2008 DODGE CALIBER coolant temperature

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Indicator
This indicates that the Fuel Filler Door is located on the
left side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

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

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