steering DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................12
▫Ignition Key Removal...................12
▫Locking Doors With The Key..............14
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................14

Steering Wheel Lock — Manual Transmission
Only .................................15
▫To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......15
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........15

Sentry Key...........................15▫Replacement Keys......................17
▫Customer Key Programming..............17
▫General Information....................18

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........19
▫To Set The Security Alarm................19
▫To Disarm The Security Alarm System.......20
▫Security Alarm System Manual Override......20

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)— If Equipped.....20
▫To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate..........21
2

STEERING WHEEL LOCK — MANUAL
TRANSMISSION ONLY
Your manual transmission vehicle is equipped with a
passive steering wheel lock. This lock prevents steering
the vehicle without the ignition key. If the steering wheel
is moved no more than one-half turn in either direction
and the key is not in the ignition switch, the steering
wheel will lock.
To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and front
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity.
Inflatable Knee Bolster
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2.All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
3.The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.
4.If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against
the door; airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.
5.If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact
the Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided
underIf You Need Assistancein Section 9 of this
manual.WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belt even though you have
airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during front airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need room
to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit upright
in the center of the seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

The front airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (If Equipped)
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Front Passenger Airbag
•Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags Above Side Win-
dows (If Equipped)
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Seatbelt Reminder Light
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. This ORC will
detect roll over.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the LOCK position, in the ACC position, or
not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not
inflate.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The ORC also turns on the Airbag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for six to eight
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the
Airbag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC detects
a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the
Airbag Warning Light either momentarily or continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect you
in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays on
after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity and occu-
pant size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size.
The bags fully inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver’s front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. The passenger’s front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way, the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper passenger side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•The Airbag Warning Light does not come on or flickers
during the six to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight
second interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see list below) in an event data recorder prior to the
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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

▫Intermittent Wiper System...............124
▫Adding Washer Fluid..................124

Tilt Steering Column....................125

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped......126
▫To Activate..........................126
▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............127
▫To Deactivate........................127
▫To Resume Speed.....................127
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............127
▫Manual Transaxle.....................128
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............128

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped . . 128

Electronic Brake Control System............129▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............129
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............130
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............131
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........131

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........134
▫Programming HomeLink...............135
▫Gate Operator/Canadian Programming.....138
▫Using HomeLink.....................139
▫Reprogramming A Single HomeLink
Button.............................139
▫Security............................139
▫Troubleshooting Tips...................140
▫General Information...................140

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............141
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

radio or the mirror has the two control buttons (PHONE
Button and VOICE RECOGNITION button) that will
enable you to access the system.
Voice Recognition Button
Actual button location may vary with radio.
The individual buttons are described in the
“Operation” section.
The UConnectsystem can be used with any Hands-Free
Profile certified Bluetoothcellular phone. See the
UConnectwebsite for supported phones. If your cellu-
lar phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset
Profile) you may not be able to use any UConnect
features. Refer to your cellular service provider or the
phone manufacturer for details.
The UConnectsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle’s audio system. The volume of the UConnectsystemcan be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnectsystem such asCELLor caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnect
system and to navigate through the UConnectmenu
structure. Voice commands are required after most
UConnectsystem prompts. You will be prompted for a
specific command and then guided through the available
options.
•Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows theReadyprompt or another
prompt.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE