2008 DODGE CALIBER ECU

To Turn Off “Flash Lights With Lock”
NOTE:The “Flash Lights With Lock” feature can be
turned on or off. On EVIC equipped vehicles refer to
Personal Settingsunder “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in Section 4.
For vehicles not equipped with an EVIC, perform the
following steps:
1. Press the UNLOCK button for four to 10 seconds.
2. While the UNLOCK button is pressed (after four
seconds), press the LOCK button. Release both buttons.
3. Test the “flash lights” with LOCK feature, while
outside of the vehicle, by pressing the LOCK button on
the RKE transmitter with the ignition in the LOCK
position and the key removed.NOTE:Pressing the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter while you are in the vehicle, will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.
The “Flash Lights With Lock” feature can be reactivated
by repeating this procedure.
Programming Additional Transmitters
Vehicles are shipped from the assembly plants with two
RKE transmitter programmed only for that vehicle. A
total of eight RKE transmitter can be programmed for
your vehicle. Additional RKE transmitter can be pro-
grammed to your vehicle through the use of a currently
programmed RKE transmitter.
NOTE:When entering program mode using that RKE
transmitter, all other programmed RKE transmitters will
be erased and you will have to reprogram them for your
vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

WARNING!
For personal security and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well
as when you park and leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the ignition lock and lock your vehicle. Do not
leave unattended children in the vehicle or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause severe personal inju-
ries and death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition and lock all
of the doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.Manual Door Lock Plunger
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
2

Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with seat belts and pretensioners, front airbags work with
the driver inflatable knee blocker and the integrated
passenger knee blocker (non-inflatable) to provide im-
proved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side
airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped, the
side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in
moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of
collisions, both the front and side airbags may be trig-
gered. But even in collisions where the airbags work, you
need the seat belts to keep you in the right position for
the airbags to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag:1.Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear-facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see Section on Child Restraints) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats. Older children who do not use
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should
ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arms.
If a child from one to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible and use the proper child
restraint. Refer to the section on Child Restraint.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times — babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size.
Infants And Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child:
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the latch plate
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don’t leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
To operate the switchable retractor, pull the belt from the
retractor until there is enough to allow you to pass
through the child restraint and slide the latch plate into
the buckle. Then pull on the belt until it is completelyextended from the retractor. Allow the belt to return into
the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the
lap portion about the child restraint. Follow the instruc-
tions of the child restraint manufacture.
NOTE:To reset this feature, you must let all of the belt
webbing return into the retractor. You will not be able to
pull out more webbing until all of the webbing has been
returned back into the retractor.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
WARNING!
Child restraint anchorages are designed to withstand
only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be
used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching
other items or equipment to the vehicle.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check the belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
his/her back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or could injure a passenger during panic braking
or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Intermittent Wiper System...............124
▫Adding Washer Fluid..................124

Tilt Steering Column....................125

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped......126
▫To Activate..........................126
▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............127
▫To Deactivate........................127
▫To Resume Speed.....................127
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............127
▫Manual Transaxle.....................128
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............128

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped . . 128

Electronic Brake Control System............129▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............129
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............130
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............131
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........131

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........134
▫Programming HomeLink...............135
▫Gate Operator/Canadian Programming.....138
▫Using HomeLink.....................139
▫Reprogramming A Single HomeLink
Button.............................139
▫Security............................139
▫Troubleshooting Tips...................140
▫General Information...................140

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............141
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

Then move the safety catch located under the front edge
of the hood, near the center and raise the hood.Lift the hood prop rod, clipped to the left side (right side
facing hood) of the engine compartment, to secure the
hood in the open position. Place the hood prop at the
location stamped into the inner hood surface.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approximately 8
in (20 cm) and then drop it. This should secure both
latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully
closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
Secondary Hood Latch Location
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE