checking oil DODGE CALIBER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

your vehicle. Refer to these manuals before attempting
any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the requiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated range
will result in the oil level at the full end of the indicator
range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for
recommended engine oil change intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 345
7

oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
and even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Oil Change Required” in “Use Factory Settings” of the EVIC section
in this manual or under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” in
the Instrument Cluster Descriptions section of this
manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 383
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S

Emergency, In Case ofJacking ............................. 326
Jump Starting ......................... 331
Towing ............................. 334
Emission Control System Maintenance ......342,382
Engine ............................... 340
Break-In Recommendations ................ 70
Checking Oil Level ..................... 344
Cooling ............................. 353
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 72,305
Fuel Requirements ..................... 301
Jump Starting ......................... 331
Oil ........................... 344,377,378
Oil Change Interval .................... 345
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 340,346
OilFilter ............................ 378
Oil Selection .......................... 345
Oil Synthetic ......................... 346
Overheating .......................... 324 Temperature Gauge
.................... 169
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 58
Event Data Recorder ...................... 59
Exhaust Gas Caution ............ 35,72, 305,351,352
Exhaust System ....................... 72,351
ExteriorLights .......................... 74
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 169
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 347
Engine Oil ........................ 347,378
Flashers .............................. 324
Hazard Warning ....................... 324
Turn Signal ...................... 74, 177,373
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 331
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 250
Fluid, Brake ........................... 379
Fluid Capacities ......................... 377
Fluid Leaks ............................. 74
414 INDEX

Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 175,342
Manual, Service......................... 405
Manual Transaxle .................. 249,251,362
Downshifting ......................... 253
Fluid Level Check ..................... 362
Frequency of Fluid Change ............... 362
Lubricant Selection ..................... 362
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 130
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 359
Mirrors ................................ 79 Automatic Dimming ..................... 80
Electric Powered ....................... 81
Outside .............................. 80
Rearview ............................. 79
Vanity ............................... 83
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 293
Mopar Parts ......................... 343,404
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 126New Vehicle Break-In Period
................ 70
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ................. 36
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 301
Odometer ............................. 174
Trip ............................. 174,176
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 174
Oil, Engine ......................... 344,377
Capacity ............................ 377
Change Interval ....................... 345
Checking ............................ 344
Disposal ............................ 346
Filter ............................... 347
Identification Logo ..................... 346
Materials Added to ..................... 346
Recommendation ................... 345,377
Synthetic ............................ 346
Viscosity ............................ 346
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............341,342
INDEX 419
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