flat tire DODGE CALIBER 2006 1.G User Guide

Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
²Driving style
²Tire pressure
²Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on
ªTread Wear Indicatorsº). Refer to the ªTire and Loading
Informationº placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) -
PREMIUM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Operation
This system uses wireless technology with wheel rim
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module. The wheel sensors monitor tire pressure and
status for all four active road tires.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
²Receiver Module
²Wheel Sensors (attached to each wheel through the
valve stem mounting hole)
²Wheel Sensor Trigger Modules (mounted in three of
the four wheel wells)
²Various Tire Pressure Monitoring System Messages,
which display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)
²Yellow Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warnings have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light is located in
the instrument cluster. The light will illuminate and an
audible chime will sound when one or more of the tires
on your vehicle are significantly under-inflated. The
audible chime will sound once every ignition cycle for
each condition that it detects.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages:
NOTE:Your system can be set to display pressure units
in PSI, kPA or BAR.
Should this occur, you should stop as soon as possible,
check the inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle,
and inflate each tire to the pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer. Once the proper tire pressure is set,the TPMS warning will reset automatically after driving
the vehicle for at least 2 minutes at or above 15 mph (24
km/h).
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent
moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem,
which could damage the wheel rim sensor.
NOTE:
²
The TPMS monitors the four active road tires on the
vehicle, and can inform the driver of a low tire
pressure condition, including low temperature effects.
²It is particularly important that you check the inflation
pressure of each tire on your vehicle, including the
spare (if provided), monthly when the tires are cold.
Inflate each tire to the pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer. Tire inflation pressure informa-
tion is found on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label.
Low Tire Pressure Display
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
5

²The TPMS does not monitor the temporary spare tire.
²The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
²Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
²The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition. It is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light.
Check TPM System Message
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will
flash on and off for 60 seconds and an audible
chime will sound when a system fault is detected.
The flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes, without an
audible chime until the fault condition no longer exists.The EVIC will display the ªCHECK TPM SYSTEMº
message for 3 seconds. In addition, a graphic will be
displayed indicating which of the Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing Sensor(s) is not being received.
If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault
no longer exists, the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light will no longer flash, and the9CHECK TPM SYS-
TEM9text message will no longer display.
Check TPM System Display
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. Always, block or9chock9the
trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
þProper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires±General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires±General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
þWhen replacing tires refer to the Tires±General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5

WARNING!
To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with any sharp
edges.
NOTE:The wheel cover is held on the wheel by the
wheel nuts. When reinstalling original wheel, properly
align the wheel cover to the valve stem, place the wheel
cover onto the wheel, then install the wheel nuts.
7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
8. Finish tightening the nuts. Push down on the wrench
while tightening the wheel nuts. Alternate nuts until each
nut has been tightened twice. Correct wheel nut torque is
100 ft. lbs (135 N´m). If you doubt that you have
tightened the nuts correctly, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
9. Remove the wheel blocks and lower the jack until it is
free. Reassemble the lug wrench to the jack assembly and
stow it in the spare tire area. Secure the assembly using
the means provided.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
10. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area,have the
tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.
11. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 233
6

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
236 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
306 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Brake Fluid........................... 280
Brake, Parking......................... 183
Brake System.......................185,260
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................86,186
Hoses.............................. 261
Master Cylinder...................... 262
Parking............................ 183
Warning Light....................... 117
Brakes............................185,260
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 177
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 59
Bulb Replacement...................272,273
Bulbs, Light........................... 272
Calibration, Compass.................... 127
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 278
Capacities, Fluid....................... 278
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 214
Oil (Engine)......................241,247
Car Washes........................... 266
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 213
Cargo Area Cover....................... 98Cargo Area Features..................... 96
Cargo Compartment
Light............................... 96
Luggage Carrier...................... 102
Cargo Light............................ 96
Cargo Load Floor....................... 99
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 99
Carrier, Luggage....................... 102
Catalytic Converter..................... 249
Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 60
CD (Compact Disc) Player..........129,136,147
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance...... 163
Cellular Phone......................... 163
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 277
Chains, Tire........................... 209
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 230
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 191
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 243
Child Restraint......................... 52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 56
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts......... 55
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
INDEX 309
10

Drive Belts............................ 249
Driver's Seat Back Tilt.................... 71
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 236
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 67
Electrical Power Outlets................... 93
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 83
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)........... 88
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 119
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 230
Jump Starting........................ 234
Towing............................. 238
Emission Control System Maintenance....243,282
Engine............................... 241
Break-In Recommendations............... 59
Checking Oil Level.................245,248
Cooling............................ 256
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 213
Fuel Requirements.................... 211
Jump Starting........................ 234
Oil .......................245,248,278,279Oil Change Interval................... 246
Oil Filler Cap.....................241,247
Oil Filter............................ 279
Oil Selection......................... 247
Oil Synthetic......................... 247
Overheating......................... 228
Temperature Gauge.................... 111
Event Data Recorder..................... 50
Exhaust Gas Caution.............27,60,213,255
Exhaust System........................ 255
Filler Location Fuel...................... 111
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
Engine Fuel......................... 251
Engine Oil.......................248,279
Flashers.............................. 228
Hazard Warning...................... 228
Turn Signal.......................... 274
Flat Tire Stowage....................... 233
Flooded Engine Starting.................. 175
Fluid, Brake........................... 280
Fluid Capacities........................ 278
INDEX 311
10