2007 DODGE CALIBER automatic transmission

Language
When in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions.
Pressing the EVIC button while in this display selects
English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais depend-
ing on availability. As you continue the displayed infor-
mation will be shown in the selected language.
NOTE:UConnect™ language will not change using the
EVIC. Please refer to “Language Selection” in the
HANDS–FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect™) — IF
EQUIPPED section of this manual for details.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
When ON is selected all doors lock automatically when
the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). Press
and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
“ON” or “OFF” appears to make your selection.
Auto Unlock On Exit
When ON is selected all the vehicle’s doors will unlock
when the driver’s door is opened if the vehicle is stopped
(manual transmissions) or the vehicle is stopped and the
transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) position(automatic transmissions). Press and hold the EVIC but-
ton when in this display until “ON” or “OFF” appears to
make your selection.
Remote Unlock Driver’s Door 1st
WhenDRIVER’S DOOR 1STis selected only the driv-
er’s door will unlock on the first press of the remote
keyless entry unlock button and require a second press to
unlock the remaining locked doors. WhenREMOTE
UNLOCK ALL DOORSis selected all of the doors will
unlock at the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. Press and hold the EVIC button when in
this display until “DRIVER’S DOOR 1ST” or “ALL
DOORS” appears to make your selection.
Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected a short horn sound will occur when
the remote keyless entry “Lock” button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. Press and hold the EVIC button
when in this display until “ON” or “OFF” appears to
make your selection.
156 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Compass Calibration
The Compass will automatically calibrate if the Cal
indicator is flashing, by driving around slowly (under 5
mph / 8 km/h) in one or more complete circles in an area
free from large metallic objects or power lines, until the
Cal indicator turns off. If during normal use the compass
appears erratic, inaccurate or abnormal, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass make sure the proper zone is selected.
To manually calibrate the Compass:start the engine and
leave the transmission in the PARK position. Using a
short 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. 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. Using a long
button press (more than one second), pressing the EVIC
button will place the Compass in calibration mode. The
Cal indicator will come on continuously in the EVIC
display to indicate that the compass is now in thecalibration mode and that the vehicle can now be driven
to calibrate. (A short EVIC button press from theCali-
brate Compass (Yes)screen will exit the EVIC Customer
Programmable features, and return it to its normal oper-
ating mode). To complete the compass calibration, drive
the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree circles
under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from power lines,
large metallic objects, until the CAL indicator turns off.
The compass will now function normally.
RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
Radio Broadcast Signals
Your new radio will provide excellent reception under
most operating conditions. Like any system, however, car
radios have performance limitations, due to mobile op-
eration and natural phenomena, which might lead you to
believe your sound system is malfunctioning. To help
you understand and save you concern about these “ap-
parent” malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................208
▫Automatic Transaxle...................208
▫Manual Transaxle.....................208
▫Normal Starting......................208
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below
20°F Or
29°C)................209
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................209
▫After Starting........................210

Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped........210
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......211
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition
Interlock System......................212▫Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (Cvt)...............212
▫Fuel Economy/Performance
Operation Feature.....................213

AutoStick — If Equipped................214
▫AutoStick Operation...................214
▫AutoStick General Information............215

Manual Transaxle Operation..............215
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............216
▫Downshifting........................217

All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped.....217

Parking Brake.........................218
5

allows you to insert your finger to override the system. If
this occurs obtain service as soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions, and
the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
“P” Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parkingbrake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector
in P (Park) position.
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:
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:After pushing beyond the detent (bump/step)
and entering “maximum performance” mode, the CVT
will no longer operate in the economy mode, but will
increase the engine speed up to 6000 RPM. The engine
speed will remain at this high RPM while the vehicle
accelerates.
AUTOSTICK — IF EQUIPPED
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
six manual ratio changes to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic
ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the
Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) and or
the engine from overspeed and changes down will only
happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling.
Autostick Operation
NOTE:
Autostick is not functional until the CVT warms
up in cold weather.
Autostick operation is activated in theDposition by
moving the shift lever side to side. Moving the lever to
the (+) side will activate Autostick and shift up to the
next higher manual ratio, unless you are already operat-
ing in or near overdrive in which case, 6th ratio will be
selected. In like manner, moving the lever to (-) will
activate Autostick and shift to the next lower manual
Autostick Shifter
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

ratio. After Autostick is activated, the manual ratio
selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display
and tipping the lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause
an upshift or downshift by one ratio.
Autostick is deactivated:
•
By holding the lever to (+) momentarily.
•When the shift lever is shifted out ofD.
•When in 6 position, touching the lever to the right.
•When heavy Anti-lock brake system (ABS) application
is detected.
Autostick General Information
•
If a ratio other than 1st is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the CVT will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem it will disable the
Autostick mode and the transmission will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5

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.
All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD).
The system is automatic with no driver gear selection or
additional driving skills required. Under normal driving
conditions, the front wheels provide most of the traction.
If the front wheels begin to lose traction, power is shifted
automatically to the rear wheels to equalize front and
rear wheels speeds. The greater the front wheel traction
loss the greater the power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a preemptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
5

•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. Always, block orchockthe
trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING