manual transmission DODGE CALIBER SRT 2009 1.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Manual Transmission
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC (Accessory)
position.
2. Push the key and cylinder inward and rotate the key to
the LOCK position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch lock cylinder.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — START 14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key to the right. To unlock the door, turn
the key to the left. Refer to “Body Lubrication” under
“Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:With the driver’s door open and the key in the
ignition, the power door locks and Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter will not function.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your manual transmission vehicle is equipped with a
passive steering wheel lock. This lock prevents steering
the vehicle without the ignition key. If the steering wheel
is moved no more than 1/2 turn in either direction and
the key is not in the ignition switch, the steering wheel
will lock.
To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

several times until “Compass Variance” is highlighted.
The “Compass Variance” message and the current vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. To change the zone,
press and hold (longer than two seconds) the EVIC
button to increment the variance one step. Repeat as
necessary, with individual long (for at least one second)
EVIC button presses for each increment, until the desired
variance is achieved. To exit the Variance Programming,
press the EVIC button with a short (less than one second)
button press.
NOTE:The factory default Zone is 8. During program-
ming, the Zone value will wrap around from Zone 15 to
Zone 1.
Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic or inaccurate, and the
variance has been properly set, you may wish to manu-
ally recalibrate the compass. To manually calibrate the
compass:1. Start the engine and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
2. Using a quick button press (less than one second),
press and release the EVIC button several times until the
EVIC displays the “Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” menu.
3. Once in the “Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” menu, press and release (less
than one second) the EVIC button several times until
“Calibrate Compass (Yes)” is displayed.
4. Using a long button press (more than one second)
press the EVIC button, this will place the Compass in
calibration mode. The CAL indicator will come on con-
tinuously in the EVIC display to indicate that the com-
pass is now in the calibration mode, and that the vehicle
can now be driven to calibrate.
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control sys-
tem could result from using an improper fuel tank
filler cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let
impurities into the fuel system.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
Recreational Towing Chart
Recreational Towing Condition Manual Transmission Vehicles
Four Wheel Flat Tow (all wheels on ground)Ye s
Two Wheel Dolly Tow (rear wheels on ground)Ye s
Flat Bed Tow (all wheels on bed of truck)Ye s
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

NOTE: ONLYvehicles equipped withMANUAL
TRANSAXLESmay be recreationally towed at any legal
highway speed, for any distance, if theMANUAL
TRANSAXLEis inNEUTRALand the ignition key is in
the ACC position.CAUTION!
Rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal damage
to the transmission will occur if a rear wheel lift is
used when recreational towing.
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

Using the Air Pump Power Button
Push and release the button (3) once to turn
ON the TIREFIT kit. Push and release the
button (3) again to turn OFF the TIREFIT kit.
Sealing a Tire with TIREFIT
(A) Whenever You Stop to Use TIREFIT:
1. Turn ON the vehicle’s hazard warning flashers.
2. Verify that the valve stem (on the wheel with the
deflated tire) is in a position that is near to the ground.
This will allow the TIREFIT Hoses (6) and (7) to reach the
valve stem and keep the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground.
This will provide the best positioning of the kit when
injecting the sealant into the deflated tire and running the
air pump. Move the vehicle as necessary to place the
valve stem in this position before proceeding.3. Place the transmission in PARK (auto transmission) or
in Gear (manual transmission) and turn OFF the ignition.
4. Set the parking brake.
(B) Setting Up to Use TIREFIT:
1. Remove the gloves from the Accessory Storage Com-
partment (8) and place them on your hands.
2. Turn the Mode Select knob (4) to the
Sealant/Air Mode position.
3. Uncoil the Clear Sealant Hose (7) and then remove the
Yellow Cap from the fitting at the end of the hose.
4. Place the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground next to the
deflated tire.
312 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle cannot be started this way and may be
damaged. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle. If the
vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done im-
properly, so follow this procedure carefully.
•Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make
an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be
seriously injured.
NOTE: Disconnecting the battery with the ignition in
the ON position will cause vehicles with an automatictransaxle (CVT2) to go into “default mode” and turn on
the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). See your autho-
rized dealer to correct this condition.
1. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place the
automatic transmission in PARK (the manual transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL) and turn the ignition to OFF for both
vehicles.
2. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
3. Using the two finger screws on the cover, remove the
air intake duct covering the battery.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dis-
charged battery.
318 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Manual Transaxle
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•FWD vehicles can be towed with the front or rear
wheels elevated.
•FWD or AWD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheels off the ground).
All Transaxles
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ACC position, not
in the LOCK position.
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 321
6

WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard prolonged
braking. You could have an accident.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transaxle.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
this section for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16 in (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Once a Month
•Check the tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
366 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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