automatic transmission DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to “Maintenance”, Section 7 of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to therequested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
304 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent
personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of
the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmis-
sion in park; a manual transmission in reverse.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting
this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of
motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely stowed,
spares must be stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
•Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
Jack Warning Label
306 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact. You could be seriously
injured.
NOTE: Disconnecting the battery with the ignition in
the ON position will cause vehicles with an automatic
transaxle (CVT2) to go into “default mode” and turn on
the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). See your autho-
rized dealer to correct this condition.1. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place the
automatic transmission in PARK (the manual transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL) and turn the ignition to OFF for both
vehicles.
2. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
3. Using the two finger screws on the cover, remove the
air intake duct covering the battery.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dis-
charged battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 311
6

WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transaxle.
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.
NOTE:Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contami-
nate 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
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 343
7

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-
turer’s 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” in Section 8 of this
manual for the correct change interval.
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.
Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
under Section 8.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16 in (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs.30,000 50 000 30
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow
plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service
(commercial service), off-road, desert operation or
more then 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).48,000 80 000 48
Change Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
368 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter. 120,000 200 000 120
Replace Accessory Drive Belt(s). 120,000 200 000 120
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 369
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Service Assistance....................... 373
Service Contract......................... 375
Service Manuals........................ 377
Setting the Clock................187,189,197,210
Settings, Personal........................ 179
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle.............. 243
Shoulder Belts........................... 36
Side Airbag............................. 54
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters).......... 227
Signals, Turn........................... 356
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 251
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 279
Snow Tires............................ 279
Spare Tire..........................266,305
Spark Plugs............................ 326
Specifications
Oil ................................ 324
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........126,170
Speedometer........................... 164Speedometer and Odometer................ 162
Starting............................... 233
Automatic Transmission................. 233
Engine Fails to Start.................... 234
Manual Transmission................... 233
Starting Procedures...................... 233
Steering
Power...........................250,332
TiltColumn .......................... 125
Wheel Lock........................... 15
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................. 217
Storage............................... 355
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 312
Sun Roof.............................. 141
Sun Visor Extension....................... 80
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 48
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 325
System, Navigation...................... 210
INDEX 395
10

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
10