2006 DODGE CALIBER automatic transmission

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Automatic And Manual Transaxle
Front-wheel-drive vehicles must have the front wheels
elevated; all-wheel-drive vehicles must be hauled on a
flatbed truck.
All Transaxles
CAUTION!
If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ACCESSORY posi-
tion, not in the LOCK position.
Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing vehicle to flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Damage
to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the
transaxle remains in NEUTRAL.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. A dolly should be
used under the front wheels if the rear wheels are raised.
Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Battery power is required to release the brake/
transmission interlock system. There is a removable plug
in the right side of the shifter housing that allows you to
insert your finger to override the system.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the driv-
etrain will result.
238 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indica-
tor Lightº on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
²If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is loose or improperly
installed. A GASCAP message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a9clicking9
sound is heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is
properly tightened. Press the odometer reset button to
turn the message off. If the problem persists, the message
will appear the next time the vehicle is started. This
242 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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!
Automatic Transaxle
All front wheel drive vehicles have a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only the manufacturer's recommended transmission
fluid which has been formulated with special metal to
metal friction coefficient additives to provide the propersteel belt traction on the drive and driven pulleys. Refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid will cause belt slip and
result in a complete transmission failure! Refer to
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked only by a trained technician.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the ªMaintenance Schedule located if section 8 of
this manual for the correct change interval for your type
of driving.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 263
7

Special Additives
Do not add any materials (other than leak detection dyes)
to Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). ATF is an engi-
neered product and its performance may be impaired by
supplemental additives.
Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for
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 3/16º (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
following conditions exist:
²The lubricant has become contaminated with water. If
contaminated with water, the fluid should be changed
immediately.
²If severe usage has occurred, refer to Maintenance
Schedule ªBº in Section 8 of this manual.
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA)± AWD Models Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only manufacturers recommended fluid. Refer to
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspected the unit at each oil change for leakage.
If leakage is detected, Check the fluid level by removing
the fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained be-
tween the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 inch (4 mm)
below the fill hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²
Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
²Check the manual transmission fluid level (if
equipped).
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
CAUTION!
Do not check the automatic transaxle fluid. It must
be check by a trained service technician every 15,000
miles and if required only the recommended fluid
be added. Refer to the section ªFluids, Lubricants
And Genuine Partsº for the proper fluid.
284 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Brake Fluid........................... 280
Brake, Parking......................... 183
Brake System.......................185,260
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................86,186
Hoses.............................. 261
Master Cylinder...................... 262
Parking............................ 183
Warning Light....................... 117
Brakes............................185,260
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 177
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 59
Bulb Replacement...................272,273
Bulbs, Light........................... 272
Calibration, Compass.................... 127
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 278
Capacities, Fluid....................... 278
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 214
Oil (Engine)......................241,247
Car Washes........................... 266
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 213
Cargo Area Cover....................... 98Cargo Area Features..................... 96
Cargo Compartment
Light............................... 96
Luggage Carrier...................... 102
Cargo Light............................ 96
Cargo Load Floor....................... 99
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 99
Carrier, Luggage....................... 102
Catalytic Converter..................... 249
Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 60
CD (Compact Disc) Player..........129,136,147
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance...... 163
Cellular Phone......................... 163
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 277
Chains, Tire........................... 209
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 230
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 191
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 243
Child Restraint......................... 52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 56
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts......... 55
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
INDEX 309
10

Heated.............................. 72
Lumbar Support....................... 71
Rear Folding......................... 74
Rear Folding (Sedan)................... 74
Seatback Release....................... 71
Tilting.............................. 71
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 24
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................ 11,25
Sentry Key Programming.................. 12
Service and Maintenance................. 282
Service Assistance...................... 300
Service Contract........................ 302
Service Manuals........................ 303
Setting the Clock..............129,131,137,148
Settings, Personal....................... 122
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle............ 181
Shoulder Belts.......................... 30
Side Airbag............................ 47
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters)......... 169
Signals, Turn.......................... 274
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 236
Snow Tires............................ 209
Spare Tire.......................201,202,230Spark Plugs........................... 249
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........83,115
Speedometer.......................... 111
Speedometer and Odometer............... 109
Starting.............................. 174
Automatic Transmission................ 174
Engine Fails to Start................... 175
Manual Transmission.................. 174
Starting Procedures..................... 174
Steering
Power...........................188,253
Tilt Column.......................... 82
Wheel Lock.......................... 13
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 161
Storage.............................. 272
Stuck, Freeing......................... 237
Sun Roof.............................. 91
Sun Visor Extension...................... 69
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 39
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 247
Tachometer............................ 111
318 INDEX

Minimum Requirements................ 222
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 221
Wiring............................. 224
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 220
Trailer Weight......................... 220
Transaxle............................. 176
Automatic...................9,174,176,263
Autostick........................... 179
Manual........................10,174,180
Operation........................... 176
Overdrive........................... 178
Selection of Lubricant.................. 263
Transmission
Range Indicator...................... 113
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................ 23
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................ 22
Transporting Pets........................ 59
Tread Wear Indicators................... 203
Trip Odometer......................... 114
Trip Odometer Reset Button............... 115
Turn Signals......................79,116,274Understanding Your Instrument Panel....... 108
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 305
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 211
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt............. 37
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 260
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 69
Variance, Compass...................... 125
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).......... 6
Vehicle Loading.....................195,217
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations............ 6
Vehicle Storage......................... 272
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)......... 24
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster
Description)........................... 111
Warnings and Cautions.................... 6
Warranty Information.................... 302
Washer, Adding Fluid.................82,102
Washers, Windshield..................... 80
Washing Vehicle........................ 266
Wheel Alignment and Balance............. 205
Wheel and Wheel Trim................... 267
320 INDEX