2012 DODGE CARAVAN tire pressure

Towing Requirements – Tires
•
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
•Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tirereplacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes
•
Do
not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
•An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 505
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CAUTION!
Driving with a hot 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”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•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 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. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
514 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire
repaired or replaced immediately.
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.
11. Stow the cable and wheel spacer before driving the
vehicle. Reassemble the winch 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. NOTE:
Refer to the “Spare Tire Tools” section for
instructions on assembling the T-handle.
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 winch T-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.
528 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at anytime the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves,
etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden
hose vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
562 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and the power steering and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
•Open the left and right door (slowly) and inspect for
excessive dirt. If noise exist wipe clean and apply
krytox lube to the door rollers.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.8
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S596 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 564
Adding Fuel ........................... 490
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 561
Additives, Fuel ......................... 484
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 210
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 553
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 557
Air Conditioning ........................ 393
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 393
Air Conditioning Filter .................413,558
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 557
Air Conditioning System .............393,400,557
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 393
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 413
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone .............398,408
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 462
Airbag .............................. 70,79
Airbag Deployment ....................... 81
Airbag Light .................... 77,83,101,293Airbag Maintenance
....................... 82
Airbag, Side ........................ 74,76,79
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........74,76,79
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 294
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 343
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 289
Anti-Theft System ........................ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............563,589
Disposal ........................... 565
Appearance Care ........................ 571
Ashtray ............................... 253
Assist, Hill Start ........................ 449
Assistance Towing ....................... 139
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 39
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 39
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 112
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 35
620 INDEX
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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
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LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)....... 90
Latches ............................... 103
Hood ............................. 196
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 482
Leaks, Fluid ........................... 103
Life of Tires ............................ 468
Liftgate ................................ 48
Light Bulbs ............................ 103
Lights ............................. 103,198
Airbag ..................... 77,83,101,293
Alarm ............................ 294
Anti-Lock .......................... 289
Automatic Headlights ................. 199
Back-Up ........................... 588
Battery Saver ....................... 204
Brake Assist Warning .................. 448
Brake Warning ...................... 294
Bulb Replacement ................. 585,586Center Mounted Stop
.................. 588
Daytime Running .................... 200
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .............. 201
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 448
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 298
Exterior ........................... 103
Fog ......................... 200,286,587
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 513
Headlights ......................... 586
Headlights On Reminder ............... 200
High Beam Indicator .................. 286
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 204
Illuminated Entry ..................... 19
Interior ............................ 201
License ............................ 589
Lights On Reminder .................. 200
Low Fuel ....................... 297,306
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 291
Oil Pressure ........................ 297
10
INDEX 629
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