2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN fuel

NOTE:The left side sliding door cannot be opened
while the fuel door is open. This feature operates only
when the sliding door is fully closed prior to opening the
fuel door.
Power Sliding Side Door — If Equipped
The power sliding door may be opened or closed manu-
ally or by using the buttons on the RKE transmitter,
overhead console switch, or rear door switch. Pulling the
inside or outside power sliding door handle will also
power open or close the power sliding door.
NOTE: Pulling the outside power sliding door handle a
second time while the sliding door is power opening or
power closing will allow the sliding door to be opened or
closed manually. Press the button on the RKE transmitter twice within five
seconds to open a power sliding door. When the door is
fully open, pressing the button twice within five seconds
a second time will close the door.
There are power sliding side door switches located on the
trim panel just in front of the power sliding door for the
rear seat passengers and in the overhead console for the
driver and passengers. Pressing the switch once will
open the power sliding door. When the door is fully open
pressing the switch a second time will close the door.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41 2

Acceleration SensorsAcceleration Sensors trigger airbag deployment based on
dramatic acceleration change of the vehicle.
Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensors trigger airbag deployment based on
door cavity pressure changes.
Rollover Sensors
Rollover Sensors trigger airbag deployment in the event
of vehicle rollover and aid the ORC in deploying Side
Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) for rollover events.
Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) — If Equipped
The ORC deploys the SABIC during a collision with
other vehicles and during collisions where the impact is
confined to a particular area of the vehicle, such as,
collisions with poles, trees or similar objects. In these
events, the ORC will deploy the SABIC only on the
impact side of the vehicle.
NOTE:
The ORC will also detect and protect for rollover
when equipped with SABIC airbags. In a rollover the
SABIC airbags will deploy on both sides of the vehicle.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing airbag deployment, the
vehicle communication network intact, and the power
intact, the Enhanced Accident Response System performs
the following functions:
Cuts off fuel to the engine.
Flashes hazard lights as long as the battery has power
or until the ignition key is turned off
Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
Unlocks the doors automatically.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

DefrosterCheck 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. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
The arrow in this symbol is a reminder that the
Fuel Filler Door is located on the left side of the
vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range. CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine 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”, and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately, and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.240 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

11. Odometer / Trip Odometer — If Equipped
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press the Trip
Odometer button.
To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).12. Message Display Area
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
CHAngE OIL
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil Change Required
HOTOIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transaxle Oil Temperature
Exceeds Safe Threshold
CRUISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cruise Control On
door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Door Ajar
gATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lift Gate Ajar
gASCAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuel Cap Fault
hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hood Ajar
noFUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuse Fault
LoCOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Coolant
LoWASH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Washer Fluid
LoW tirE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Tire Pressure
244 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

the ON position before engine start. If the bulb does not
come on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The MIL flashes to alert to serious conditions that could
lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible if this occurs.
16. Engine Temperature Warning LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H,this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold. Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
pass
H,the indicator will continuously flash and a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed
to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in Section 6
for more information.
17. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247
4

21. Vehicle Security Light — If EquippedThis light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds when the vehicle security
alarm is arming and then will flash slowly until
vehicle is disarmed.
22. Airbag Warning Light This light turns on and remains on for four
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
23. Charging System Light This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on when the
ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an autho-
rized dealer.
24. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.0 gal-
lons (7.8 liters) this light will turn on and remain on
until fuel is added.
25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly, when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.) UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249
4

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL