2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN engine overheat

CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, 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 main-
tain 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
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
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: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting and Operating” for further informa-
tion. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Off
switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
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 vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 451

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
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 transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the following
procedure to temporarily move the gear selector:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the
gear selector override access cover (located near the top
right of the gear selector in the instrument panel). 4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access
hole, and push and hold the override release lever
forward.
6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.
Gear Selector Override Access Cover
452 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!(Continued)
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded
fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device
and may seriously reduce engine performance and
cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems 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 specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
• 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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 467

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is over-
heated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an
overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up
in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury,
do not remove the pressure cap while the system is
hot or under pressure.
• Do not use a pressure cap other than the one speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is a
regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or
children, do not store ethylene glycol-based engine coolant
in open containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek emergency
assistance immediately. Clean up any ground spills imme-
diately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator/coolant pressure cap
unless checking for engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point
or replacing coolant. Advise your service attendant of this.
As long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory,
the coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, only OAT coolant that meets the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032 should
be added to the coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475

Customer Assistance........................506
Daytime Running Lights .....................174
Dealer Service ............................ .462
Defroster, Windshield ........................94
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ...................178
Diagnostic System, Onboard ...................460
Dimmer Control .......................... .174
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ....................479
Oil (Engine) ............................463
Power Steering ..........................356
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................453
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................475
Door Ajar ............................... .248
Door Ajar Light ............................248
Door Locks Door Locks ..............................26
KeyFob................................26
Remote ................................26
Remote Keyless Entry ......................26
Door Opener, Garage ........................197 Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water .................................354
Driving To Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .......264
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System) .....300, 303
E-85 Fuel ............................... .402
Economy (Fuel) Mode .......................346
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .207
Electric Remote Mirrors ..................... .104
Electronic Brake Control System ................359
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................360
Traction Control System ....................364
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........182
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............364
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........246
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .......259
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher ...................422
Jacking ............................433, 439
Jump

Starting .......................... .448
Overheating ............................422
Emission Control System Maintenance ............461
10
INDEX 515

EngineAir Cleaner ............................ .466
Block Heater ............................344
Break-In Recommendations ..................92
Checking Oil Level .......................463
Compartment .......................... .459
Compartment Identification .................459
Coolant (Antifreeze) ...................472, 496
Cooling ...............................472
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................93, 402
Flooded, Starting ........................ .343
Fuel Requirements ....................399, 495
Oil ............................463, 495, 496
Oil Filter ...............................465
Oil Selection ........................ .464, 495
Oil Synthetic ............................465
Overheating ............................422
Starting ...............................342
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .464
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................464
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ..........69, 454
Entry System, Illuminated .....................15
Ethanol ............................. .399, 402
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................93, 402
Exhaust System ........................ .93, 466Exterior Lights
..........................95, 491
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .466
Air Conditioning .....................337, 469
Engine Oil ..........................465, 496
Engine Oil Disposal .......................465
Flashers Hazard Warning ........................ .422
Turn Signal .......................95, 256, 493
Flash-To-Pass ............................ .177
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ..........................404
Engine Oil ............................ .403
Fuel Requir

ements ....................402, 403
Maintenance ............................404
Replacement Parts ........................404
Starting ...............................404
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .343
Floor Console ............................ .219
Fluid Capacities ............................495
Fluid Leaks ...............................96
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ....................479
Brake .................................477
516 INDEX

Oil Filter, Change..........................465
Oil Filter, Selection ..........................465
Oil Pressure Light ..........................246
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................460
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ...............197
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................102, 103
Overhead Console ..........................193
Overhead Travel Information Center .............193
Overheating, Engine ........................422
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,510
Paint Care ............................... .479
Panic Alarm ...............................18
Parking Brake ............................ .357
ParkSense System, Rear ..................... .185
Personal Settings .......................... .269
Pets .....................................91
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ........374, 375
Power Brakes ............................... .359
Door Locks ..............................28
Lift Gate ...............................39
Mirrors ............................... .104
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ............207Seats
.................................141
Sliding Door .............................34
Steering ...............................356
Sunroof ...............................204
Windows ...............................30
Power Seats Forward ...............................142
Rearward ............................. .142
Recline ............................... .143
Power Steering Fluid ........................498
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .................54
Preparation For Jacking ..................... .438
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................54
Programmable Electronic Features ...............269
Radial Ply Tires ............................381
Radiator Cap

(Coolant Pressure Cap) .............475
Radio 130 Operating Instructions Radio Mode ............276
Radio 130 With Satellite Radio Operating Instructions Radio Mode ............283
Radio Frequency General Information ..................13, 23, 26
Radio Operation .......................... .32210
INDEX 521