parking brake DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

identify a particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be
treated confidentially. Confidential data will not be dis-
closed by DaimlerChrysler to any third party except
when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved.
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler product.
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant.
4. Otherwise required by law.
Data parameters that may be recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system.
•Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped).
•Ti m eof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage).
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable).
•Impact acceleration and angle.
•Seat belt status.
•Brake status (service and parking brakes).
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed).
•Engine control status (including engine speed).
•Transmission gear selection.
•Cruise control status.
•Traction/stability control status.
•Tire pressure monitoring system status.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

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 the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid,
transmission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
2

Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch
Push the Multifunction Control Lever away from you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Push the Multi-
function Control Lever away from you again to switch
the headlights back to LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multifunction Control Lever toward
you. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the Multifunction Control
Lever is released.
NOTE:If the Multifunction Control Lever is held in the
flash-to-pass position for more than 15 seconds, the high
beams will shut off. If this occurs, wait 30 seconds for the
next flash-to-pass operation.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) — If Equipped
Functionality
The high beam lights will come on as Daytime Running
Lights (DRL), at DRL intensity (lower), whenever the
ignition is on, the engine is running, the headlight switch
is off, the parking brake is off, the turn signal is off, and
the shift lever is in any position except PARK.High Beam Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

When lit solid:There is an AWD system fault. AWD
performance will be at a reduced level. Service the AWD
system soon.
When blinking:The AWD system is temporarily dis-
abled due to overload condition.
25. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is require; however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
ON position, but do not start the vehicle. The light
should come on. If the light does not come on, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
26. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
27. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, in-
cluding brake fluid level and parking brake appli-
cation. If the brake light turns on, it may indicate that the
172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

parking brake is applied, there is a low brake fluid level
or there is a problem with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake System Warning Light which will
turn on when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder
has dropped below a specified level.
The Brake System Warning Light will remain on until the
cause is corrected.
NOTE:The Brake System Warning Light may flash
momentarily during sharp cornering maneuvers which
change fluid level conditions. The vehicle should have
service performed, and the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the Brake System Warning
Light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system may
have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle.
You could have an accident. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.
Vehicles equipped with ABS, are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). In the event of
an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light will turn on
along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair to the ABS
system is required.
The operation of the Brake System Warning Light can be
checked by turning the ignition switch from the OFF
position to the ON position. The light should illuminate
for approximately two seconds. The light should then
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
4

turn off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake
fault is detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
The Brake System Warning Light will also turn on when
the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
28. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Button — If Equipped
Pushing this button will switch between the different
EVIC functions.29. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display — If
Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages.
30. Transmission Over Temp Light — If Equipped
During sustained high speed driving on hot
days, the automatic transaxle oil may become
too hot. If this happens, the transmission over-
heat indicator light will come on and the
vehicle will slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to the requested
speed. If the high speed is maintained, the overheating
will reoccur as before in a cyclic fashion.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Downshifting........................243

All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped.......244

Parking Brake.........................244

Brake System..........................246
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................247

Power Steering........................250

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............251
▫Acceleration.........................251
▫Traction............................251

Driving Through Water..................252
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................252
▫Shallow Standing Water.................252
Tire Safety Information...................254
▫Tire Markings........................254
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........257
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........258

Tires — General Information...............262
▫Tire Pressure.........................262
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................263
▫Radial Ply Tires......................265
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........266
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped.........266
▫Tire Spinning........................267
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................268
▫LifeOfTire .........................268
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NOTE:If the key won’t turn and the steering wheel is
locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve
pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the
key.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
5

Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the shift lever out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC position. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the shift lever out of
PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of PARK. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov-
able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
allows you to insert your finger to override the system. If
this occurs, obtain service as soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON position, and
the brake pedal is depressed.NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped, but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
PARK
This supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, and then place the
shift lever into the PARK position.
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5

WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key
is removed from the ignition, the transmission shift
lever is locked in the PARK position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave unattended children inside a
vehicle.The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the
PARK position:
•When shifting into PARK firmly move the shift lever
all the way forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the shifter bezel
to ensure it is in the PARK position.
•You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the PARK position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must
turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to the steering column or shift lever could result.
You must also depress the brake pedal.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING