2006 DODGE CALIBER manual transmission

Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þRefer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
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.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot. If this happens, the transmission over-
heat indicator light will come on and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle cools down
enough to allow a return to the requested speed. If the
high speed is maintained, the overheating will reoccur as
before in a cyclic fashion.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 229
6

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

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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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