood ajar, a warning message will be
displayed in either the PRNDL/Odometer display as
ªhoodº or ªHood Ajarº in the EVIC display.
NOTE:Some of the above warnings will be displayed in
the Compass Mini-Trip Computer / Electronic Vehicle
Information Center Display Area under the Speedometer.
CHAngE OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªChange Oilº message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
230 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL