2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ECO mode

17. SYNC Button
Press and release to control the temperature setting for all
three zones from the driver temperature control.
18. Driver Temperature Control Up/Down Button
Provides the driver with independent temperature con-
trol. Push the top button for warmer temperatures or the
lower button for cooler temperature settings.
Controlling The Rear Climate Controls From The
Front ATC Panel
The Three-Zone ATC system allows for adjustment of the
rear climate controls from the front ATC panel.
To change the rear system settings:
•PressREARbutton to change control to rear control
mode, Rear display (below) will appear. Control func-
tions now operate rear system.•To return to Front screen, pressREARbutton again,
or it will revert to the Front screen after six seconds.
1. Mode Display
This display shows the current Mode selection.
Front ATC Panel Rear Control Display
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 443

selected. Push the button a second time to turn off the
Recirculation mode LED and allow outside air into the
vehicle.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode
may lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in Defrost mode to improve window
clearing operation. Recirculation will be disabled auto-
matically if this mode is selected.
Manual Operation
This system offers a full complement of manual override
features. The AUTO symbol in the front ATC display will
be turned off when the system is being used in the
manual mode.
NOTE:Each of these features operate independently
from each other. If any one feature is controlled manually,
the temperature doors will continue to operate automati-
cally.Blower Control
There are seven fixed blower speeds.
Use the outer dial control to regulate the
amount of air forced through the system
in any mode you select. The blower
speed increases as you move the control
clockwise and decreases when you move
the control counter-clockwise.
The blower fan speed can be set to any fixed speed by
adjusting the blower control outer dial. The fan will now
operate at a fixed speed until additional speeds are
selected. This allows the front occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the vehicle and cancel the
Auto mode.
The operator can also select the direction of the airflow
by selecting one of the following positions.
446 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:While operating in the other modes, the system
will not automatically sense the presence of fog, mist or
ice on the windshield. DEFROST mode must be manually
selected to clear the windshield and side glass.
Air Conditioning (A/C)
•
The Air Conditioning (A/C) button allows the operator to
manually activate or deactivate the air conditioning sys-
tem. When in A/C mode and the ATC is set to a cool
temperature, dehumidified air flows through the air
outlets. If Economy mode is desired, press the A/C
button to turn off the A/C mode in the ATC display and
deactivate the A/C system.
NOTE:
•
If the system is in Mix, Floor or Defrost Mode, the A/C
can be turned off, but the A/C system shall remain active
to prevent fogging of the windows.
•If fog or mist appears on the windshield or side glass,
select Defrost mode and increase blower speed.
Rear Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped
The rear ATC system has floor air outlets at the rear of the
right side sliding door, and overhead outlets at each
outboard rear seating position. The system provides
heated air through the floor outlets or cool, dehumidified
air through the headliner outlets.
The rear system temperature control is on the front ATC
panel located on the instrument panel.
Pressing the Rear Temperature Lock button on the front
ATC panel, illuminates a lock symbol in the rear display.
The rear temperature and air source are controlled from
the front ATC panel.
Rear second row occupants can only adjust the rear ATC
control when the Rear Temperature Lock button is turned off.
The rear ATC system is located in the headliner, near the
center of the vehicle.
448 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or high
humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired, you may
wish to recirculate interior air by pressing the
Recirculation control button. Recirculation mode
should only be used temporarily. The recirculation LED will
illuminate when this button is selected. Push the button a
second time to turn off the Recirculation mode LED and
allow outside air into the vehicle.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protectagainst engine overheating. A solution of 50% ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended, because it
may cause window fogging.
452 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF position. The key fob can only be removed from the
ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position,
and the shift lever is locked in PARK whenever the
ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF position.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key fob in the ignition switch to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key fob cannot be removed until you
obtain service.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the transmission
shifter in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the engine must be running
and the brake pedal must be pressed.
In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode
The Fuel Economy (ECON) mode can improve the vehi-
cle’s overall fuel economy during normal driving condi-
tions. Press the “econ” switch in the center stack of the
instrument panel and a green light will indicate the
ECON mode is engaged.
466 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
shift above third gear (except to prevent engine overspeed),
but will shift down into second and first gear normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate automatically, shift-
ing between all available gears. Tapping the shift lever to
the left (-) will activate ERS mode, display the current gear
in the instrument cluster, and maintain that gear as the top
available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping the shift lever to
the left (-) or right (+) will change the top available gear.
474 STARTING AND OPERATING