2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle behind another vehicle (flat-
towing with all four wheels on the ground) IS NOT
RECOMMENDED.NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 407
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................410
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................410
mJacking And Tire Changing................412
NJack Location........................413mJump-Starting Procedure..................425
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................427
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................428
NTowing With The Ignition Key............428
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The hazard flasher switch is located in the center of
the instrument panel below the radio.
To engage the Hazard Warning Flashers, depress the
switch on the instrument panel. When the Hazard Warn-
ing Switch is activated, all directional turn signals will
flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emer-
gency. Push the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning Flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, shift the transmission
gear selector lever into NEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, 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, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
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 a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411
6

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
For vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, if it
is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the
vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit.
412 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Location
The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed
behind the rear left side trim panel in the rear cargo area.
Turn the two cover latches to release the cover.
Remove the pouch containing the scissors jack, jack
handle, and tools.
Rear Compartment Features
1 - Tie Down 5 - Liftgate Close Switch
2 - Switch Bank 6 - Bag Holders
3 - Tire Jack/Handle7 - Child Seat LATCH Anchor
4 - Cubby/Speaker 8 - Rechargeable Flash LightWHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 413
6

Spare Tire Removal
For vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, the spare
tire is stowed inside a protective cover located under the
center of the vehicle by means of a cable winch mecha-
nism. The ªspare tire driveº nut is located on the floor,
under a plastic cap at the front of the floor console.
NOTE:The base console, if equipped, must be removed
to raise and lower the spare tire. Refer to ªConsole
Featuresº in Section 3, for the console removal procedure.
The tool pouch contains three pieces and can be as-
sembled into a Spare Tire Hook; to remove the compact
spare tire/cover assembly from under the vehicle, or a
Winch ªTº Handle; to raise/lower the compact spare
tire/cover assembly.
Stow 'n Go Tools
414 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES