2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15±
second intervals of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNormal Startingº procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the
electrical cord to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver's side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap
that is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the electrical cord before
driving. Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord
could cause electrocution.
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5

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift the gear selector lever into PARK only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
²Do not shift the gear selector lever from RE-
VERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward
gear when the engine is above idle speed.
²Before shifting the gear selector lever into any
gear, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake
pedal.
NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system holds the shift lever in the PARK position
when the ignition switch is in the LOCK position. It also
prevents you, once the engine is started, from moving the
gear selector lever out of PARK and into any gear unless
the brake pedal is pressed. This system is active only
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while the ignition switch is in the ON position. Always
press the brake pedal first before moving the gear selec-
tor lever out of PARK.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
For electrical system malfunctions, there is an override
for the interlock system. In order to override this system,
remove the cover located to the top right of the gear
selector lever in the instrument panel. The override can
be activated by pressing the white-colored tab, which can
be accessed through the hole in the instrument panel.
While the override is pressed, the gear selector lever can
be moved out of the PARK position without pressing the
brake pedal. After operation, return the cover to its
original position.
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the gear selector lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting
the gear selector lever out of PARK unless the key is in
the LOCK/OFF or ON positions.NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four-Speed or Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
The transmission has only PRND shift positions. Down-
shifts are carried out by an Electronic Range Select (ERS)
by moving the leverÐ/+while in the DRIVE position,
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5

the instrument cluster will display transmission gear
selection as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for six-speed and 4, 3, 2, 1 for
four-speed transmissions.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting the gear selector
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL positions into another
gear range.
PARK
Shifting the gear selector lever in PARK supplements the
parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine
can be started in this gear. Never attempt to use PARK
while vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle in this gear.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As
an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
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WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the gear selector lever into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking brake.
Once the key is removed from the ignition, the
transmission gear selector lever is locked in the
PARK position, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement. Furthermore, you should never
leave unattended children or pets inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission gear selector lever
into the PARK position:
²When shifting the gear selector lever into PARK,
depress the button on the gear selector lever and
firmly move the lever all the way forward until it
stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure gear selector lever is in the PARK position.
²When engaged in PARK, you will not be able to move
the gear selector lever rearward without depressing
the gear selector lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the gear selector lever out of PARK,
you must turn the ignition from LOCK/OFF to ON so
the steering wheel and gear selector lever are re-
leased. Otherwise, damage to the steering column or
gear selector lever could result.
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5

REVERSE
Use REVERSE for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift the gear selector lever into this gear only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop. The engine may be
started in this range.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
DRIVE Ð Six-Speed Transmission
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, use the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) mode by moving the leverÐ/+and
select the ª5º range when frequent transmission shifting
occurs while using the DRIVE range, such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions,
(i.e., in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or
while towing heavy trailers). Under these conditions,
using the ª5º range will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat build-up.
DRIVE Ð Four-Speed Transmission
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, select the ª3º range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs while using
the DRIVE range, such as when operating the vehicle
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

under heavy loading conditions, (i.e., in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds or while towing heavy
trailers). Under these conditions, using the ª3º range will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat build-up.
CAUTION!
If the transmission operating temperature exceeds
acceptable limits, the vehicle computer will override
DRIVE and select ª5º range (on six-speed transmis-
sions) or ª3º range (on four-speed transmissions) by
changing shift points. This is done to prevent trans-
mission damage due to overheating.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to move the gear selector lever to the left (-) or right
(+) when the gear selector lever is in the D (Drive)position, this allows the selection of the desired top gear.
For example, if the driver shifts the transmission into 3rd
gear, the transmission will never shift above 3rd gear, but
can shift down to 2nd or 1st gear automatically, when
needed.
Switching from ERS to D-Mode (Drive) can be done at any
vehicle speed. To shift from ªDriveº mode to ªERSº mode,
move gear selector lever to the left (-) once. The current gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the gear selector lever to the right (+) until
ªDº is displayed in the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid causing an accident or
personal injury.
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5

Odometer
Screen Display1234 5 6D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed ÐSix-
Speed Trans-
mission1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed
ÐFour-Speed
Transmission1 1-2 1-3 1-4 N/A N/A 1±4
NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
gear selector lever to the left (-). The transmission will
shift to the range from which the vehicle can best be
slowed down.Reset Mode - Electronic Transmission
The transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transmission automatically shifts into 2nd
gear (3rd gear for six-speed). The transmission remains in
2nd gear (3rd gear for six-speed) despite the forward gear
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Restart the engine.
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