2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN heating

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
lower center area of the instrument panel.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE:With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 561

CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE while gently pressing the accelerator. Use
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will
maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE:Press the#ESC Off#switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in#Partial Off#mode
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the
#ESC Off#switch again to restore#ESC On#mode.
598 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 599

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
618 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Jump Starting..........................594
Overheating...........................561
Emission Control System Maintenance..........609
Engine
Air Cleaner...........................615
Block Heater..........................462
Break-In Recommendations................120
Checking Oil Level......................612
Compartment..........................607
Compartment Identification................607
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................624
Cooling..............................624
Exhaust Gas Caution.....................121
Flooded, Starting.......................460
Fuel Requirements......................531
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..612
Oil Selection...........................613
Oil Synthetic..........................615
Overheating...........................561
Starting..............................459
Temperature Gauge......................322
Engine Oil Viscosity.......................614
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart...................614
Enhanced Accident Response Feature............91
Entry System, Illuminated....................20
Ethanol................................532
Event Data Recorder........................95
Exhaust Gas Caution.......................121
Exhaust System...........................121
Exterior Lights...........................125
Fabric Care..............................638
Filler Location Fuel........................318
Filters
Air Cleaner...........................615
Air Conditioning.......................452
Engine Oil............................615
Engine Oil Disposal.....................61510
INDEX 685

Filter Disposal.........................615
Identification Logo......................614
Materials Added to......................615
Recommendation.......................613
Synthetic.............................615
Viscosity.............................614
Oil Filter, Selection........................615
Onboard Diagnostic System..................608
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®)............256
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual).............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors...................133
Overhead Console.........................252
Overhead Travel Information Center............252
Overheating, Engine.......................322
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).............4
Paint Care..............................635
Panic Alarm..............................25
Parking Brake............................480
ParkSense® System, Rear....................240
Personal Settings..........................342
Pets, Transporting.........................120
Placard, Tire and Loading Information..........503
Power
Brakes...............................482
Door Locks............................36
Lift Gate..............................53
Mirrors..............................136
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)...........269
Seats................................185
Sliding Door...........................45
Steering..............................478
Sunroof..............................266
Windows..............................39
Power Steering Fluid.......................659
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts................72
Preparation for Jacking.....................582
Pretensioners
692 INDEX