2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

Below the automatic control, the system selects the
appropriate mode (airflow outlets) and fan speed.Operation of the system is quite simple.
1. Press the AUTO button and the word AUTO will
illuminate in the front ATC display, along with three
temperatures for Driver's, Passenger, and Rear seats. The
system will then automatically regulate the amount of
airflow.
2. Next, adjust the temperature you would like the
system to maintain by adjusting the driver's, passenger,
and rear seat rotary temperature knobs. Once the desired
temperature is displayed, the system will achieve and
automatically maintain that comfort level.
3. When the system is set up for your comfort level, it is
not necessary to change the settings. You will experience
the greatest efficiency by simply allowing the system to
function automatically.
Front Lower ATC Panel
1 - Blower 4 - Rear HVAC Lock
2 - Rear On/Off 5 - Rear DEFROST
3 - Rear ModeUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 311
4

NOTE:
²It is not necessary to move the temperature settings for
cold or hot vehicles. The system automatically adjusts
the temperature, mode and fan speed to provide
comfort as quickly as possible.
²The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric by
selecting the US/M customer programmable feature.
Refer to the ªCustomer Programmable Featuresº in
Section 3 of this manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the automatic
mode, during cold start-ups, the blower fan will remain
on low and the DELAY symbol will appear in the front
ATC display until the engine warms up. The fan will
engage immediately if the DEFROST mode is selected or
by rotating the blower control to any fixed blower speed.
Manual Operation
This system offers a full complement of manual override
features. The AUTO symbol in the front ATC display will
be turned off when the system is being used in the
manual mode.
NOTE:Each of these features operate independently
from each other. If any one feature is controlled manually,
the remaining features will continue to operate automati-
cally.
The left blower control knob can be set to any fixed
blower speed by pressing the upper front blower rocker
button. The fan will now operate at a fixed speed until
additional speeds are selected. This allows the front
occupants to control the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle and cancel the AUTO mode.
The operator can also select the direction of the selecting
one of the following positions.
312 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

PANEL Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument panel.
Each of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. Moving the air vanes of the center
outlets down, will close off the airflow from the center
outlets. The thumbwheel next to the outboard outlets can
be rotated to regulate or shut off the airflow from these
outlets.
BI-LEVEL Mode
Air comes from both the instrument panel outlets,
floor outlets and defrost. A slight amount of air is
also directed through the side window demister outlets.
NOTE:In many temperature positions, the BI-LEVEL
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the panel
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.FLOOR Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount of
air is directed through the defrost and side window
demister outlets.
MIX Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demist outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions. It allows you to stay comfortable
while keeping the windshield clear.
DEFROST Mode
Air comes from the windshield and side window
demist outlets. Use DEFROST mode with maxi-
mum blower and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:While operating in the other modes, the system
will not automatically sense the presence of fog, mist or
ice on the windshield. DEFROST mode must be manually
selected to clear the windshield and side glass.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 313
4

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

The REAR SYSTEM control for the Rear ATC System is
on the front ATC control unit located on the instrument
panel.
Pressing the REAR LOCK button for the Rear ATC
System from the front ATC control unit, illuminates a
LOCK symbol in the rear display. The rear temperature
and air source are controlled from the front ATC control
unit.
Rear second row occupants can only adjust the rear ATC
control when the REAR LOCK button is turned off.
The Rear ATC System is located in the headliner near the
center of the vehicle.
Rear ATC Control Features
1 - Blower 3 - Rear Lock
2 - Temperature 4 - MODEUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 315
4

Operation of the rear system is quite simple.
1. Press the REAR LOCK button on the front ATC control
unit. This turns off the REAR LOCK icon in the rear
temperature knob.
2. Rotate the Rear Blower, Rear Temperature and the
Rear Mode Control knobs to suit your comfort needs.
3. ATC is selected by adjusting the rear blower knob
counterclockwise to AUTO.
Once the desired temperature is displayed, the ATC
System will automatically achieve and maintain that
comfort level. When the system is set up for your comfort
level, it is not necessary to change the settings. You will
experience the greatest efficiency by simply allowing the
system to function automatically.NOTE:
²It is not necessary to move the temperature settings for
cold or hot vehicles. The system automatically adjusts
the temperature, mode and fan speed to provide
comfort as quickly as possible.
²The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric by
selecting the US/M customer programmable feature.
Refer to ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION
CENTER (EVIC) Ð IF EQUIPPED, Personal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features) in Section 4 of this
manual.
Rear Blower Control
The rear blower control knob can be manually set to off
or any fixed blower speed by rotating the knob from low
to high. This allows the rear seat occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
316 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Rear Automatic Temperature
Control System through an intake grille located in
the passenger side trim panel behind the third seat.
The heater outlets are located in the passenger side
trim panel just behind the sliding door. Do not block
or place objects directly in front of the inlet grille or
heater outlets. The electrical system could overload
causing damage to the blower motor.
Rear Temperature Control
To change the temperature in the rear of the vehicle,
rotate the temperature knob counterclockwise to lower
the temperature and clockwise to increase the tempera-
ture. The REAR temperature settings are displayed in the
front ATC control.When rear controls are locked by the front system, the
LOCK symbol on the temperature knob is illuminated
and any rear overhead adjustments are ignored.
Rear Mode Control
AUTO Mode
The rear system automatically maintains the correct
mode and comfort level desired by the rear seat occu-
pants.
FLOOR Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets.
BI-LEVEL Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE:In many temperature positions, the BI-LEVEL
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 317
4

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