2008 DODGE CALIBER SRT coolant level

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 thered(260É) 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, or in heavy stop and go
traffic.If the pointer rises to theredmark (260É), 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 theredmark (260É), 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 157
4

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance 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 Mopar Antifreeze/ 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
234ÉF (237ÉC ) 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 insure 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 311
7

WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº 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.
²Do 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 ªADDº and ªFULLº lines, shown on the
bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing 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.
312 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 (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally 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.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
²If 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 pres-
sure tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep 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 313
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)13.5 Gallons 51.0 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter5.0 Quarts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Miles Formula), or
equivalent.7.5 Quarts 7.1 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 333
7

²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
²Check the Manual Transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
340 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 239
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 293
Child Restraint.......................... 56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 60
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 59
Child Safety Locks........................ 21
Child Seat.............................. 63
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 264
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 320
Climate Control......................... 213
Clock........................180,183,190,203
Clutch............................... 316
Clutch Fluid........................... 316
Coin Holder........................... 140
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 211
Compass.............................. 178
Compass Calibration..................... 178Compass Variance....................... 176
Console.............................. 140
Contract, Service........................ 349
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 226
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................333,334
Cooler, Beverage........................ 148
Cooling System......................... 309
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 311
Coolant Level......................309,312
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 312
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 309
Inspection........................... 312
Points to Remember................. 311,313
Pressure Cap......................... 311
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)........... 310
Corrosion Protection..................... 318
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 301
Cruise Light........................... 160
Cup Holder............................ 140
358 INDEX