2008 DODGE CALIBER cooling

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open the
hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never
try to open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 335
7

Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” under Section 8.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts” in Sec-
tion 8.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of coolants other than specified Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine
coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propy-
lene Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
336 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to five years or 100,000 miles
before replacement. To prevent reducing this extended
maintenance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below

34°F (
37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of coolant
and to ensure that coolant will return to the radiator from
the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 337
7

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scald-
ing or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while
the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for yourcommunity. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol-based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the coolant in the bottle should be
between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines shown on the
bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
the coolant freeze point or replacing the coolant. Advise
your service attendant of this. As long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle
need only be checked once a month.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, the contents of the coolant recovery bottle must
also be protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required or if the level
in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when the
engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean also.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 339
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)13.5 Gal 51.0 L
Engine Oil-With Filter
All Gasoline Engines (use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil) 4.5 qts 4.26 L
Cooling System *
MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Miles Formula), or equivalent. 7.2 qts 6.8 L
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
360 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Load Floor........................ 150
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 150
Carrier, Luggage........................ 153
Catalytic Converter...................... 326
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 69
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............187,195
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 218
Cellular Phone........................ 80,219
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 359
Chains, Tire............................ 279
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 304
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 255
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 320
Child Restraint.......................... 60
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 64
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 63
Child Safety Locks........................ 31
Child Seat.............................. 66Clean Air Gasoline....................... 281
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 348
Climate Control......................... 219
Clock ........................186,189,197,210
Clutch............................... 342
Clutch Fluid........................... 342
CoinHolder ........................... 146
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 218
Compact Spare Tire...................... 266
Compass.............................. 184
Compass Calibration..................... 184
Compass Variance....................... 183
Console.............................. 146
Contract, Service........................ 375
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................360,361
Cooler, Beverage........................ 154
Cooling System......................... 335
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 337
384 INDEX

Brake Assist System.................... 130
Electronic Stability Program............... 131
Traction Control System................. 131
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 126
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 131
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 175
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 304
Jump Starting......................... 310
Towing ............................. 313
Emission Control System Maintenance......320,364
Engine............................. 69,318
Break-In Recommendations................ 69
Checking Oil Level..................... 322
Cooling ............................. 335
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 284
Fuel Requirements..................... 281
Jump Starting......................... 310
Oil ...........................322,360,361Oil Change Interval.................... 324
Oil Filler Cap......................318,324
OilFilter ............................ 361
Oil Selection.......................... 324
Oil Synthetic......................... 325
Operation............................ 69
Overheating.......................... 302
Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 56
Event Data Recorder...................... 57
Exhaust Gas Caution.............. 35,69,284,334
Exhaust System......................... 334
Fabric Care............................ 348
Filler Location Fuel...................... 164
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 328
Engine Fuel.......................... 328
Engine Oil........................325,361
386 INDEX