coolant temperature DODGE CALIBER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
2. Fuel Door ReminderThis indicates that the fuel filler door is located
on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
4

the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to high. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”,
pull over when safe and stop the vehicle with the
engine at idle. Turn the air conditioner off and wait
until the pointer drops back into the normal range.
After appropriate action has been taken, if the
pointer remains on the “H”, turn the engine OFF
immediately and call for service.
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 the
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
6

When adding engine coolant (antifreeze), a minimum
solution of 50% recommended MOPARAntifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology), or equivalent, in water
should be used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed
70%) if temperatures below 34°F (37°C) are antici-
pated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant (antifreeze)
solution. The use of lower quality water will reduce the
amount of corrosion protection in the engine cooling
system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated. NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze) and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory,
the coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
recovery bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
358 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for
proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning light is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. The brake fluid level should be checked
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 359
7

Fluid Level ChecksAutomatic Transaxle .................... 361
Power Steering ........................ 263
Fluids ................................ 378
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 378
Fog Lights ....................... 128,177,372
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 123
Folding Rear Seat (Sedan) .................. 123
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 333
Front Position Light ...................... 372
Fuel .............................. 301,378
Adding ............................. 305
Additives ............................ 304
Capacity ............................ 377
CleanAir ............................ 302
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 169,305
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 169
Gasoline ............................ 301
Gauge .............................. 169 Light ............................... 170
Octane Rating
........................ 301
Requirements ......................... 301
Tank Capacity ........................ 377
Fuel System Caution ..................... 307
Fueling ............................... 305
Fuses ................................ 368
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 138
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............305,307,341
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 302
Gasoline (Fuel) ....................... 301,377
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 302
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 169
Fuel ............................... 169
Odometer ........................... 174
Tachometer .......................... 170
Gearshift .............................. 255
INDEX 415
10

Speedometer and Odometer................ 167
Starting ............................... 249
Automatic Transmission ................. 249
Engine Fails to Start .................... 250
Manual Transmission ................... 249
Starting Procedures ...................... 249
Steering Power ........................... 262,263
TiltColumn .......................... 134
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 234
Storage ............................... 371
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 333
Sun Roof .............................. 144
Sun Visor Extension ....................... 83
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 49
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 346
Tachometer ............................ 170 Taillights
.............................. 373
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......169,325
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 66
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo ................... 157
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 134
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 279
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 278
Tire Markings .......................... 274
Tire Safety Information .................... 274
Tires ............................ 73, 283,406
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 289
Air Pressure .......................... 283
Chains .............................. 291
Changing ............................ 326
Compact Spare ........................ 286
Flat Changing ........................ 331
General Information .................... 283
INDEX 423
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