cooling DODGE CALIBER 2011 1.G User Guide

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 409

Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Hybrid Organic Additive Technology
(HOAT) engine coolant (antifreeze), may result in
engine damage and may decrease corrosion pro-
tection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze)
is introduced into the cooling system in an emer-
gency, it should be replaced with the specified
engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as possible.
•Do not use water alone or alcohol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator engine
coolant and may plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 104,000 miles (169 000 km) before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411

•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized 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.
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 413

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 freezing.
•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.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 13.6 Gallons51.5 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L and 2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts4.26 Liters
Cooling System *
2.0L and 2.4L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.2 Quarts
6.8 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 435

Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 175
Cargo Light ............................ 175
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 178
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 179
Cellular Phone ........................ 97,274
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 434
Chains, Tire ............................ 339
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 374
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 322
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............202,396
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .......................... 74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 78
Child Safety Locks ........................ 31
Child Seat .............................. 79
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 350 Cleaning
Wheels ............................ 421
Climate Control ......................... 274
Clock ........................... 218,237,246
Clutch ............................... 415
Clutch Fluid ........................... 415
Coin Holder ........................... 174
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 334
Connector UCI ........................... 260,265
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....260,265
Console .............................. 174
Contract, Service ........................ 459
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 435,436
Cooler, Beverage ........................ 182
Cooling System ......................... 409
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 411
Coolant Level .................... 410,413
468 INDEX

Brake Assist System................... 314
Electronic Stability Program ............. 317
Traction Control System ................ 315
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 155
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 317
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 205
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 374
Jump Starting ....................... 381
Towing ............................ 388
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 396
Engine ............................... 394
Block Heater ........................ 295
Break-In Recommendations .............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 399
Cooling ........................... 409
Exhaust Gas Caution ................85,353
Fuel Requirements .................... 350
Jump Starting ....................... 381 Oil .........................
399,435,436
Oil Change Interval ................... 400
Oil Filler Cap .................... 394,401
Oil Filter ........................... 436
Oil Selection ........................ 400
Oil Synthetic ........................ 401
Overheating ........................ 372
Temperature Gauge ................... 191
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 70
Ethanol ............................... 351
Event Data Recorder ...................... 73
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 36,85,353
Exhaust System ....................... 85,407
Exterior Lights .......................... 88
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 192
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 402
Air Conditioning ..................... 286
470 INDEX

Spinning........................... 336
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 337
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 363
Towing ............................... 358
24-Hour Towing Assistance .............. 111
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 388
Guide ............................. 362
Recreational ........................ 370
Weight ............................ 362
Towing Assistance ....................... 111
Traction .............................. 304
Trailer Towing .......................... 358
Cooling System Tips .................. 369
Hitches ............................ 361
Minimum Requirements ................ 364
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 363
Wiring ............................ 367
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 362
Trailer Weight .......................... 362 Transaxle
Automatic ..................... 12,293,417
Autostick .......................... 302
Manual ......................... 293,296
Selection of Lubricant ................. 417
Transmission Automatic ......................... 298
Range Indicator ...................... 196
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 23
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 158
Transporting Pets ........................ 83
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 337
Trip Odometer .......................... 196
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 198
Turn Signals ...................... 148,199,431
UCI Connector ....................... 260,265
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) .............. 97
10
INDEX 481