2008 DODGE CALIBER trailer

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in 1st gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage it
until you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put the trans-
mission in NEUTRAL and increase the engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System” under “Maintenance Proce-
dures” in Section 7 of this manual for more information.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to “Maintenance”, Section 7 of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to therequested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
304 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
3 10 Amp
RedCHMSL Brake Switch
Feed
4 10 Amp
RedIgnition Switch Feed
5 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow
6 10 Amp
RedIOD Sw/Pwr Mir/
Ocm Steering Cntrl
Sdar/Hands-Free
Phone
7 30 Amp
GreenIOD Sense1
8 30 Amp
GreenIOD Sense2
9 40 Amp
GreenPower SeatsCavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
10 20 Amp
YellowCCN Power Locks
11 15 Amp
Lt BluePower Outlet
12 20 Amp
YellowIgn Run/Acc Inverter
13 20 Amp
YellowPwr run/Acc Outlet
RR
14 10 Amp
RedIOD CCN/ Interior
Lighting
15 40 Amp
GreenRAD Fan Relay Bat-
tery Feed
16 15 Amp
Lt BlueIGN Run/Acc Cigar
Ltr/Sunroof
17 10 Amp
RedIOD Feed Mod-Wcm
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs.30,000 50 000 30
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow
plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service
(commercial service), off-road, desert operation or
more then 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).48,000 80 000 48
Change Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid. 60,000 100 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
368 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 281
Gasoline (Fuel).......................281,360
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 282
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 164
Fuel................................ 164
Odometer........................... 168
Tachometer.......................... 165
Gearshift.............................. 237
General Information................. 18,107,279
General Maintenance..................... 322
Glass Cleaning.......................... 350
Glove Compartment...................... 154
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 288
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 287
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™).............. 80Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 252
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 302
Head Restraints......................... 110
Headlights............................ 355
Cleaning............................ 349
High Beam........................121,172
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 121
Passing............................. 121
Replacing............................ 355
Switch .............................. 118
Heated Seats........................... 111
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 290
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 134
Hood Release.......................... 115
Hoses................................ 340
388 INDEX

Tachometer............................ 165
Taillights.............................. 356
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......164,303
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 64
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 19
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 150
Tilt Steering Column..................... 125
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 258
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 257
Tire Markings.......................... 254
Tire Safety Information.................... 254
Tires ............................ 71,262,379
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 268
Air Pressure.......................... 262
Alignment........................... 270
Chains.............................. 279
Changing............................ 304
Compact Spare........................ 266Flat Changing........................ 309
General Information.................... 262
High Speed.......................... 265
Inflation Pressures..................... 263
Jacking............................. 304
LifeofTires .......................... 268
Load Capacity.....................258,259
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 271
Quality Grading....................... 379
Radial.............................. 265
Replacement......................... 269
Rotation............................. 280
Safety...........................254,262
Sizes ............................... 255
Snow Tires........................... 279
Spare Tire........................... 305
Spinning ............................ 267
Tread Wear Indicators................... 268
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 291
396 INDEX

Towing ............................... 287
24-Hour Towing Assistance................ 93
Disabled Vehicle....................... 313
Guide .............................. 291
Recreational.......................... 299
Weight .............................. 291
Towing Assistance........................ 93
Traction.............................. 251
TrailerTowing .......................... 287
Cooling System Tips.................... 298
Hitches............................. 290
Minimum Requirements................. 293
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 291
Wiring .............................. 296
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 291
TrailerWeight .......................... 291
Transaxle............................. 235
Automatic.................... 13,233,235,343
Autostick............................ 239Manual........................ 12,233,242
Operation........................... 235
Overdrive........................... 239
Selection of Lubricant................... 343
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 166
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................. 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 134
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................. 23
Transporting Pets........................ 68
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 268
Trip Odometer.......................... 168
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 170
Turn Signals......................120,171,356
UConnect™ (Hands-Free Phone).............. 80
Understanding Your Instrument Panel......... 161
INDEX 397
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