2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN win

Vacation/Storage
Before you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes, in
fresh air with the blower setting on high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild, rainy
and/or humid weather. To clear the windows, select
Defrost or Mix mode and increase the front blower speed.
Do not use the Recirculation mode without A/C for long
periods, as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum, they could plug the water drains. In
Winter months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush, and snow.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 453

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES................461
▫Automatic Transmission................461
▫Normal Starting.......................461
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C)..........................462
▫If The Engine Fails To Start..............462
▫After Starting........................463
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .464
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............464
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............466▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .466
▫Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode.............466
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission.........468
▫Gear Ranges.........................469
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........477
▫Acceleration.........................477
▫Traction............................477
DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............478
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................478
▫Shallow Standing Water.................478
5

▫Fuel Requirements....................534
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......535
▫Starting............................536
▫Cruising Range.......................536
▫Replacement Parts....................536
▫Maintenance........................536
ADDING FUEL........................537
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............537
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............538VEHICLE LOADING....................539
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............539
TRAILER TOWING.....................541
▫Common Towing Definitions.............542
▫Towing Tips.........................554
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)............556
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .556
▫Recreational Towing – All Models..........556
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

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, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, 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 461

WARNING!
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the key fob. When
the ignition is in the OFF position, the shift lever is
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob 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. Children 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 (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 465

When the Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode is engaged, the
vehicle control systems will change the following:
•The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift
later.
•The transmission will skip select gears during shifts to
allow the engine to operate at lower speeds.
•
The torque converter clutch will engage at lower engine
speeds and remain on longer.
•The engine idle speed will be lower.
•The overall driving performance will be more
conservative.
•Some ECON mode functions may be temporarily
inhibited based on temperature and other factors.
Fuel Economy Mode Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 467

WARNING!(Continued)
•Allowing children to be alone in a vehicle unat-
tended is dangerous for a number of reasons.
A child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the ignition key/key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to children.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
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.
CAUTION!
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must turn the ignition switch from the OFF posi-
tion to the ON/RUN position, and also press the
brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift lever
could result.
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 471

REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
472 STARTING AND OPERATING