weight DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G User Guide

VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Rear Seat Occupants....................... 3
Luggage....................... 175lbs(80kg)
Vehicle Rated Capacity............ 925lbs(420 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes the weight of your vehicle, the driver,
passengers, cargo and trailer tongue weight. The total
load must be limited so that you do not exceed the
GVWR.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
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Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the
trailer in itsloaded and ready for operationcondition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the
total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when
weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings in-
clude a 68 kg (150 lbs) allowance for the presence of a
driver).
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either the front
or rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The Tongue Weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less
than 10% or more than 15% of the trailer load. You must
consider this as part of the load on your vehicle.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

Frontal Area
The Frontal Area is the maximum height and maximum
width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The Trailer Sway Control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the truck. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they’re commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing hitch system works by applying
leverage through spring (load) bars. They are typically
used for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight
to the tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s).
When used in accordance with the manufacturer’s direc-
tions, it provides for a more level ride, offering more
consistent steering and brake control and thereby en-
hancing towing safety. The addition of a friction/
hydraulic sway control also dampens sway caused by
traffic and crosswinds, contributing positively to tow
vehicle and trailer stability. Trailer sway control and a
weight distributing (load equalizing) hitch are recom-
mended for heavier Tongue Weights (TW) and may be
required depending on Vehicle and Trailer
configuration/loading to comply with GAWR require-
ments.
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Installing A Trailer Hitch
NOTE:If you install a trailer hitch after you purchase
the vehicle, you must install a Moparspare tire hold
down kit. The kit will allow you to properly secure the
spare tire and jack assembly.
WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle without a properly se-
cured tire and jack assembly. Any loose items may be
thrown forward in a collision or hard stop and strike
occupants, causing serious or fatal injury.
Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the Maximum GTW towable
for your given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)
ClassI-LightDuty 2,000lbs(907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note 1)
2.0L Auto 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
1.8L Manual 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto/Man with
Trailer Tow Prep Package
(AHC)32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 2000 lbs (907 kg) 300 lbs (136 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
Note 1 – The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire–Safety
Information” under “Starting and Operating” in Section
5.
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the GTW
on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads balanced over the
wheels or heavier in the rear can cause the trailer to sway
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severelyfrom side-to-side which will cause loss of con-
trol of vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier
in front is the cause of many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information
placard” under “Tire Safety Information” in Section 5 of
this manual for the maximum combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo for your vehicle.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles 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
PARK. With a manual transmission, shift the transmis-
sion into REVERSE. Always block orchockthe trailer
wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW3. 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 — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
“Tires–General Information” section of this manual
under Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation proce-
dures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 281
Gasoline (Fuel).......................281,360
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 282
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 164
Fuel................................ 164
Odometer........................... 168
Tachometer.......................... 165
Gearshift.............................. 237
General Information................. 18,107,279
General Maintenance..................... 322
Glass Cleaning.......................... 350
Glove Compartment...................... 154
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 288
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 287
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™).............. 80Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 252
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 302
Head Restraints......................... 110
Headlights............................ 355
Cleaning............................ 349
High Beam........................121,172
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 121
Passing............................. 121
Replacing............................ 355
Switch .............................. 118
Heated Seats........................... 111
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 290
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 134
Hood Release.......................... 115
Hoses................................ 340
388 INDEX

Tachometer............................ 165
Taillights.............................. 356
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......164,303
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 64
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 19
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 150
Tilt Steering Column..................... 125
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 258
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 257
Tire Markings.......................... 254
Tire Safety Information.................... 254
Tires ............................ 71,262,379
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 268
Air Pressure.......................... 262
Alignment........................... 270
Chains.............................. 279
Changing............................ 304
Compact Spare........................ 266Flat Changing........................ 309
General Information.................... 262
High Speed.......................... 265
Inflation Pressures..................... 263
Jacking............................. 304
LifeofTires .......................... 268
Load Capacity.....................258,259
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 271
Quality Grading....................... 379
Radial.............................. 265
Replacement......................... 269
Rotation............................. 280
Safety...........................254,262
Sizes ............................... 255
Snow Tires........................... 279
Spare Tire........................... 305
Spinning ............................ 267
Tread Wear Indicators................... 268
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 291
396 INDEX

Towing ............................... 287
24-Hour Towing Assistance................ 93
Disabled Vehicle....................... 313
Guide .............................. 291
Recreational.......................... 299
Weight .............................. 291
Towing Assistance........................ 93
Traction.............................. 251
TrailerTowing .......................... 287
Cooling System Tips.................... 298
Hitches............................. 290
Minimum Requirements................. 293
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 291
Wiring .............................. 296
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 291
TrailerWeight .......................... 291
Transaxle............................. 235
Automatic.................... 13,233,235,343
Autostick............................ 239Manual........................ 12,233,242
Operation........................... 235
Overdrive........................... 239
Selection of Lubricant................... 343
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 166
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................. 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 134
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................. 23
Transporting Pets........................ 68
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 268
Trip Odometer.......................... 168
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 170
Turn Signals......................120,171,356
UConnect™ (Hands-Free Phone).............. 80
Understanding Your Instrument Panel......... 161
INDEX 397
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