2012 DODGE CARAVAN child seat

3. Route the tether strap under the head rest.
NOTE:Ensure that the child restraint tether strap is
centered between the headrest supports underneath the
head rest.
4. Using the hook attached to the child restraint tether
strap, attach the child restraint tether strap to the metal
anchor on the lower rear of the front passenger seat.
5. Following the child seat manufacturer’s instructions,
tighten the child restraint tether strap.
6. Inspect the tether anchor strap for nicks, abrasions,
discoloration, and loose threads. If these, or any other
condition that might affect the performance of the strap is
observed, DO NOT USE. Contact your authorized deal-
ership for a replacement part.WARNING!
The vehicle tether anchor is designed to be used with
a child restraint only. It should not be used for any
other purpose. Before use, inspect the tether anchor
strap for nicks, abrasions, discoloration, and loose
threads. If these or any other condition that might
affect the performance of the strap is observed, DO
NOT USE that strap. Personal injury may result.
Contact your authorized dealership for a replacement
part.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
98 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

POWER SUNROOF — IF EQUIPPED
The power sunroof switch is located between the sun
visors on the overhead console.WARNING!
•Never leave children in a vehicle with the key in
the ignition switch. Occupants, particularly unat-
tended children, can become entrapped by the
power sunroof while operating the power sunroof
switch. Such entrapment may result in serious
injury or death.
•In a collision, there is greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could
also be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten
your seat belt properly and make sure all passen-
gers are properly secured.
•Do not allow small children to operate the sun-
roof. Never allow your fingers, other body parts, or
any object, to project through the sunroof opening.
Injury may result.
Power Sunroof Switch
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 241
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING!
In a collision, serious injury could result if the seat
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
•DO NOT drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
•Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched
while the vehicle is in motion.
•DO NOT use a storage bin latch as a tie down.
Storage Bin Safety Warning
Carefully follow these warnings to help prevent personal
injury or damage to your vehicle:
WARNING!
•Always close the storage bin covers when your
vehicle is unattended.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow children to have access to the second
row seat storage bins. Once in the storage bin,
young children may not be able to escape. If
trapped in the storage bin, children can die from
suffocation or heat stroke.
•In a collision, serious injury could result if the seat
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
•Do not drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open. Keep the storage bin covers closed
and latched while the vehicle is in motion.
•Do not operate the storage bin covers while the
vehicle is in motion.
•Do not use a storage bin latch as a tie down.
258 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
1. Do not press the accelerator.
2. Use the Fob with Integrated Key to briefly turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release it as
soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will disengage automatically
when the engine is running.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING! (Continued)
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must turn the ignition switch from the LOCK/OFF
position to the ON/RUN position, and also press
the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift
lever could result.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as
this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the shift lever into the PARK position:
•When shifting into PARK, firmly move the shift lever
all the way forward and to the left until it stops and is
fully seated.
•Look at the shift lever position display and verify that
it indicates the PARK position.
•With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 429
ProCarManuals.com

Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 490
Oil (Engine) ........................ 552
Power Steering ...................... 438
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 565
Car Washes ............................ 572
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..............100,486
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 260
Cargo Compartment Luggage Carrier ..................... 271
Caution, Exhaust Gas ...................... 51
Cellular Phone ....................... 125,392
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 588
Chains, Tire ............................ 470
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 514
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 453
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............291,547
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 99Checks, Safety
........................... 99
Child Restraint ...................... 85,86,87
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 90
Child Safety Locks ........................ 46
Child Seat .............................. 89
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 482
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 573
Climate Control ......................... 393
Clock ............................. 323,332
Coat Hook ............................ 260
Coin Holder ........................... 261
Cold Weather Operation ................... 420
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 392
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 465
Compass .............................. 313
Compass Calibration ..................... 314
Compass Variance ....................... 314
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 311
622 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Park.............................. 587
Passing ............................ 204
Reading ........................... 228
Rear Servicing ....................... 588
Rear Tail ........................... 588
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 296
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 294
Service ......................... 585,586
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 291
Side Marker ........................ 588
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 294
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 289
Traction Control ..................... 448
Turn Signal ................... 103,587,588
Voltage ............................ 297
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 286
Load Leveling System .................... 270 Loading Vehicle
................... 260,492,494
Capacities .......................... 494
Tires .............................. 457
Locks Automatic Door ...................... 35
Door .............................. 32
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ....................... 90
Lubrication, Body ....................... 560
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ................. 271
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 556
Maintenance Procedures ................... 549
Maintenance Schedule .................... 594
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 244
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 291,547
Manual, Service ......................... 615
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 228
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ............. 192
630 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Radio Operation........................ 392
Radio Remote Controls .................... 390
Rear Air Conditioning .................398,408
Rear Camera ........................... 224
Rear Cross Path ......................... 123
Rear Heater ............................ 398
Rear Park Sense System ................... 215
Rear Window Defroster ................... 269
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 112
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 167
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 84
Recreational Towing ...................... 509
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 482
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 68
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 390
Remote Starting System .................... 29
Removable Floor Console .................. 265
Replacement Keys ........................ 16 Replacement Parts
....................... 549
Replacement Tires ....................... 469
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 614
Resetting Oil Change Indicator .........288,289,309
Restraint, Head ......................... 167
Restraints, Child ....................... 85,89
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 536
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack) ................. 271
Rotation, Tires .......................... 472
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................ 101
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 103
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 614
Safety Information, Tire ................... 452
Safety Tips ............................. 99
Safety, Exhaust Gas .................... 51,100
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 343
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 594
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 576
10
INDEX 633
ProCarManuals.com