2009 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the
removable floor console is not properly installed.
Always be sure the removable floor console is fully
latched.
ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER — IF
EQUIPPED
Press the rear window defroster button (located on
your front climate control) to turn on the rear
window defroster and the optional heated mirrors. A
light will illuminate to show that the defroster is on. The
defroster automatically turns off after approximately ten
minutes of operation, as long as the ignition switch is in
the ON position.After the initial time interval has expired, if the rear
window defogger switch is pressed to the on position
again (during the same ignition cycle), the system will
automatically turn off after approximately five minutes.
NOTE:You may turn off the heated mirror feature at
anytime by pressing the rear window defogger switch a
second time.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 223
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UMBRELLA HOLDER
An umbrella holder has been conveniently molded into
the left front door entry scuff molding.
LOAD-LEVELING SYSTEM
The automatic load-leveling system will provide a level
riding vehicle under most passenger and cargo loading
conditions.
A hydraulic pump contained within the shock absorbers
raises the rear of the vehicle to the correct height. It takes
approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of driving for the leveling
to complete depending on road surface conditions.
If the leveled vehicle is not moved for approximately
15 hours, the leveling system will bleed itself down. The
vehicle must be driven to reset the system.
Umbrella Holder
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WARNING!
Do not install the load-leveling system on vehicles
that are not equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes. Ve-
hicles without Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) have a height-
sensing proportioning valve. Installing a leveling
system will render this system ineffective, inappro-
priately reducing rear brake pressure, resulting in
increased stopping distances. You could have a seri-
ous accident.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and side rails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargoinside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
To move the crossbars, loosen the thumb screws located
at the upper edge of each crossbar approximately six
turns, then move the crossbar to the desired position,
keeping the crossbars parallel to the rack frame. Once the
crossbar is in place, retighten the thumb screws to lock
the crossbar into position.
Attempt to move the crossbar again to ensure that it has
properly locked into position.
NOTE:To help control wind noise when installing the
crossbars make sure the arrows marked on the underside
of the crossbars are facing the front of the vehicle. When
the crossbars are not in use, the front crossbar should be
fastened just forward of the middle support and the rear
crossbar should be fastened at the rearmost position of
the side rails. This will help reduce the amount of wind
noise when the crossbars are not in use.
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The tie down holes on the crossbar ends should always
be used to tie down the load. Check the straps frequently
to be sure that the load remains securely attached.
CAUTION!
•Crossbars should remain equally spaced or paral-
lel at any luggage rack position for proper func-
tion. Noncompliance could result in damage to the
luggage rack, cargo and/or vehicle.
•To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do
not exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity of
150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads as
evenly as possible and secure the load appropri-
ately.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Long loads which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
•Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic, can add sudden upward lift to
a load. This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
226 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in per-
sonal injury or property damage. Follow the Roof
Rack Cautions when carrying cargo on your roof
rack.
SUN SCREENS — IF EQUIPPED
Sun screens are available for second and third row
seating windows. The screens store in the sill trim panels,
and the tops of the windows are equipped with hooks
that the sun screens attach to when pulled out.Gently pull up on the tab to raise the sun screen.
Continue pulling the sun screen until the tab is near the
top of the window.
Sun Screen Retracted
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Once the screen is completely to the top of the window,
extend the top bar of the sun screen over the two hooks
attached to the top of the window.To lower the sun screen, gently lift the tab upward to
disengage the hooks, and feed the screen back into the
base sill.
Sun Screen Attaching To Retainer ClipsSun Screen Extended
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instrument Panel Features................ 233
Instrument Cluster – Base................ 234
Instrument Cluster – Premium............ 235
Instrument Cluster Descriptions............ 236
Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) — If
Equipped............................ 248
▫CMTC Odometer Display............... 249
▫CMTC Reset Buttons.................. 249▫Compass/Temperature Display........... 250
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped........................... 252
▫EVIC Displays....................... 254
▫Trip Functions....................... 255
▫Compass Display..................... 257
▫Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable
Features)........................... 2594
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AM/FM/CD/DVD Multimedia System Radio
(RER/REN) – If Equipped................ 263
▫Operating Instructions — Voice Recognition
System (VR) — If Equipped............. 263
▫Operating Instructions — Hands-Free
Communication (UConnect)—
If Equipped......................... 263
▫Clock Setting Procedure................ 263
Sales Code RES — AM/FM Stereo Radio With
CD Player (MP3 AUX Jack)................ 266
▫Operating Instructions — Radio Mode...... 266
▫Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play.................. 269
▫Notes On Playing MP3 Files............. 271
▫Operation Instructions - Auxiliary Mode.... 274Sales Code RES/RSC — AM/FM Stereo Radio
With CD Player (MP3 AUX Jack) And Sirius
Radio............................... 274
▫Operating Instructions — Radio Mode...... 275
▫Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play.................. 280
▫Notes On Playing MP3 Files............. 282
▫List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 285
▫Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 285
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) — If
Equipped............................ 286
▫Connecting The iPod................. 287
▫Using This Feature................... 287
▫Controlling The iPodUsing Radio
Buttons............................ 288
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