2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

NOTE:
²After engaging the Child Protection Door Lock, al-
ways test the door from the inside to make certain it is
in the desired position.
²When the Child Protection Door Lock system is en-
gaged, (even if the inside door lock is in the unlocked
position) the door can be opened only by using the
outside door handle, the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter, the switches on the overhead console, or
the switches located on the trim panel just in front of
the power sliding door.
²The power sliding side door will operate from the
switches located on the trim panel just in front of the
power sliding door, regardless of the Child Protection
Door Lock lever position.To avoid unintentional
operation of the power sliding door from the rear
seats, press the Master Lock Out Switch located in
the front overhead console to the ON position.
WARNING!
Avoid trapping anyone in the vehicle in a collision.
Remember that the sliding doors can only be opened
from the outside door handle or the switches located
on the trim panel just in front of the power sliding
door when the child protection locks are engaged.
To Disengage The Child Protection Door Lock
1. Open the sliding side door.
2. Slide the child lock control outward (away from the
vehicle) to disengage the Child Protection Door Lock.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the opposite sliding door (if
equipped).
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

LIFTGATE
On vehicles equipped with power locks, the liftgate can
be unlocked using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter button, or by activating the power door lock
switches located on the front doors.
To open the liftgate, depress the liftgate release handle
located on the underside of the license plate bar and pull
the liftgate open with one fluid motion.
If the liftgate is locked and is not equipped with the
power liftgate feature, pressing the button on the RKE
transmitter will result in the liftgate becoming unlocked
for 30 seconds allowing you to manually access the
liftgate area.
Liftgate Handle Location
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

POWER LIFTGATE Ð IF EQUIPPED
The power liftgate may be opened manually or by using
the button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmit-
ter. Press the button on the transmitter twice within five
seconds, to open the power liftgate. When the liftgate is
fully open, pressing the button twice within five seconds,
a second time, will close the liftgate.
When the RKE transmitter button is pressed and the
Flash Lights feature is enabled, the tail lights will flash to
signal that the liftgate is opening or closing.
The power liftgate may also be opened and closed by
pressing the button located on the front overhead con-
sole.
Overhead Console Master Power Switch Detail
1 Ð Left Door 3 Ð Right Door
2 Ð Liftgate 4 Ð Master LockTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

The power liftgate may be closed by pressing the button,
located in the upper left trim in the liftgate opening.
Pushing once will only close the liftgate. This button
cannot be used to open the liftgate.WARNING!
During power operation, personal injury or cargo
damage may occur. Ensure the liftgate travel path is
clear. Make sure the liftgate is closed and latched
before driving away.
NOTE:
²If anything obstructs the power liftgate while it is
closing or opening, the liftgate will automatically
reverse to the closed or open position, provided it
meets sufficient resistance.
²There are also pinch sensors attached to the side of the
liftgate opening. Light pressure anywhere along these
strips will cause the liftgate to return to the open
position.
Liftgate Rear Switch
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²The power liftgate must be in the full open or close
positions for any of the buttons to operate. If the
liftgate is not in the full open or close positions, it must
be opened or closed manually.
²If the liftgate release button is activated while the
power liftgate is closing, the liftgate will reverse to the
full open position.
²The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the
transmission gear selector lever is in gear or the
vehicle speed is above 0 mph (0 km/h).
²The power liftgate will not operate in temperatures
below212ÉF (224ÉC) or temperatures above 143ÉF
(62ÉC). Be sure to remove any buildup of snow or ice
from the liftgate before pressing any of the power
liftgate buttons.
²If the power liftgate encounters multiple obstructions
within the same cycle, the system will automatically
stop and must be opened or closed manually.
WARNING!
²Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
²If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
STORAGE BIN SAFETY WARNING
Safety Warnings
WARNING!
Always close the storage bin covers when your ve-
hicle is unattended. Do not allow children to have
access to the second row seat storage bins. Once in
the storage bin, young children may not be able to
escape. If trapped in the storage bin, children can die
from suffocation or heat stroke.
WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the seat
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
²DO NOT drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
²Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched
while the vehicle is in motion.
²DO NOT use a storage bin latch as a tie down.
CAUTION!
The storage bin cover must be flat and locked to
avoid damage from contact with the front seat tracks,
which have minimal clearance to the cover.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Your vehicle may be built with a release strap or
release lever attached to the Storage Bin Cover latch
mechanism.
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release Lever Ð If
Equipped
As a security measure, your vehicle may be built with a
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release lever built into the
storage bin cover latching mechanism.
NOTE:In the event of an individual being locked inside
the storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from
inside of the bin by pushing on the glow-in-the-dark
lever attached to the storage bin cover latching mecha-
nism.
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release Lever
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release Strap Ð If
Equipped
As a security measure, your vehicle may be built with a
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release strap built into the
storage bin cover latching mechanism.NOTE:In the event of an individual being locked inside
the storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from
inside of the bin by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark strap
attached to the storage bin cover latching mechanism.
Reinstalling Storage Bin Cover Emergency
Release Strap
If the storage bin cover strap disengages from the latch, it
can be reinstalled by inserting the loose end of the strap
into the latch mechanism.
Push the strap into the latch mechanism until it engages
around the latch post.
Storage Bin Cover Emergency Release Strap
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE