maintenance DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................73
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 157
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 229
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................301
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 315
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 363
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................371
10INDEX....................................................................381
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INTRODUCTION
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index at the back of this manual contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual.
4 INTRODUCTION

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
Refer to “Engine Oil” under “Maintenance Procedures”
in Section 7. NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MIN-
ERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO follow
the safety tips below.
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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▫Opening Sunroof — Manual.............142
▫Opening Sunroof — Express Mode.........142
▫Closing Sunroof — Manual..............142
▫Closing Sunroof — Express Mode..........142
▫Pinch Protect Feature...................142
▫Pinch Protect Override.................143
▫Venting Sunroof — Express..............143
▫Sunshade Operation...................143
▫Wind Buffeting.......................143
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................144
▫Ignition Off Operation..................144

Electrical Power Outlets..................144
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......146
Console Features.......................146

Cargo Area Features.....................147
▫Cargo Light/Removable Self-Recharging
Flashlight – If Equipped................147
▫Tonneau Cover — If Equipped............149
▫Removable Load Floor..................150
▫Cargo Tie-Down Loops.................150
▫Fold Down Speakers – If Equipped.........151

Rear Window Features...................152
▫Rear Window Wiper/Washer.............152
▫Rear Window Defroster.................153

Roof Luggage Rack — If Equipped..........153

Cooled Beverage Storage Bin/Glove
Compartment — If Equipped..............154
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
The sunroof will also operate up to 45 seconds after the
ignition has been turned OFF. The sunroof operation will
be canceled if either of the front doors are opened during
the accessory delay time or set accessory delay time.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There is a standard 12 Volt power outlet in the instrument
panel and a 115 Volt (150 Watts maximum) outlet in the
center console on SXT and R/T models for added con-
venience. These outlets can power cell phones, electron-
ics and other low power devices.NOTE:Due to overload protection, the inverter will
shut down if the power rating is exceeded.
WARNING!
To Avoid Serious Injury or Death:
•Do not use a Three-Prong Adapter.
•Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
•Do not touch with wet hands.
•Close the lid when not in use and while driving
the vehicle
•If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫PTY Button Seek......................216
▫Satellite Antenna......................216
▫Reception Quality.....................216

Remote Sound System Controls — If Equipped . . 217
▫Radio Operation......................217
▫CD Player..........................218
CD/DVD Disc Maintenance...............218

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........219

Climate Controls.......................219
▫Climate Controls......................219
▫Air Filtration System – If Equipped........224
▫Operating Tips.......................225
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly 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.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and 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 TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When thesystem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
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indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance), refer to the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.Do not
start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
16. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
This light is part of an Onboard Diagnostic
system called OBD II that monitors emissions,
engine, and automatic transmission control sys-
tems. The light will illuminate when the key is in the
ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb does
not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON/
RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
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indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance), refer to the
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
EVIC Functions
EVIC Button
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
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The button located in the center of the left-hand control
will tune to the next preset station that you have pro-
grammed in the radio preset pushbuttons.
CD Player
Press the top of the switch once to go to the next track on
the CD. Press the bottom of the switch once to go to the
beginning of the current track or to the beginning of the
previous track, if it is within one second after the current
track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left-hand switch changes
CD’s on the 6–Disc in-dash CD changer radio. This
button does not function for all other radios.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the CD/DVD discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper, paper CD labels, or tape to the
disc; avoid scratching the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
8. Do not play discs that are small in size or have
irregular shapes.
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL