2011 DODGE CARAVAN jump start

Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located on the left side of
the engine compartment.WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories.
Positive Battery Post
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 457
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3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to the
positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper
cable to the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable to the
negative (-)post of the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper
cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the
discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
458 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative (-)jumper cable from the
negative (-)post of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable
from the negative (-)post of the booster battery. 8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive
(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets 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.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 459
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To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
•Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
478 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Automatic TransaxleAdding Fluid ....................... 493
Fluid Level Check .................... 493
Selection Of Lubricant ..............492,513
Shifting ........................... 358
Special Additives ..................... 493
Automatic Transmission .............354,492,493
Adding Fluid ....................... 493
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 493
Fluid Change ....................... 493
Fluid Type ...................... 492,513
B-Pillar Location ........................ 382
Battery ............................... 478
Jump Starting ....................... 456
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 171
Belts, Seat ............................. 102
Blind Spot Monitoring .................... 118 Body Mechanism Lubrication
............... 482
Brake Assist System ...................... 372
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 371
Brake Fluid ............................ 513
Brake System ........................... 489
Fluid Check ........................ 490
Parking ........................... 367
Warning Light ....................... 257
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 355
Brakes ............................... 489
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ....... 100
Bulb Replacement ....................... 507
Bulbs, Light ......................... 104,507
Calibration, Compass .................. 265,278
Camera, Rear ........................... 191
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 511
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 416
10
INDEX 541
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Door Locks, Automatic.................... 35
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 197
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 362
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 363
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 274
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 317
E-85 Fuel ............................. 412
Economy (Fuel) Mode .................... 356
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 115
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 207
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 371
Brake Assist System ................... 372
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 178
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 373
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) ............................. 191,265Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 438
Jacking ......................... 439,448
Jump Starting ....................... 456
Overheating ........................ 438
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 469
Engine Air Cleaner ......................... 475
Block Heater ........................ 353
Break-In Recommendations ............. 100
Checking Oil Level ................... 472
Compartment ....................... 467
Compartment Identification ............. 467
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 512
Cooling ........................... 484
Exhaust Gas Caution .............53,101,412
Flooded, Starting ..................... 352
Fuel Requirements ................. 408,511
Oil ......................... 472,511,512
544 INDEX
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HitchesTrailer Towing ....................... 426
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 197
Hood Release .......................... 163
Hook, Coat ............................ 223
Ignition ............................... 13
Key ............................. 12,13
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 13
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint ........................ 87,88
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 265
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 113
Instrument Cluster .................... 247,249
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 246
Instrument Panel Cover ................... 497
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 498
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 499Interior Appearance Care
.................. 497
Interior Lights .......................... 167
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 440
Jack Operation .......................... 439
Jump Starting .......................... 456
Key-In Reminder ......................... 15
Key, Programming ........................ 17
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Keyless Entry System ...................... 20
Keys ................................. 12
Lane Change Assist ...................... 170
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 57
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren).. 91
Latches ............................... 104
548 INDEX
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