2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Tire safety

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or authorized dealer-installed
options, must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire Safety Information/Tire
and Loading Information Placard” in “Starting and Op-
erating” for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components, the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR or GCWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a injury collision. Fol-
low these guidelines to make your trailer towing as
safe as possible: (Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 503

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Trailer tongue weight rating for that trailer
hitch. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of trailer
tongue weight as a percentage of total trailer
weight.)
504 STARTING AND OPERATING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 617

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
618 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

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

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

Text Messaging......................... 147
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 208
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 457
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 455
Tire Markings .......................... 452
Tire Safety Information .................... 452
Tires ........................... 103,461,617
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 468
Air Pressure ........................ 461
Chains ............................ 470
Changing .......................... 514
Compact Spare ...................... 465
General Information .................. 461
High Speed ......................... 463
Inflation Pressures .................... 462
Jacking ......................... 514,523
Life of Tires ........................ 468
Load Capacity .................... 457,458
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 473Pressure Warning Light
................ 289
Quality Grading ..................... 617
Radial ............................ 464
Replacement ........................ 469
Rotation ........................... 472
Safety .......................... 452,461
Sizes ............................. 453
Snow Tires ......................... 472
Spare Tire .......................... 516
Spinning ........................... 467
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 468
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 502
Towing ............................... 495
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 139
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 539
Guide ............................. 501
Recreational ........................ 509
Weight ............................ 501
Towing Assistance ....................... 139
636 INDEX