2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN battery

One outlet in the removable floor console shares a fuse
with the lower outlet in the instrument panel and is also
connected to the battery. Do not exceed a maximum
power of 160 Watts (13 Amps) shared between the lower
panel outlet and the removable floor console outlet.The outlet in the rear quarter panel near the liftgate and
the upper outlet in the instrument panel are both con-
trolled by the ignition switch. Each of these outlets can
support 160 Watts (13 Amps). Do not exceed 160 Watts
(13 Amps) for each of these outlets.
The power outlets include tethered caps, labeled with a
key or battery symbol indicating the power source. The
power outlet, located on the lower instrument panel, is
powered directly from the battery. Items plugged into
this power outlet may discharge the battery and/or
prevent the engine from starting. WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
Do not touch with wet hands.
(Continued)12-Volt Power Outlets
UNDERSTANDING
THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 211 3

WARNING! (Continued)
Close the lid when not in use and while driving
the vehicle.
If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure. CAUTION!

Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent the engine from starting.
(Continued) CAUTION! (Continued)

Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
alternator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of accessory or acces-
sory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the
power outlet can cause damage.
212 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
You can turn off the heated mirror feature at anytime
by pressing the rear window defroster switch a second
time.
To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear win-
dow defroster only when the engine is operating.CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Labels can be peeled off
after soaking with warm water.
(Continued) CAUTION! (Continued)

Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 227 3

Compass/Temperature Display
Compass V
ariance
Compass Variance is the difference between Magnetic
North and Geographic North. To ensure compass accu-
racy, the compass variance should be properly set accord-
ing to the variance map for the zone where the vehicle
will be driven. When properly set, the compass will
automatically account for this difference.
NOTE:
A good calibration requires a level surface and an
environment free from large metallic objects such as
buildings, bridges, underground cables, railroad
tracks, etc.
Magnetic and battery powered devices, (such as cell
phones, iPod’s, radar detectors, PDA’s and laptops)
should be kept away from the top of the instrument panel. This is where the compass module is located
and such devices may interfere and cause false com-
pass readings. U.S. Variance Zone Map
254 UNDERST
ANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
DisplaysWhen the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages:
Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime, if vehicle is in
motion)
Liftgate Ajar (chime will sound when vehicle starts
moving)
Hood Ajar (if equipped with hood switch)
Check TPM System (refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System” in Section 5 of this manual)
Turn Signal On
RKE Battery Low
LOW WASHER FLUID
Oil Change Required
Left Front Turn Signal Light Out
Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out
Right Front Turn Signal Light Out
Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out
Park Assist Disabled
Service Park Assist System
Personal Settings Not Available — Vehicle Not In Park
Blind Spot System Off — This message is displayed
when the ignition is turned to ON to indicate the Blind
Spot System has been turned off.
Blind Spot System Not Available — This message is
displayed to indicate the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
system is temporarily unavailable due to sensor block-
age, electronic interference, or other
9temporary9con-
ditions. When this message is displayed both outside
258 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the iPodt
battery is completely discharged, it may
not communicate with the UCI system until a mini-
mum charge is attained. Leaving the iPodt connected
to the UCI system may charge it to the required level.
Using This Feature
By using the optional connection cable to connect an
iPodt to the vehicle’s UCI 16–pin connector port:
The iPodt audio can be played on the vehicle’s sound
system, providing metadata (artist, track title, album,
etc.) information on the radio display.
The iPodt can be controlled using the radio buttons to
Play, Browse, and List the iPodt contents.
The iPodtbattery charges when plugged into the UCI
connector (if supported by the specific iPodt device)
Controlling The iPodTUsing Radio Buttons
To get into the UCI (iPodt) mode and access a connected
iPodt, press the “AUX” button on the radio faceplate. Once in the UCI (iPodt) mode, iPodt
audio tracks (if
available from iPodt) start playing over the vehicle’s
audio system.
Play Mode
When switched to UCI mode, the iPodt automatically
starts Play mode. In Play mode, you may use the
following buttons on the radio faceplate to control the
iPodt and display data:
Use the TUNE control knob to select the next or
previous track.
Turning it clockwise (forward) by one click, while
playing a track, skips to the next track.
Turning it counterclockwise (backward) by one
click, during the first two seconds of the track, will
jump to the previous track in the list. Turning this
button at any other time in the track, will jump to
the beginning of the current track.
292 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Instructions — Video Entertainment
System (VES)™
(If Equipped)
Refer to separate “Video Entertainment System (VES)™
Guide.”
uconnectTstudios (SIRIUS BACKSEAT TV™) —
IF EQUIPPED
Satellite video uses direct satellite receiver broadcasting
technology to provide streaming video. The subscription
service provider is SIRIUS Satellite Radio. SIRIUS Back-
seat TV™ offers three video channels for family enter-
tainment, directly from its satellites and broadcasting
studios.
NOTE: SIRIUS service is not available in Hawaii and
has limited coverage in Alaska.
Refer to your Video Entertainment System (VES)™, RER
Navigation or REN Multimedia User Manuals for de-
tailed operating instructions.
VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (VES)™ — IF
EQUIPPED
The optional Video Entertainment System (VES)™ is
available with:
One or two video screens
Third row swivel screen — If Equipped
Additional single-disc DVD player with two-screen
system
Battery-powered two-channel remote control
Two remote headphones
Integrated remote storage in either screen location
Three different medias can be played simultaneously
(Cabin speakers and Headphone Channels 1 and 2)
Easy menu-driven functions on touch-screen radios
Video and audio input jacks available in rear seating
area
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301 4

NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transaxle shift
interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed
to shift out of PARK.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or –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.
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) WARNING! (Continued)

Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle 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.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in Section 6 of this manual.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING