2007 DODGE CALIBER Owners Manual

3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Remove the air intake duct covering the battery, using
the two finger screws on the cover.
5. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dis-
charged battery.WARNING!
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don’t lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush the contaminated area
immediately with large quantities of water.
A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or
any other booster source with an output that exceeds
12 volts.
6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery. Make sure you have a good
contact.
7. If the vehicle is equipped with Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer, turn the ignition switch to the ON position for 3
seconds before moving the ignition switch to the START
position.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 273
6

8. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
9. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the se-
quence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol, turn the system OFF before attempting to “rock” the
vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle, tire
damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are stuck.
And don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
274 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 275
6

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.
276 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Engine Compartment — Gasoline Engines...279

Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II......280
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............280

Emissions Inspection And
Maintenance Programs
..................281

Replacement Parts.....................282

Dealer Service........................282

Maintenance Procedures.................283
▫Engine Oil..........................283
▫Drive Belt – Check Condition.............286
▫Spark Plugs.........................286
▫Catalytic Converter....................287▫Crankcase Emission Control System........288
▫Fuel Filter..........................288
▫Air Cleaner Element (Filter)..............288
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................289
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............290
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............291
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............291
▫Body Lubrication.....................292
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................292
▫Windshield Washer Reservoir.............292
▫Exhaust System......................293
7

▫Cooling System.......................294
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......298
▫Fuel System Connections................298
▫Brake System........................298
▫Automatic Transaxle (Cvt)...............301
▫Manual Transaxle.....................302
▫Rear Drive Assembly (Rda )–
AWD/4WD Models Only...............302
▫Power Transfer Unit (Ptu) –
AWD/4WD Models Only...............303
▫Appearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................303

Fuses/Integrated Power Module (IPM)......307

Vehicle Storage........................310

Replacement Bulbs.....................310

Bulb Replacement......................311
▫Headlights/Front Parking/
Front Turn Signal.....................311
▫Fog Lights..........................311
▫Tail Lights, Rear Turn Signals And
Backup Lights — Replacement............312
▫License Lights........................314
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplight...........315

Fluids And Capacities...................316

Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts.......317
▫Engine.............................317
▫Chassis............................318
278 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — GASOLINE ENGINES
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 279
7

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — 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
transaxle control systems. When these systems are oper-
ating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent per-
formance and fuel economy, as well as engine emissions
well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light.” 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!
•Prolonged driving with the “Malfunction Indica-
tor Light” 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.
•If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” 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 aclicking
sound is heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is
properly tightened. Press the trip odometer reset button
to turn off the message. If the problem persists, the
message will appear the next time the vehicle is started.
280 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE