2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN User Guide

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
• The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed behind the rear left sidetrim panel in the rear cargo area. Turn the two cover latches to release the cover.
• Remove the pouch containing thescissors jack, jack handle, and tools.
Spare Tire Removal
• The spare tire is stowed inside aprotective cover located under the
center of the vehicle between the front
doors by means of a cable winch
mechanism. The “spare tire drive” nut
is located on the floor, under a plastic
cap at the front of the floor console.
• The tool pouch contains three pieces and can be assembled into a spare tire hook; to remove the compact spare tire/cover assembly from under the vehicle, or a
Winch T-handle; to raise/lower the compact spare tire/cover assembly.
To Access Spare Tire Winch Drive Nut
• To access the spare tire winch drive nut and lower the spare tire, you will need torefer to one of the following center console configurations.
Super Console • For vehicles equipped with the Super Console, the spare tire winch assembly drive nut is located beneath the console.
1. Pull the lower drawer out from therear of the floor console.
2. Open the front drawer to expose the storage compartment.
3. Remove the liner from the console's storage compartment to access the
spare tire winch drive nut.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
63

Premium/Base/Cargo Center Console• Pull the Winch Cover assembly plug (if equipped) to access the winch drive nut.
Spare Tire Tools
• The spare tire pouch contains three pieces and can be assembled into a Winch T-handle or Spare Tire Hook.
A — Spare Tire Hook/T-handle
B — Extension 1
C — Extension 2
Assembled T-handle
A — Spare Tire Hook/T-handle
B — Extension 1
C — Extension 2
Assembling The Spare Tire Hook
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
64

Spare Tire Removal Instructions
• The spare tire is located under the vehicle beneath the center console area.
1. Assemble the spare tire tools into a T-handle and place the square end over thespare tire winch drive nut.
2. Rotate the nut to the left until the winch mechanism stops turning freely. This will allow enough slack in the cable to allow you to pull the spare tire out from
underneath the vehicle.
3. To remove the compact spare tire/cover assembly, assemble the winch T-handle extensions to form a “T” and fit the winch T-handle over the drive nut, refer to
“Assembling The Spare Tire Hook” graphic in “Spare Tire Tools”. Rotate the nut
to the left until the winch mechanism stops turning freely. This will allow enough
slack in the cable to allow you to pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
NOTE:If either front tire is flat it may be
necessary to jack up the vehicle to
remove the compact spare tire/cover
assembly from under the vehicle.
4. Stand the tire/cover assembly upright and remove the wheel spacer by
squeezing the winch retaining tabs
together. Push the retainer through
the spare tire to release it from the
wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
65

Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK.
5. Turn OFF the ignition.• Block both the front and rear of thewheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if changing the
right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
NOTE: Refer to the “Compact Spare Tire” section of “Tires – General Information” for
information about the spare tire, its use, and operation.
1. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
2. There are two jack engagement locations on each side of the vehicle body. These locations are on the sill flange of the vehicle body.
Rear jack locations are between a pair of down-facing tabs on the sill flange of the
vehicle side body.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
66

Front jack location is on the sill flange of
the vehicle body and is located 6 in
(150 mm) from door edge.
NOTE: In some situations the jack may
need to be placed on its side in order to be
pushed under the vehicle. Return the jack
to its correct orientation once it is under
the vehicle.
3. Place the wrench on the jack screw and turn to the right until the jack
head is properly engaged in the
described location. Do not raise the
vehicle until you are sure the jack is
securely engaged.
4. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right, using the swivel
wrench. Raise the vehicle only until
the tire just clears the surface and
enough clearance is obtained to
install the spare tire. Minimum tire
lift provides maximum stability.
5. Remove the wheel lug nuts, for vehicles with wheel covers, remove
the cover from the wheel by hand. Do
not pry the wheel cover off. Then pull
the wheel off the hub.
6. Install the compact spare tire. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
NOTE:
• Do not install the wheel cover on the compact spare.
• Do not use a hammer or force to install the wheel covers. 7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
8. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice.
The correct wheel nut tightness is 102 ft lbs (138 N·m). If in doubt about the
correct tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your authorized
dealer or at a service station.
9. Lower the jack to its fully-closed position.
10. Place the deflated (flat) tire and compact spare tire cover assembly in the rear cargo area. Do not stow the deflated tire in the spare tire location. Have the
full-sized tire repaired or replaced, as soon as possible.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
67

11. Stow the cable and wheel spacer before driving the vehicle. Reassemble thewinch handle extensions to form a “T” and fit the winch T-handle over the drive
nut. Rotate the nut to the right until the winch mechanism clicks at least three
times.
12. Stow the jack, jack handle and winch handle tools back in the stowage compartment.
13. Check the compact spare tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure, as required.
Securing The Spare Tire
1. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form a T-handle and fit the winchT-handle over the drive nut. Rotate the nut to the left until the winch mechanism
stops turning freely. This will allow enough slack in the cable to allow you to pull
the wheel spacer out from under the vehicle.
2. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form the spare tire hook, and pull the wheel spacer from under the vehicle.
3. Turn the compact spare tire so that the valve stem is down, and place the tire into the spare tire/cover assembly. Slide the wheel spacer through the center of the
wheel and spare tire/cover assembly, so that the two retainer tabs snap out and
engage the spare tire cover on the opposite side.
4. Using the winch T-handle, rotate the drive nut to the right until the compact spare tire/cover assembly is drawn into place against the underside of the vehicle.
5. Continue to rotate the nut to the right until you hear the winch mechanism click three times. It cannot be overtightened. Check under the vehicle to ensure the
compact spare tire/cover assembly is positioned correctly against the underside of
the vehicle.
Road Tire Installation
Vehicles Equipped With Wheel Covers
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. To ease the installation process for steel wheels with wheel covers, install two lug nuts on the mounting studs which are on each side of the valve stem. Install the
lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten
the lug nuts.
3. Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with the valve stem on the wheel. Install the cover by hand, snapping the cover over the two lug nuts. Do not use a hammer
or excessive force to install the cover.
4. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts. To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the
jack, do not tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle is lowered to the ground.
5. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
6. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each nut
has been tightened twice. The correct tightness of each lug nut is 102 ft/lbs
(138 N·m). If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
68

7. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensurethat all lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
Vehicles Without Wheel Covers 1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
4. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased leverage. Tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern until each
nut has been tightened twice. The correct tightness of each lug nut is 102 ft/lbs
(138 N·m). If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
5. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
CAUTION!
• The winch mechanism is designed for use with the winch T-handle only. Useof an air wrench or other power tools is not recommended and can damage
the winch.
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those indicated in the Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those indicated.
• Be sure to mount the spare tire with the valve stem facing outward. The vehicle could be damaged if the spare tire is mounted incorrectly.
• The winch mechanism is designed for use with the winch T-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other power tools is not recommended and can damage
the winch.
• The compact spare tire/cover assembly must be used when the compact spare tire is stored. Failure to use this cover could drastically reduce the life
of the compact spare tire.
• 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
69

WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to movingtraffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle 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 be used 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.
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
• 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.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
70