2008 DODGE CARAVAN fuel

Maintenance
If you operate the vehicle using E-85 fuel, follow the
maintenance schedule section of this manual.
CAUTION!
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in your
vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold starting and
may affect driveability.
VEHICLE LOADING
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration Regulations, your vehicle has a certification
label affixed to the driver's side door or pillar.If seats are removed for carrying cargo, do not exceed the
specified GVWR and GAWR.Vehicle Certification Label Location
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires
must be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to ensure that
it is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle's
GVWR.
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
²Check the automatic transmission fluid level before
towing.
²The six-speed automatic transmission is sealed and
requires an authorized dealer service center to check
the transmission fluid.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
²
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
²When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
²Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
gear selector lever in NEUTRAL but do not increase
engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
²Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
For vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, the
Winch Mechanism is designed specifically to stow a
COMPACT Spare Tire ONLY. Do not attempt to use
the Winch to stow the Full Size 'Flat' Tire, or any
other Full Size Tire. Vehicle damage may result.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE
WARNING!
²DO NOT attempt to push or tow the vehicle to get it started. Vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission cannot be started this way.
Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
²If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain
a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; DO NOT allow battery fluid to
contact eyes, skin or clothing. Don't lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in the eyes
or on the skin, flush the contaminated area immediately with large
quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep
all flames or sparks away from the vent holes. DO NOT use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output that exceeds 12 volts.
²During cold weather when temperatures are below freezing point, electro-
lyte in a discharged battery may freeze. DO NOT attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The battery temperature must
be brought up above freezing point before attempting jump-start.
²Take special care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is
raised. The cooling fan is electrically operated and can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be hurt by the fan.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 425
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.3L Engine Compartment................434
m3.8L Engine Compartment................435
m4.0L Engine Compartment................436
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........437
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message Ð gASCAP . . . 438
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................438
mReplacement Parts......................440
mAuthorized Dealer Service................440mMaintenance Procedures..................441
NEngine Oil..........................441
NEngine Oil Filter......................444
NDrive Belt...........................445
NSpark Plugs.........................445
NEngine Air Cleaner....................445
NCatalytic Converter....................446
NMaintenance-Free Battery................448
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............450
7

NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............452
NFront Suspension Ð Ball Joints............453
NSteering Shaft Seal....................453
NDrive Shaft Universal Joints..............454
NBody Lubrication.....................454
NWindshield Wiper Blades................454
NCooling System.......................456
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......461
NFuel System Connections................461
NBrakes.............................462
NAutomatic Transaxle...................464
NFront And Rear Wheel Bearings...........467NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................467
NCleaning The Instrument Panel Cup Holders . . 473
mFuses/Totally Integrated Power Module
(TIPM)..............................474
mVehicle Storage........................481
mReplacement Light Bulbs.................481
mBulb Replacement......................482
NHeadlights..........................482
NFront Park/Turn Signal And Side Marker
Lights.............................483
NFog Lights..........................483
NRear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, Side Marker And
Backup Lights........................484
432 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indica-
tor Lightº on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
²If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437
7

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message Ð gASCAP
Should the ªLoose Fuel Filler Capº or ªgASCAPº mes-
sage appear, there may be a problem in the evaporative
system. Before taking the vehicle into an authorized
dealer, check first to see if the fuel filler cap is possibly
loose, improperly installed, or damaged. A loose fuel
filler cap message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a9clicking9sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the
message off. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started. If the problem
is detected twice in a row, the system will turn on the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving the prob-
lem will turn the MIL light off. Take your vehicle in to an
authorized dealer.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of this vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system
is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if the vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery, or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, the vehicle may fail the test.
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE