check engine DODGE CALIBER 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. 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
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant 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
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the coolant in the bottle should be
between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown on the
bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant 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 coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vaporcoming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid which has been formulated with special metal to
metal friction coefficient additives to provide the proper
steel belt traction on the drive and driven pulleys. Refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid will cause belt slip and
result in a complete transmission failure! Refer to
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked only by a trained technician.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule located if section 8 of
this manual for the correct change interval for your type
of driving.
Special Additives
Do not add any materials (other than leak detection dyes)
to Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT) Fluid
(CVTF+4). CVTF+4 is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 301
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NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or 60 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
Second is Schedule“A”. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
uleB.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add, if
required.
Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 321
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•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake/
clutch master cylinder, and manual transaxle and add
as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level (if
equipped).
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
CAUTION!
Do not check the automatic transaxle fluid. It must
be check by a trained service technician every 15,000
miles and if required only the recommended fluid
be added. Refer to the section “Fluids, Lubricants
And Genuine Parts” for the proper fluid.
322 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000
(Kilometers) (5 000 ) (10 000 ) (15 000) (20 000) (25 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, or at 3
months whichever comes first.X X XXX
Rotate tires. X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XX
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
324 SCHEDULE “B”
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Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (30 000) (35 000) (40 000) (45 000) (50 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, or at 3
months whichever comes first.X X XXX
Rotate tires. X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XXX
Inspect brake linings. X
Replace air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.**X
SCHEDULE “B” 325
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Miles 33,000 36,000 39, 000 42,000 45,000
(Kilometers) (55 000) (60 000) (65 000) (70 000) (75 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, or at 3
months whichever comes first.X X XXX
Rotate tires. X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XX
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
326 SCHEDULE “B”
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Miles 48,000 51,000 54,000 57,000 60,000
(Kilometers) (80 000) (85 000) (90 000) (95 000) (100 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, or at 3
months whichever comes first.X X XXX
Change Automatic Transaxle (CVT) Fluid and Filter X
Change Manual Transaxle Fluid. X
Change Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) fluid. X
Change Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid. X
Rotate tires. X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XXX
Inspect brake linings. X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.**X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, or
102,000 miles (170 000 km) whichever comes first.X
SCHEDULE “B” 327
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Miles 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000 75,000
(Kilometers) (105 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000) (125 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, or at 3
months whichever comes first.X X XXX
Rotate tires. X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.XX
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary.X
328 SCHEDULE “B”
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