2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains, or other traction aids that meet
SAE type ªClass Sº specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer.
NOTE:Do not use tire chains on a compact spare tire.CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the following
precautions:
²Because of restricted chain clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important that only chains in
good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of
the chain before further use.
²Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h).
²Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps,
especially with a loaded vehicle.
²Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about oneÐhalf mile (0.8 km).
²Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement.
²Observe the tire chain manufacturer's instructions on the
method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for
use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the
chain manufacturer if different from the speed recom-
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Always use the lower suggested operating speed if both
the chain manufacturer and vehicle manufacture suggest
a maximum speed. This notice applies to all chain
traction devices, including link and cable (radial) chains.
SNOW TIRES
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during Winter. Standard tires are of the all-season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire sidewall.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h).
TIRE ROTATION
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates, and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on All-Season type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain
mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a
smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving found in the ªMaintenance Schedulesº
section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis-
sible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per-
formed.
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The suggested rotation method is the ªforward-crossº
shown in the following diagram.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS)
The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure
based on the cold inflation tire pressure requirements
found on the tire placard located on the driver's-side
B-pillar.
The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about 1
psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12ÉF (6.5ÉC). This means that when
the outside temperature decreases, the tire pressure willdecrease. Tire pressure should always be set based on
cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as the tire
pressure after a vehicle has not been driven for more than
three hours - and in outside ambient temperature.Refer
to the ªTires ± General Informationº in this section for
information on how to properly inflate the vehicle's
tires.The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is
driven - this is normal and there should be no adjustment
for this increased pressure.
The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if
the tire pressure falls below the low pressure warning
threshold for any reason, including low temperature
effects, or natural air pressure loss through the tire.
The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not turn
off until the tire pressure is at or above recommended
cold tire placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure
warning has been illuminated, the tire pressure must be
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increased to the recommended cold tire placard pressure
in order for the TPMS warning lamp to be turned off. The
system will automatically update and the TPMS warning
lamp will extinguish once the updated tire pressures
have been received. The vehicle may need to be driven
for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive
this information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recommended
cold (parked for more than three hours) tire pressure of
35 psi (241 kPa). If the ambient temperature is 68ÉF (20ÉC)
and the measured tire pressure is 30 psi (207 kPa), a
temperature drop to 20ÉF (-7ÉC) will decrease the tire
pressure to approximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This tire
pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn on the TPMS
Warning Light. Driving the vehicle may cause the tire
pressure to rise to approximately 30 psi (207 kPa), but the
TPMS Warning Light will still be on. In this situation, theTPMS Warning Light will turn off only after the tires
have been inflated to the vehicle's recommended cold tire
pressure value.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement equip-
ment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style.
Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not
use aftermarket sealants or balance beads if your
vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the
sensors may result.
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CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always
reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent mois-
ture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which
could damage the TPMS SENSOR.
NOTE:
²The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
²The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
²Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
²The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, using an accurate tire pressure
gage, even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS Warning Lamp.
NOTE:Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire
pressure, and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire
pressure in the tire.
BASIC TPMS WITHOUT EVIC Ð IF EQUIPPED
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain
the proper pressure.
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The Basic TPMS consists of the following components:
²Receiver Module
²Four Wheel Sensors
²TPMS Telltale Warning Light
The TPMS Telltale Warning Light will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible
chime will be activated when one or more of
the four active road tire pressures are low.
Should this occur, you should stop as soon as possible,
check the inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle,
and inflate each tire to the vehicle's recommended cold
tire pressure value (located on the placard on the
driver's-side B-Pillar). The system will automatically
update and the TPMS Warning Lamp will extinguish
once the updated tire pressures have been received.
NOTE:
The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10
minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this information.
The TPMS Warning Lamp will flash on and off for 75
seconds, and remain on sold when a system fault is
detected. The system fault will also sound a chime. If the
ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat, provid-
ing the system fault still exists. The TPMS Warning Lamp
will turn off when the fault condition no longer exists. A
system fault can occur with any of the following sce-
narios:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the TPMS
sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals.
3. Accumulation of excessive snow and/or ice around
the wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
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NOTE:
1. The compact spare tire (if equipped) does not have a
TPMS sensor. Therefore the TPMS will not monitor the
pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will turn on.
3. After driving for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25
km/h), the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will flash on
and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will remain
on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare
tire, the TPMS will automatically update, and the TPMSTelltale Warning Light will turn off as long as no tire
pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit in any
of the four active road tires. The vehicle may need to be
driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) for
the TPMS to receive this information.
PREMIUM TPMS WITH EVIC Ð IF EQUIPPED
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim-
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important to regularly check
and maintain proper tire pressure in all the tires.
The Premium TPMS consists of the following compo-
nents:
²Receiver Module
²Four TPMS Sensors
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²Three Trigger Modules (mounted in three of the four
wheel wells)
²Various TPMS Messages, which display in the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), and graph-
ics displaying tire pressures
²Yellow TPMS Telltale Warning Light
TPMS Low Pressure Warnings
The TPMS Telltale Warning Light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster, and an audible chime will be acti-
vated when one or more of the four active road tire
pressures are low. In addition, the EVIC will display one
or more Low Pressure messages (Left Front, Left Rear,
Right Front, Right Rear) for three seconds, and a graphic
display of the pressure value(s) with the low tire(s)
flashing.
Low Tire Pressure Display
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