2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN engine

Towing TipsBefore setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transaxle
The DRIVE gear can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in DRIVE, move the shift
lever into third gear (with four-speed transaxle) or fifth
gear (with six-speed transaxle).
NOTE:
Moving the shift lever into third gear (with
four-speed transaxle) or fifth gear (with six-speed trans-
axle) while operating the vehicle under heavy operating
conditions will improve performance and extend trans-
axle life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build up.
This action will also provide better engine braking. Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery
5 — Ground
2 —
Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

Cooling SystemTo reduce potential for engine and transaxle overheating,
take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
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.
408 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCONTENTS
m
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
m If Your Engine Overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
m Jacking And Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
▫ Jack Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 m
Jump-Starting Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
m Freeing A Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
m Towing A Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
▫ Towing With The Ignition Key . . . . . . . . . . 427 6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERThe Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
center of the instrument panel above the radio.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
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 flasher will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
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 action.
On the highways — Slow down.
In city traffic — While stopped, shift the transmission
shift 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 (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C can help remove this heat.
You can also turn the Temperature Control to maxi-
mum heat, the Mode Control to floor and 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. 410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, 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
“H”, 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.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING WARNING!

Getting 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.
The 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. (Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411 6

Jacking Instructions
WARNING!Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
(Continued) WARNING! (Continued)

Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 415 6

CAUTION!For vehicles equipped with Stow ’n Got
seating, the
winch mechanism is designed specifically to stow a
compact spare tire only. Do not attempt to use the
winch to stow the full size flat tire, or any other
full-size tire. Vehicle damage may result.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE WARNING!

Do not attempt to push or tow the vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
(Continued) WARNING! (Continued)

If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from another
vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Do not lean over a battery when attaching
clamps, or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep all flames and sparks
away from the vent holes. Do not use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output
that exceeds 12-Volts.
(Continued)
424 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!Do not permit vehicles to touch each other, as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery, and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure there is a
good contact on the engine. WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark could
cause the battery to explode.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan. WARNING!
Any procedure other than the jump-starting process
listed could result in:
Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
426 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES