engine overheat DODGE CALIBER 2010 1.G User Guide

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
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
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and 1st gear. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 385

WARNING! (Continued)
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 407

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines
shown on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
the coolant freeze point or replacing the engine coolant
(antifreeze). Advise your service attendant of this. As
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411

Overheating.......................... 373
Selection Of Lubricant ................... 416
Shifting ............................. 300
Special Additives ...................... 416
Autostick ............................. 302
Battery ............................... 401
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 24
Belts, Seat .............................. 87
Beverage Cooler ........................ 175
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 403
B-Pillar Location ........................ 326
Brake Assist System ...................... 314
Brake Fluid ............................ 435
Brake, Parking .......................... 308
Brake System ........................ 310,413
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 31 1,314
Master Cylinder ....................... 413
Parking ............................. 308 Warning Light
........................ 195
Brakes ............................. 310,413
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 299
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 84
Bulb Replacement ....................... 427
Bulbs, Light .......................... 89,427
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 433
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 433
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 353
Oil (Engine) ....................... 392,399
Power Steering ........................ 307
Car Washes ............................ 418
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............86,352
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 179
Cargo Area Features ...................... 178
Cargo Compartment Light ............................... 178
10
INDEX 467

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 318
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 206
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 374
Jump Starting ......................... 380
Towing ............................. 386
Emission Control System Maintenance ......394,438
Engine ............................... 392
Block Heater ......................... 295
Break-In Recommendations ................ 84
Checking Oil Level ..................... 397
Cooling ............................. 407
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 86,352
Fuel Requirements ..................... 348
Jump Starting ......................... 380
Oil ........................... 397,433,434
Oil Change Interval .................... 398
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 392,399
Oil Filter ............................ 434 Oil Selection
.......................... 398
Oil Synthetic ......................... 399
Overheating .......................... 372
Temperature Gauge .................... 192
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 68
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 36,86,352
Exhaust System ....................... 86,405
Exterior Lights .......................... 89
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 193
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 400
Air Conditioning ...................... 286
Engine Oil ........................ 400,434
Flashers .............................. 372
Hazard Warning ....................... 372
Turn Signal ...................... 89,200,429
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 380
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 294
470 INDEX

Filter............................... 400
Identification Logo ..................... 398
Materials Added to ..................... 399
Recommendation ................... 398,433
Synthetic ............................ 399
Viscosity ............................ 399
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............393,394
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 158
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overdrive ............................. 302
Overheating, Engine ................... 192,372
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,461
Paint Care ............................. 417
Panic Alarm ............................ 22
Parking Brake .......................... 308
Passing Light ........................... 148
Personal Settings ........................ 211
Pets .................................. 84 Phone, Cellular
.......................... 99
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 99
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 326
Power Door Locks ........................... 28
Mirrors .............................. 97
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 168
Steering ............................. 307
Sunroof ............................. 165
Windows ............................. 33
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 435
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 56
Preparation for Jacking .................... 375
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 50
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 211
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 333
Radio Operation ........................ 275
476 INDEX