Dodge Caravan (2008 year). Manual

• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the

child closer to the center of the vehicle. If this doesn’t
help, move the child to the center rear seating position
and use the lap belt. Never allow a child to put the
shoulder belt under an arm or behind their back.

NOTE:

For

additional

information,

refer

www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEATCHECK

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.

• A rearward-facing child restraint should only be

used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.

• Occupants riding in Swivel ’n Go seating must be

wearing their seat belt and the seat must be locked
in either the forward or rearward position. Failure
to do so could result in serious injury or even
death.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:

• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.

• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s

weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.

• Carefully follow the instructions that come with the

restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.

• The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching

latch plates, which are designed to keep the lap
portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pulling up on the

shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten
the belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt
tight, however, any seat belt system will loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if
necessary.

• In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the

lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.

• If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and

pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Buckle the child into the seat according to the child

restraint manufacturer’s directions.

• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the

vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don’t leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.

Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle, except commercial cargo vehicles, is
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren. Two LATCH child restraint anchor-
age systems are installed on all second-row seats and in
the center position on all 3rd row fold-in-floor seats.
Second-row seats also feature tether strap anchorages,
located in the rear surface of the seatback. In addition, all
third row fold-in-floor seats are equipped with a child
restraint tether anchor at the center seating position.

When using the tether anchorages in the outboard seat-
ing positions, ensure that the strap is routed underneath
the top of the seatback and the head restraint.

LATCH Anchorages

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

When using the tether anchorages in the center position
on third row fold-in-floor seating, ensure that the strap is
routed underneath the top of the seatback and the head
restraint.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.

Child restraint systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the seatback tether anchorage have been available for
some time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers
will provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their
older products.

NOTE:

If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-

patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.

Rear Seat Tether Strap Mounting

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation in
vehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.

NOTE:

When using the LATCH attaching system to

install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.

Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the vehicle.

Installing the Child Restraint System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector and a means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints and some
rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.

In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
straps and tether straps so that you can more easily attach
the hook or connector to the lower anchorages and tether
anchorages. Then tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.

WARNING!

Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.

Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet could be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

REAR SEAT DELETE FEATURE (COMMERCIAL
VEHICLES ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED

Commercial cargo vehicles are not designed for use as a
family vehicle and are not intended for carrying children
in the front passenger seat. However, if you must carry a
child in a vehicle without a rear seat, the passenger seat
should be moved to the full rearward position and the
child must be in a proper restraint system based on it’s
age, size and weight. NEVER carry a child in a rear facing
infant carrier in a vehicle without rear seats. In an
accident, serious injury or death may occur from the
deploying passenger airbag.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

This vehicle is equipped with a child restraint tether
anchor located on the lower rear of the front passenger
seat. Use this tether anchor to secure only forward
facing child restraints equipped with an upper tether
strap.

WARNING!

Rearward-facing infant restraints must never be se-
cured in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a
passenger airbag. In an accident a passenger airbag
may deploy causing severe injury or death to infants
riding in rearward-facing infant restraints.

Restraining Infants and Small Children with Seat
Delete Feature (Commercial Vehicles Only)

There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Use the restraint that is
correct for your child:

• The rearward-facing infant carrier is for babies weigh-

ing up to about 20 lbs (9 kg), and less than one year
old. THIS TYPE OF SEAT CANNOT BE USED IN A

Commercial Child Restraint Tether Anchor

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE REAR SEAT DE-
LETE FEATURE (Commercial Vehicles Only).

• The forward-facing child seat is for children from

about 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg), and more than one year
old.

• A “convertible” child seat, one that is designed to be

used for children who are too heavy for a rearward-
facing infant seat, may be used IN THE FORWARD
FACING POSITION ONLY, IT MUST NEVER BE
INSTALLED FACING TO THE REAR IN A VEHICLE
EQUIPPED WITH THE REAR SEAT DELETE FEA-
TURE (Commercial Vehicles Only). When a convert-
ible seat is properly installed facing forward, the
vehicle seat should be adjusted to the rear most
position.

