2006 DODGE CALIBER checking oil

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 245
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Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one quart of
oil when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
²Day and night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and Go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
²Trailer towing.
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-Road or desert operation.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow schedule ªBÐAll
Enginesº of the9Maintenance Schedules9section of this
manual.
246 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and
it's performance may be impaired by supplemental ad-
ditives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact your
dealer, service station, or governmental agency for advice
on how and where used oil can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
All of this manufacturers engines have a full-flow type
disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consider-
ably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure
most efficient service. Mopar Engine Oil Filters are high
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Engine Oil Requirements Ð Diesel Engines
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding 1qt (1 liter) of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
248 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner should
be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer at the
start of each warm season. This service should include
cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance test.
Drive belt tension should also be checked at this time.
WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer
to Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
Power Steering Ð Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 253
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NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or 60 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
Second is ScheduleªAº. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
ule9B9.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add, if
required.
Once a Month
²
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 283
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Drive Belts............................ 249
Driver's Seat Back Tilt.................... 71
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 236
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 67
Electrical Power Outlets................... 93
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 83
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)........... 88
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 119
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 230
Jump Starting........................ 234
Towing............................. 238
Emission Control System Maintenance....243,282
Engine............................... 241
Break-In Recommendations............... 59
Checking Oil Level.................245,248
Cooling............................ 256
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 213
Fuel Requirements.................... 211
Jump Starting........................ 234
Oil .......................245,248,278,279Oil Change Interval................... 246
Oil Filler Cap.....................241,247
Oil Filter............................ 279
Oil Selection......................... 247
Oil Synthetic......................... 247
Overheating......................... 228
Temperature Gauge.................... 111
Event Data Recorder..................... 50
Exhaust Gas Caution.............27,60,213,255
Exhaust System........................ 255
Filler Location Fuel...................... 111
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
Engine Fuel......................... 251
Engine Oil.......................248,279
Flashers.............................. 228
Hazard Warning...................... 228
Turn Signal.......................... 274
Flat Tire Stowage....................... 233
Flooded Engine Starting.................. 175
Fluid, Brake........................... 280
Fluid Capacities........................ 278
INDEX 311
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Lumbar Support........................ 71
Maintenance Free Battery................. 251
Maintenance, General.................... 245
Maintenance Procedures.................. 245
Maintenance Schedule................... 282
Schedule ªAº........................ 294
Schedule ªBº........................ 285
Malfunction Indicator Light
(Check Engine)...................... 114,243
Manual, Service........................ 303
Manual Transaxle.................174,180,264
Downshifting........................ 182
Fluid Level Check..................264,265
Frequency of Fluid Change...........264,265
Lubricant Selection.................264,265
Map/Reading Lights..................... 77
Master Cylinder (Brakes)................. 262
Mirrors............................... 66
Electric Powered....................... 67
Outside............................. 66
Rearview............................ 66
Vanity.............................. 69Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 6
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............. 206
Mopar Parts........................244,302
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 77
New Vehicle Break-In Period............... 59
Occupant Classification System (OCS)........ 43
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)................ 29
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)............. 211
Odometer............................. 114
Trip ............................. 114,115
Oil, Engine......................245,248,278
Capacity............................ 278
Change Interval...................... 246
Checking........................245,248
Disposal............................ 248
Filter.............................. 248
Materials Added to.................... 248
Recommendation..................247,278
Synthetic........................... 247
Viscosity............................ 247
Oil Pressure Light...................... 112
INDEX 315
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