2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN automatic transmission

NOTE:
•Channel/Screen 1 select mode information is shown
on the left side of the screen.
•Channel/Screen 2 select mode information is shown
on the right side of the screen.
•The VES™ will retain the last setting when turned off.
Using The Touchscreen Radio Controls
1. Press the MENU button on the radio faceplate.
2. Press the Rear VES™ button on the touchscreen to
display the Rear VES™ Controls. If a channel list is
displayed, press the HIDE LIST button on the touch-
screen to display the Rear VES™ Controls screen.
3. Press the 1 or 2 button on the touchscreen and then the
VES™ Disc button on the touchscreen in the VES™
column. To exit press the back arrow button at the top
left of the screen.
NOTE:
•To view a Blu-ray™ Disc on the radio, press the
RADIO/MEDIA button on the radio faceplate, then
press the VES™ Disc tab button on the touchscreen
and then the VIEW VIDEO button on the touchscreen.
•Viewing a Blu-ray™ Disc on the Touchscreen radio
screen is not available in all states/provinces. If avail-
able, the vehicle must be stopped and the shift lever
must be in the PARK position for vehicles with an
automatic transmission. In vehicles with a manual
transmission the parking brake must be engaged.
Listen To An Audio Source While A Video Is
Playing
Ensure the Remote Control and Headphone switch are on
the same channel. If watching a video on Screen 1
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 397

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................459
▫Automatic Transmission................459
▫Normal Starting.......................460
▫Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or−29°C)................460
▫If The Engine Fails To Start..............460
▫After Starting........................462
!ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .462
!AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............462
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............464
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .464
▫Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode.............465
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission.........466
▫Gear Ranges.........................467
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........475
▫Acceleration.........................475
▫Traction............................475
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............476
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................476
▫Shallow Standing Water.................476
5

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 and do not leave
the ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN Mode. 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 459

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.
3. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure
(Steps 1–3 above).
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or−29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If The Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver’s side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap
that is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
462 STARTING AND OPERATING

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever
out of PARK (Refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Inter-
lock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
Shift Lever
466 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVE (D)
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 all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to#Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Operation#in this section for further information)
to select a lower gear range. Under these conditions,
using a lower gear range will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). During extremely cold tempera-
tures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be
limited to third gear only. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable
level.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 471

Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the
transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 4 (fourth gear), the transmission will
not shift above fourth gear (except to prevent engine
overspeed), but will shift through the lower gears nor-
mally.
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,
shifting 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.
To exit ERS mode, simply hold the shift lever to the right
(+) until “D” is once again displayed in the instrument
cluster.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 473