• Children more than 40 lbs (18 kg) should be secured in

the passenger seat in a child restraint or belt-
positioning booster seat with the seat adjusted to the

rear most position

. Older children who do not use

child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats
should ride properly buckled in the passenger seat
with the seat adjusted to the rear most position. Never
allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them
or under their arm.

Tether Installation For Commercial Vehicles With
Rear Seat Delete
To secure the child restraint upper tether strap to the
vehicle, follow the instructions shown:

1. Locate the child restraint tether anchor on the lower
rear of the front passenger seat.

2. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s directions
for proper use of connecting the child restraint to the
extended tether strap.

3. Route the tether strap under the head rest.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

Ensure that the child restraint tether strap is

centered between the headrest supports underneath the
head rest.

4. Using the hook attached to the child restraint tether
strap, attach the child restraint tether strap to the metal
anchor on the lower rear of the front passenger seat.

5. Following the child seat manufacturer’s instructions,
tighten the child restraint tether strap.

6. Inspect the tether anchor strap for nicks, abrasions,
discoloration, and loose threads. If these, or any other
condition that might effect the performance of the strap is
observed, DO NOT USE. Contact your authorized
DaimlerChrysler dealership for a replacement part.

WARNING!

The vehicle tether anchor is designed to be used with
a child restraint only. It should not be used for any
other purpose. Before use, inspect the tether anchor
strap for nicks, abrasions, discoloration, and loose
threads. If these or any other condition that might
effect the performance of the strap is observed, DO
NOT USE. Personal injury may result. Contact your
authorized DaimlerChrysler dealership for a replace-
ment part.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.

Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.

The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance

Procedures”

Section

NON-

DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST
NEVER BE USED.

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.

SAFETY TIPS

SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE INSIDE
THE VEHICLE

Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for four seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first turned
ON. If the LED is not lit during starting and/or the light
stays on or comes ON while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.

Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.

NOTE:

If the defroster is not working or you are unable

to feel air against the windshield in defrost mode, please
see your authorized dealer service center for repairs.

PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE

Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.

Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.

Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.

Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.

If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.

WARNING!

If you are required to drive with the deck lid / liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

m Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

▫ Manual Rear View Day/Night Mirror —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

▫ Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

m Hands-Free Communication (UConnectt) —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

▫ Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
▫ Phone Call Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
▫ UConnectt System Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
▫ Advanced Phone Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

▫ Things You Should Know About Your

UConnect

t System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

m Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

▫ Manual Front And Second Row Seat

Adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

▫ Stow ’n Go Seating — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 138
▫ Swivel ’n Go Premium Seating —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

m Driver Memory Seat — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 155

▫ Setting Memory Positions And Linking RKE

Transmitter To Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

m To Open And Close The Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

▫ Hood Safety Switch — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 159

m Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

▫ Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
▫ Exterior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

m Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

▫ Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

m Tilt Steering Column — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 171
m Rear Park Assist System — If Equipped . . . . . . . 171

▫ Rear Park Assist Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

m Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . 177

m Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped . . . . . . 179

▫ Activating Electronic Speed Control . . . . . . . . 179

m Overhead Consoles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

▫ Front Overhead Console — If Equipped . . . . . 182

m Garage Door Opener — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 185

▫ Programming HomeLinkt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
▫ Gate Operator/Canadian Programming . . . . . 190
▫ Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
▫ Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

m Power Sunroof — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

▫ Power Sunroof Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

m Electrical Power Outlets — If Equipped . . . . . . . 195

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫ Power Inverter — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
▫ Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off . . . . . . . 198

m Sun Screens— If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
m Cup Holders And Convenience Tray Drawer . . . 200

▫ Instrument Panel Cup Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
▫ Interior Bottle Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ Smokers Package Kit — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 201

m Console Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

▫ Basic Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ Premium Console – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . 203

m Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

▫ Glove Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

▫ Door Trim Panel Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
▫ Second Row Floor Storage Bins —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

▫ Removing The Floor Console With Stow ’n Go

Seating — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

▫ Rear Compartment Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
▫ Coat Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
▫ Cargo Area Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

m Roof Luggage Rack — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 215
m Umbrella Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
m Load-Leveling System — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 218

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Caravan (2008 year). Manual - part 6