🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Dodge Model: Grand Caravan Year: 2008 Trim Level: All Trims (implied by general owner's manual) Market: North America (implied by 'U.S.only' mention for safety defects) 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Minivan Target Audience: Families, individuals requiring versatile passenger and cargo space Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Ford Freestar/Windstar, Chevrolet Uplander, Kia Sedona, Hyundai Entourage Key Features Versatility: Flexible seating and cargo configurations (Stow 'n Go seating likely a key feature for this generation) Comfort: Focus on passenger comfort for longer journeys Practicality: Designed for everyday family use, errands, and road trips 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Primary Coverage: Vehicle operation, maintenance, safety, features Secondary Coverage: Basic troubleshooting, fluid specifications, capacities, part numbers (for common items mentioned) Page Count Estimated Page Count: Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for a comprehensive owner's manual of this era) Manual Type Type: Owner's Manual Language Language: English Format Format: Digital PDF 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain: Engine operation, fuel, lubrication, cooling system basics Chassis: Brakes (basic operation), steering (basic operation) Electrical: Instrument cluster, lighting systems, battery, basic electrical features Body Interior: Door locks, security, seating, safety restraints, climate controls, entertainment systems Procedures Included Routine Maintenance: Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), checking tire pressure, air filter inspection/replacement guidance Basic Operation: Starting and operating the vehicle, using climate controls, operating lights, locks, and windows, adjusting seats and restraints, understanding instrument cluster warnings Emergency Procedures: Changing a tire (implied by cargo/spare tire sections), jump starting (implied by battery section), basic troubleshooting guidance Technical Depth Depth: Owner-level understanding and basic maintenance. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions. Focus is on operation and responsible ownership. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format Compatibility: Requires a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or equivalent. Searchability: Likely searchable text within the PDF, depending on the digitization quality of the original source. Print Quality Quality: Dependent on original source. Digital format allows for clear viewing on screen. Printing quality depends on the user's printer. Binding Type Type: Not Applicable (Digital PDF) Paper Type Type: Not Applicable (Digital PDF) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Type: 3.3L V6 (e.g., EGD, EGE) Displacement: 3.3 Liters (3301 cc) Horsepower: Approximately 180-190 hp @ 5000-5200 rpm (estimates for this engine) Torque: Approximately 220-230 lb-ft @ 3200-3400 rpm (estimates for this engine) Optional Engine Engine Type: 3.8L V6 (e.g., EGH) Displacement: 3.8 Liters (3778 cc) Horsepower: Approximately 190-205 hp @ 4800-5000 rpm (estimates for this engine) Torque: Approximately 230-240 lb-ft @ 3400-3600 rpm (estimates for this engine) Engine Type 2: 4.0L V6 (e.g., SOHC) Displacement 2: 4.0 Liters (3952 cc) Horsepower 2: Approximately 205 hp @ 4800 rpm (estimates for this engine) Torque 2: Approximately 240 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm (estimates for this engine) Fuel System System: Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) Fuel Information Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline Octane Rating: 87 octane (recommended) Engine Compartment Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD) 🔧 Transmission Standard Type: 4-speed automatic transmission Optional Type: Not applicable, typically one automatic transmission option per engine for this era/model. Features Gear Selection: Driver-selectable 'Low' gear for engine braking or towing assist Fluid Specifications Fluid Type: ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid) Refill Capacity Capacity: Approximately 3.5-4.5 quarts (dry fill might be higher) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length: Approximately 191.7 inches Width: Approximately 75.2 inches Height: Approximately 68.7 inches Wheelbase Wheelbase: Approximately 119.2 inches Weights Curb Weight: Approximately 4,200 - 4,500 lbs (depending on engine and configuration) Cargo Cargo Volume Behind 3Rd Row: Approximately 16.2 - 39.6 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration) Cargo Volume Behind 2Nd Row: Approximately 75.7 - 90.5 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration) Cargo Volume Behind 1St Row: Approximately 120.5 - 140.5 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration) 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Front Impact: Likely 4-star for driver and passenger (based on typical ratings for this model year) IIHS Side Impact: Good or Acceptable (depending on specific test and year) Active Features ABS: Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Traction Control: Available Traction Control System (TCS) Passive Features Airbags: Front airbags (driver and passenger), available front side-impact airbags Seat Belts: 3-point seat belts for all seating positions, pretensioners for front seats Child Anchors: LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for child seats Safety Defects Reporting: Provides information on reporting safety defects in the U.S. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Standard AM/FM radio with CD player, available premium audio systems, satellite radio capability. Rear Seat Entertainment: Available DVD player with integrated screen Driver Assistance Parking Sensors: Available rear parking assist system Connectivity Auxiliary Input: Available auxiliary audio input for external devices 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change: Approximately every 3,000-5,000 miles or 6 months, depending on driving conditions (refer to manual for specific guidance). Tire Rotation: Typically every 5,000-7,500 miles Air Filter Replacement: Approximately...
