cooling DODGE CALIBER 2012 1.G User Guide

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.
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 orrusty 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).
430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
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.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•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) before7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 431

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.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°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.
432 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 433

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.
434 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 455

Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 185
Cargo Light ............................ 185
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 189
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 189
Cellular Phone ....................... 101,279
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 454
Chains, Tire ............................ 351
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 390
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 333
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ............................. 212,416
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 87
Checks, Safety ........................... 87
Child Restraint ........................ 76,78
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 80
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Child Seat .............................. 81
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 363 Cleaning
Wheels ............................ 442
Climate Control ......................... 280
Clock ........................... 227,247,256
Clutch ............................... 435
Clutch Fluid ........................... 435
Coin Holder ........................... 184
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 279
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 345
Connector UCI .............................. 270
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 270
Console .............................. 184
Contract, Service ........................ 479
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 455,456
Cooler, Beverage ........................ 192
Cooling System ......................... 430
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 431
Coolant Level .................... 430,433
488 INDEX

Brake Assist System................... 325
Electronic Stability Program ............. 328
Traction Control System ................ 326
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 162
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 328
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 215
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 390
Jump Starting ....................... 401
Towing ............................ 408
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 416
Engine ............................ 413,414
Block Heater ........................ 302
Break-In Recommendations .............. 86
Checking Oil Level ................... 419
Cooling ........................... 430
Exhaust Gas Caution ................88,367
Fuel Requirements .................... 363
Jump Starting ....................... 401 Oil .........................
419,455,456
Oil Change Interval ................... 420
Oil Filler Cap .................. 413,414,421
Oil Filter ........................... 456
Oil Selection ........................ 420
Oil Synthetic ........................ 421
Overheating ........................ 388
Temperature Gauge ................... 201
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 72
Ethanol ............................... 364
Event Data Recorder ...................... 75
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 38,88,367
Exhaust System ....................... 88,427
Exterior Lights .......................... 91
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 202
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 422
Air Conditioning ..................... 292
490 INDEX

Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 377
Towing ............................... 372
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 114
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 408
Guide ............................. 376
Recreational ........................ 385
Weight ............................ 376
Towing Assistance ....................... 114
Traction .............................. 314
Trailer Towing .......................... 372
Cooling System Tips .................. 384
Hitches ......................... 374,375
Minimum Requirements ................ 378
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 377
Wiring ............................ 382
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 376
Trailer Weight .......................... 376
Transaxle Automatic ....................... 12,299Autostick
.......................... 312
Manual ......................... 299,302
Transmission Automatic ....................... 304,438
Fluid ............................. 438
Range Indicator ...................... 206
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 166
Transporting Pets ........................ 86
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 348
Trip Odometer .......................... 206
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 208
Turn Signals ...................... 155,209,451
UCI Connector ......................... 270
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) ............. 101
Understanding Your Instrument Panel ......... 198
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 483
10
INDEX 501