2012 DODGE CARAVAN maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................ 105
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................. 279
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................415
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES............................................. 511
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................543
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................593
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE........................................ 609
10INDEX...................................................................619
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by Warranty Information, and various
customer-oriented documents. Please take the time to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for convenient referenc-
ing and remain with the vehicle when sold.When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained tech-
nicians and genuine MOPAR
parts, and cares about
your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
Since the specification of your vehicle depends on the
items of equipment ordered, certain descriptions and
illustrations may differ from your vehicle’s equipment.
The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be
serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your autho-
rized dealer.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
•The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on for
approximately four to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned to ON/RUN.
•The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the
approximate four to eight-second interval.
•The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83
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While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
(Continued)
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 99
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▫Sunroof Maintenance ................. 244
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 244
▫ Sunroof Fully Closed .................. 244
 Electrical Power Outlets — If Equipped ...... 244
 Power Inverter — If Equipped ............ 249
 Cupholders .......................... 250
▫ Instrument Panel Cupholders ............ 250
▫ Super Console — If Equipped ........... 251
▫ Premium Console Cupholders —
If Equipped ........................ 252
▫ Interior Bottle Holders ................ 252
▫ Smoker’s Package Kit — If Equipped ...... 253
Storage ............................. 254
▫ Glove Compartments ................. 254
▫ Door Trim Panel Storage ............... 255
▫ Driver Seatback Storage — If Equipped .... 256
▫ Umbrella Holder ..................... 256
▫ Second Row Seat Storage Bins —
If Equipped ........................ 257
▫ Storage Bin Safety Warning ............. 258
▫ Coat Hooks ........................ 260
▫ Cargo Area Storage ................... 260
 Console Features ...................... 261
▫ Basic Console ....................... 261
▫ Premium Console — If Equipped ......... 262
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned to the LOCK position. Opening either front
door will cancel this feature.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power
sunroof switch will remain active for up to approxi-
mately ten minutes after the ignition switch is turned to
the LOCK position. Opening either front door will cancel
this feature.
Sunroof Fully Closed
Press the switch forward and release to ensure that the
sunroof is fully closed.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS — IF EQUIPPED
Two 12 Volt (13 Amp) power outlets are located on the
lower instrument panel, below the open storage bin. The
driver-side power outlet is controlled by the ignition
switch and the passenger-side power outlet is connected
directly to the battery. The driver-side power outlet will
also operate a conventional cigar lighter unit (if equipped
with an optional Smoker’s Package).
244 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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▫Replacing The Remote Control Batteries .... 372
▫ Headphones Operation ................ 372
▫ Controls ........................... 373
▫ Replacing The Headphone Batteries ....... 374
▫ Unwired Stereo Headphone Lifetime
Limited Warranty .................... 374
▫ System Information ................... 376
 Steering Wheel Audio Controls —
If Equipped .......................... 390
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 391
▫ CD Player ......................... 391
 CD/DVD Disc Maintenance .............. 392
 Radio Operation And Mobile Phones ....... 392
Climate Controls ...................... 393
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning
System — If Equipped ................. 393
▫ Rear Manual Climate Control —
If Equipped ........................ 398
▫ Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped .......................... 400
▫ Summer Operation ................... 411
▫ Winter Operation .................... 411
▫ Vacation/Storage .................... 412
▫ Window Fogging .................... 412
▫ Outside Air Intake ................... 412
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 413
▫ A/C Air Filter ...................... 413
282 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists, the odometer
display will toggle between LoW and tirE for three
cycles.
gASCAP
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer display
area. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
STEP button on the steering wheel to turn off the
message. If the problem continues, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
noFUSE
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the
Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse is improperly installed, or
damaged, a “noFUSE” message will display in the odom-
eter display area. For further information on fuses and
fuse locations refer to “Fuses” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”.CHAngE OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The
CHAngE OILmessage will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds, after a single chime has sounded, to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle-based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the STEP button on the steering wheel. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance), perform the following steps.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (do
not start the engine).
288 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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