2009 DODGE CALIBER oil

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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”,
pull over when safe and stop the vehicle with the
engine at idle. Turn the air conditioner off and wait
until the pointer drops back into the normal range.
After appropriate action has been taken, if the
pointer remains on the “H”, turn the engine OFF
immediately and call for service.
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 the
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.0L ............. 339
 Engine Compartment — 2.4L ............. 340
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 341
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 341
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 342
 Replacement Parts ..................... 343
 Dealer Service ........................ 343
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 344 ▫
Engine Oil ......................... 344
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 347
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 347
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 348
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 349
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 350
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 350
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 351
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 351
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Integrated Power Module
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Battery (Under Cover)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Air Cleaner Filter 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 339
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Battery
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
340 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

your vehicle. Refer to these manuals before attempting
any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the requiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated range
will result in the oil level at the full end of the indicator
range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for
recommended engine oil change intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 345
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American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also states the recommended engine oil viscosity
grade for your engine.Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental
additives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filtersfrom your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
station, or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
All of this manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type
disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consider-
ably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure
most efficient service. MOPARengine oil filters are high
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance interval.
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are
recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 347
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