2009 DODGE CARAVAN ECO mode

Sliding Side Door....................... 42
▫Power Sliding Side Door — If Equipped..... 43
▫Sliding Side Door Child Protection Lock..... 47
Liftgate.............................. 49
▫Power Liftgate — If Equipped............ 50
Storage Bin Safety Warning................ 53
▫Safety Warning....................... 53
Occupant Restraints..................... 55
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.................... 56
▫Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR) Mode
— If Equipped........................ 62
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners.................. 62▫Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert).......................... 63
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women........... 64
▫Seat Belt Extender..................... 64
▫Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbag............................. 65
▫Airbag System Components.............. 66
▫Front Seat Airbag Features............... 66
▫Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls.... 70
▫Event Data Recorder (EDR).............. 76
▫Integrated Child Booster Seat — If Equipped . . 78
▫Integrated Child Seat — If Equipped........ 80
▫Child Restraints....................... 81
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To Exit Remote Start Mode and Drive the Vehicle
Before the end of the 15-minute cycle, press and release
the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter to unlock
the doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm (if
equipped). Then, prior to the end of the 15-minute cycle,
insert the key into the ignition switch and turn the switch
to the ON position.
NOTE:
•The ignition switch must be in the ON position in
order to drive the vehicle.
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the message “Insert Key/
Turn to ON” will flash in the EVIC until you insert the
key. Once inserted, the message “Turn to ON” will
flash in the EVIC until you turn the key to ON.
Cancel Remote Start
Remote Starting will also cancel if any of the following
occur:
•The engine stalls or engine speed exceeds 2500 rpm
•Any engine warning lights come on
•The hood is opened
•The hazard switch is pressed
•The shift lever is moved out of PARK
•The brake pedal is pressed
•The engine is allowed to run for the entire 15-minute
cycle
To Turn Off the Engine While in Remote Start
Mode
Press and release the REMOTE START button one time.
NOTE:To avoid inadvertent shutdowns while in the
Remote Start Mode, the system will not allow the Remote
Start button to shutdown the engine for two seconds after
receiving a valid Remote Start request.
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3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 15 seconds, cycle the ignition key from the
LOCK position to the ON/RUN position a minimum of
four times, ending in the LOCK position(do not start the
engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver’s door lock switch
in the LOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, the program mode was
canceled before the feature could be disabled. If neces-
sary, repeat the above procedure.The Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
feature can be reactivated by repeating the above men-
tioned procedure or by performing the procedure in the
EVIC (if equipped), Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features) section.
Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit — If
Equipped
The Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit feature unlocks
all of the doors of the vehicle when any door is opened.
This will occur only after the shift lever has been shifted
into the PARK position, after the vehicle has been driven
(the shift lever has been shifted out of PARK and all
doors closed).
The Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit feature will not
operate if there is any manual operation of the power
door locks (lock or unlock).
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The Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit feature can be
enabled or disabled by performing the following proce-
dure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chimes that may be confusing during this
programming procedure.)
3. Insert the key into the ignition switch.
4. Within 15 seconds, cycle the ignition key from the
LOCK position to the ON/RUN position a minimum of
four times ending in the LOCK position(do not start the
engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver’s door lock switch
in the UNLOCK direction.
6. A single chime will sound to indicate the feature has
been changed.7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, the program mode was
canceled before the feature could be changed. If neces-
sary, repeat the above procedure.
The Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit feature can be
reactivated by repeating the above mentioned procedure
or by performing the procedure in the EVIC, Customer
Programmable Features section on vehicles so equipped.
NOTE:Use the Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph
(24 km/h) and Unlock Doors Automatically On Exit
features in accordance with local laws.
Remote Power Unlock On First Press — If
Equipped
The Remote Power Unlock On First Press feature lets you
program the system to unlock either the driver’s side
door or all doors on the first press of the UNLOCK
button on the transmitter.
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•If the power liftgate encounters multiple obstructions
within the same cycle, the system will automatically
stop and must be opened or closed manually.
WARNING!
•Driving 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.
•If 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.
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 Warning
WARNING!
•Always close the storage bin covers when your
vehicle 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.
•In an accident, serious injury could result if the
seat storage bin covers are not properly latched.
•Do not drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
•Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched
while the vehicle is in motion.
(Continued)
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NOTE:
•When using the LATCH attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through
the child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This
should stow the seat belt out of the reach of an
inquisitive child. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and should not be
played with, and never leave your child unattended in
the vehicle.
•If your child restraint seat is not LATCH compatible,
install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Installing the Child Restraint Using the Vehicle
Seat Belts
Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation in
vehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.Seat belts, except for the
driver’s seat belt, are equipped with an Automatic Lock-
ing Retractor (ALR) and/or a cinching latch plate. Both
types of seat belts are designed to keep the lap portion
tight around the child restraint so that it is not necessary
to use a locking clip. In seating positions that are
equipped with an ALR retractor, it will make a ratcheting
noise after all the webbing is extracted and allowed to
return back. For additional information, refer to “Auto-
matic Locking Mode” earlier in the section.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
The vehicle tether anchor is designed to be used with
a child restraint only. It should not be used for any
other purpose. Before use, inspect the tether anchor
strap for nicks, abrasions, discoloration, and loose
threads. If these or any other condition that might
affect the performance of the strap is observed, DO
NOT USE that strap. Personal injury may result.
Contact your authorized dealership for a replacement
part.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown under “Engine Oil”, under “Maintenance Proce-
dures” in section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
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SAFETY TIPS
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically checking for
cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first turned
ON. If the LED is not lit during starting and/or the light
stays on or comes ON while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
NOTE:If the defroster is not working or you are unable
to feel air against the windshield in defrost mode, please
see your authorized dealer service center for repairs.
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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