2006 DODGE CALIBER fuel

Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
ªRESETº or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
history information will be erased, and the averaging will
continue from the last fuel reading before the reset.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable.
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles estimated
driving distance, the DTE display will change to a text
display of9LOW FUEL9. This display will continue until
the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a significant amount
of fuel to the vehicle will turn off the9LOW FUEL9textand a new DTE value will be displayed, based on the
current values in the DTE calculation and the current fuel
tank level.
Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
Refer to Section 5, ªTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) for system operation.
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK (automatic transmission) or the
vehicle is stopped (manual transmissions).
Press and release the EVIC button until Personal Settings
is displayed in the EVIC.
122 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct
air flow.
Bi-Level
Air is directed through the panel and floor out-
lets.
NOTE:
There is a difference in temperature between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets and side
window demist outlets with a small amount
through the defrost outlet.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at
the windshield. This setting is good for maintaining
comfort while reducing moisture on the windshield.
Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with
maximum fan and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:
The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes even if
the Air Conditioning Snowflake button is not pressed.
This dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield. To
improve fuel economy, use these modes only when
necessary.
Air Outlets
The airflow from each of the instrument panel outlets can
be adjusted for direction and turned on or off to control
air flow.
NOTE:For maximum airflow to the rear seat passen-
gers, the center instrument panel outlets can be aimed, so
that the left center outlet is directed toward the right rear
passenger and the right center outlet is directed toward
the left rear passenger.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165
4

NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð
If Equipped.........................186
mPower Steering........................188
mTire Safety Information..................189
NTire Markings........................189
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........193
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........194
mTiresÐGeneral Information...............198
NTire Pressure.........................198
NTire Inflation Pressures.................199
NRadial-Ply Tires......................201
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........201
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........202
NTire Spinning........................202
NTread Wear Indicators..................203
NLife Of Tire.........................204NReplacement Tires.....................204
NAlignment And Balance.................205
mTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Premium System Ð If Equipped
...........206
NTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Operation...........................206
NGeneral Information...................209
mTire Chains...........................209
mSnow Tires...........................209
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........210
mFuel Requirements.....................211
NGasoline Engines.....................211
NReformulated Gasoline.................211
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............211
NMMT In Gasoline.....................212
NMaterials Added To Fuel................212
172 STARTING AND OPERATING

NFuel System Cautions..................213
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............213
mAdding Fuel..........................214
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............214
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............216
mVehicle Loading.......................217
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......217
mTrailer Towing........................217
NCommon Towing Definitions.............217
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............219NTrailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........220
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............221
NTowing Requirements..................222
NTowing Tips.........................225
mRecreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
................226
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................226
STARTING AND OPERATING 173
5

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. 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 improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
Extremely Cold Weather (below220ÉF or229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
STARTING AND OPERATING 175
5

WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
²When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result. You must also depress the brake pedal.
ªRº Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
ªNº Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
ªDº
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and
performance.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transaxle lubri-
cant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift
efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transaxle.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in table.
If you exceed these speeds, you may notice the engine cut
in and out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce engine speed.
TABLE 1-MANUAL TRANSAXLE NORMAL AC-
CELERATION AND CRUISE SHIFT SPEEDS
IN mph (km/h)
EN-
GINE
SIZEAC-
CEL-
ERA-
TION
RATE1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
1.8LAccel 14 (23) 23 (37) 29 (47) 45 (72)
Cruise 12 (19) 18 (29) 25 (40) 32 (51)
2.4LAccel 15 (24) 25 (40) 33 (53) 44 (71)
Cruise 16 (26) 20 (32) 28 (45) 38 (61)
For improved performance, your manual transaxle may
be upshifted up to the maximum speeds listed in table 2
(within legal speed limits).
STARTING AND OPERATING 181
5

TABLE 2-MANUAL TRANSAXLE MAXIMUM PER-
FORMANCE SHIFT SPEEDS
IN mph (km/h)
EN-
GINE
SIZEAC-
CEL-
ERA-
TION
RATE1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
1.8LMaxi-
mum32 56 86 119
(52) (91) (139) (191)
2.4LMaxi-
mum31 54 83 114
(50) (87) (133) (184)
If you exceed these speeds you may notice the engine cut
in or out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce the engine speed (RPM).
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to 2nd or 1st when descending a steep grade.
When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-
dened.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING