2009 DODGE CARAVAN heater

Heated Seats — If Equipped
This feature heats the front driver and passenger seats.
The controls for front heated seats are located on the
center instrument panel area. The switch indicator lights
will show when the High or Low heat is on.
Press the switch once to choose High
(two lights), press it a second time to
choose Low (one light), press it a third
time to turn the heater Off (no lights).
Second row heated seat switches are located in the
sliding side door handle trim panels and function the
same as front switches.
Heated Seat Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
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WARNING!
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns even
at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. DO NOT place anything on the seat
that insulates against heat, such as a blanket or
cushion. This may cause the seat heater to overheat.
Manual Reclining Seats — If Equipped
The recliner control lever is on the outboard side of the
seat. To recline, lean forward slightly, lift the lever, then
push back to the desired position and release the lever.
Lean forward and lift the lever to return the seatback toits normal position. Using body pressure, lean forward
and rearward on the seat to be sure the seatback has
latched.
Manual Reclining Seat Control
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Only when the front control for the rear blower is in the
RRposition do the second row seat occupants have
control of the rear blower speed.
The rear blower control, located in the rear overhead
console, has an off position and a range of blower speeds.
This allows the second row seat occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Manual Rear Zone Climate
Control system through an intake grille, located in
the passenger side trim panel behind the third row
seats. The heater outlets are located in the passenger
side trim panel, just behind the sliding door. Do not
block or place objects directly in front of the inlet
grille or heater outlets. The electrical system could
overload, causing damage to the blower motor.
Rear Temperature Control
When the blower knob on the front climate control unit is
set to any position other thanRR, the rear temperature
settings will be controlled by the rear temperature control
knob on the front climate control unit. The rear mode
selection allows the settings to be controlled by the rear
mode control knob.
To change the temperature in the rear of the vehicle,
rotate the temperature control knob counterclockwise for
cold air, and clockwise for heated air.
When rear controls are locked by the front system, the
lock symbol on the temperature knob is illuminated, and
the rear overhead adjustments are ignored.
The rear airflow modes will mirror the front unit opera-
tion. Rear PANEL mode is automatically selected when
the front control is in the PANEL mode. When the front
unit is in BI-LEVEL mode, airflow will be emitted from
both the upper and lower rear outlets. When the front
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 309
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2. Rotate the Rear Blower, Rear Temperature and the
Rear Mode Control knobs to suit your comfort needs.
3. ATC is selected by adjusting the rear blower knob
counterclockwise to AUTO.
Once the desired temperature is displayed, the ATC
System will automatically achieve and maintain that
comfort level. When the system is set up for your comfort
level, it is not necessary to change the settings. You will
experience the greatest efficiency by simply allowing the
system to function automatically.
NOTE:
•It is not necessary to move the temperature settings for
cold or hot vehicles. The system automatically adjusts
the temperature, mode and fan speed to provide
comfort as quickly as possible.
•The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric
units by selecting the US/M customer-programmablefeature. Refer to the “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) — Customer-Programmable Features”
in this Section of the manual.
Rear Blower Control
The rear blower control knob can be manually set to off,
or any fixed blower speed, by rotating the knob from low
to high. This allows the rear seat occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Rear Automatic Temperature
Control System through an intake grille, located in
the passenger side trim panel behind the third row
seats. The heater outlets are located in the passenger
side trim panel, just behind the sliding door. Do not
block or place objects directly in front of the inlet
grille or heater outlets. The electrical system could
overload causing damage to the blower motor.
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to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in section 7 of this manual for proper coolant
selection. Use of the air RECIRCULATION mode during
Winter months is not recommended, because it may
cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes, infresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild, rainy
and/or humid weather. To clear the windows, select
DEFROST or MIX mode and increase the front blower
speed. Do not use the RECIRCULATION mode without
A/C for long periods, as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
Winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 319
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 324
▫Automatic Transaxle.................. 324
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped......... 327
Automatic Transaxle.................... 327
▫Brake/Transaxle Interlock System......... 328
▫Four-Speed Or Six-Speed Automatic
Transaxle.......................... 329
▫Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle......... 334
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 334▫Acceleration........................ 334
▫Traction........................... 335
Driving Through Water.................. 335
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 336
▫Shallow Standing Water................ 336
Power Steering........................ 338
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 338
Parking Brake........................ 339
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2. Use the Fob with Integrated Key to briefly turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release it as
soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will disengage automatically
when the engine is running.
3. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds, then repeat the normal starting procedure
(Steps 1–3 above).
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transaxle shift
interlocking system. The brake pedal must be de-
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Extremely Cold Weather Starting — Below20°F
(–29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting — Above 4,000 ft (1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If The Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
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After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the
electrical cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver’s side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap
that is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the electrical cord before
driving. Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord
could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Move the shift lever into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Do not move the shift lever from REVERSE,
PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when
the engine is above idle speed.
•Before moving the shift lever into any gear, make
sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You must press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
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