Starting and operating the vehicle, using climate controls, operating lights, locks, and windows, adjusting seats and restraints, understanding instrument cluster warnings
Emergency Procedures:
Changing a tire (implied by cargo/spare tire sections), jump starting (implied by battery section), basic troubleshooting guidance
Technical Depth
Depth:
Owner-level understanding and basic maintenance. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions. Focus is on operation and responsible ownership.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
Compatibility:
Requires a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or equivalent.
Searchability:
Likely searchable text within the PDF, depending on the digitization quality of the original source.
Print Quality
Quality:
Dependent on original source. Digital format allows for clear viewing on screen. Printing quality depends on the user's printer.
Binding Type
Type:
Not Applicable (Digital PDF)
Paper Type
Type:
Not Applicable (Digital PDF)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Type:
3.3L V6 (e.g., EGD, EGE)
Displacement:
3.3 Liters (3301 cc)
Horsepower:
Approximately 180-190 hp @ 5000-5200 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Torque:
Approximately 220-230 lb-ft @ 3200-3400 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Optional Engine
Engine Type:
3.8L V6 (e.g., EGH)
Displacement:
3.8 Liters (3778 cc)
Horsepower:
Approximately 190-205 hp @ 4800-5000 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Torque:
Approximately 230-240 lb-ft @ 3400-3600 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Engine Type 2:
4.0L V6 (e.g., SOHC)
Displacement 2:
4.0 Liters (3952 cc)
Horsepower 2:
Approximately 205 hp @ 4800 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Torque 2:
Approximately 240 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm (estimates for this engine)
Fuel System
System:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Information
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Octane Rating:
87 octane (recommended)
Engine Compartment
Layout:
Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD)
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Type:
4-speed automatic transmission
Optional
Type:
Not applicable, typically one automatic transmission option per engine for this era/model.
Features
Gear Selection:
Driver-selectable 'Low' gear for engine braking or towing assist
Fluid Specifications
Fluid Type:
ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid)
Refill Capacity
Capacity:
Approximately 3.5-4.5 quarts (dry fill might be higher)
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length:
Approximately 191.7 inches
Width:
Approximately 75.2 inches
Height:
Approximately 68.7 inches
Wheelbase
Wheelbase:
Approximately 119.2 inches
Weights
Curb Weight:
Approximately 4,200 - 4,500 lbs (depending on engine and configuration)
Cargo
Cargo Volume Behind 3Rd Row:
Approximately 16.2 - 39.6 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration)
Cargo Volume Behind 2Nd Row:
Approximately 75.7 - 90.5 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration)
Cargo Volume Behind 1St Row:
Approximately 120.5 - 140.5 cubic feet (depending on seating configuration)
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Front Impact:
Likely 4-star for driver and passenger (based on typical ratings for this model year)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good or Acceptable (depending on specific test and year)
Active Features
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Available Traction Control System (TCS)
Passive Features
Airbags:
Front airbags (driver and passenger), available front side-impact airbags
Seat Belts:
3-point seat belts for all seating positions, pretensioners for front seats
Child Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for child seats
Safety Defects
Reporting:
Provides information on reporting safety defects in the U.S.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM radio with CD player, available premium audio systems, satellite radio capability.
Rear Seat Entertainment:
Available DVD player with integrated screen
Driver Assistance
Parking Sensors:
Available rear parking assist system
Connectivity
Auxiliary Input:
Available auxiliary audio input for external devices
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change:
Approximately every 3,000-5,000 miles or 6 months, depending on driving conditions (refer to manual for specific guidance).
Tire Rotation:
Typically every 5,000-7,500 miles
Air Filter Replacement:
Approximately every 15,000-30,000 miles or as needed based on inspection.
Spark Plugs:
Varies by engine, but typically in the 60,000-100,000 mile range for modern engines of this era.
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil:
SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30 synthetic blend or synthetic oil (API Certified)
Coolant:
Chrysler HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant, typically a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3
Power Steering Fluid:
Refer to manual for specific type (likely Mopar Power Steering Fluid or equivalent)
Refill Capacities
Engine Oil:
Approximately 4.5-5.5 quarts (depending on engine)
Coolant System:
Approximately 10-12 quarts (depending on engine and radiator size)
Known Issues
Common Complaints:
Transmission issues (hard shifts, slipping), suspension wear (struts, ball joints), HVAC blower motor failure, power window motor failure, occasional oil leaks.
Part Numbers
Oil Filter Example:
e.g., Mopar MO-899 (or equivalent FRAM, Purolator part numbers)
Air Filter Example:
e.g., Mopar AF276810AA (or equivalent FRAM, Wix part numbers)
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Dodge Legacy:
Dodge has a long history in automotive manufacturing, known for performance and utility vehicles. The Grand Caravan represents their strong presence in the minivan segment.
Model Evolution
Generation:
This 2008 model is part of the fourth generation (2001-2007) or a carry-over/facelifted version of it, depending on the exact market introduction timing for the '08 model year.
Key Innovations Of Generation:
Stow 'n Go seating, integrated rear-seat entertainment systems, advanced safety features for its time.