2009 DODGE CALIBER SRT Owners Manual

WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don’t lean over the battery when attaching the
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in your eyes or on your skin, flush
the contaminated area immediately with large
quantities of water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery
or any other booster source with an output that
exceeds 12-Volts.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery. Make sure you have a good
contact.6. If the vehicle is equipped with a Sentry KeyImmo-
bilizer, turn the ignition switch to the ON position for
three seconds before moving the ignition switch to the
START position.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the se-
quence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or ESP, turn the system OFF before attempting to
“rock” the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 319
6

front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and 1st gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion without spin-
ning the wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle, tire
damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are stuck.
And don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Automatic Transaxle
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with
the front wheels elevated or on a flatbed truck (all four
wheels off the ground).
•All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles must be towed on a
flatbed truck (all four wheels off the ground).
320 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Manual Transaxle
•
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•FWD vehicles can be towed with the front or rear
wheels elevated.
•FWD or AWD vehicles can be towed on a flatbed truck
(all wheels off the ground).
All Transaxles
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ACC position, not
in the LOCK position.
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 321
6

Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. A dolly should be
used under the front wheels if the rear wheels are raised.
Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.Battery power is required to release the brake/
transmission interlock system. There is a removable plug
in the right side of the shift lever housing that allows you
to insert your finger to override the system. The ignition
key must be in the ON position to use the override lever.
322 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.4L Turbo......... 325
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II....... 326
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 326
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................ 327
Replacement Parts..................... 328
Dealer Service........................ 329
Maintenance Procedures................. 329
▫Engine Oil......................... 329▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter............... 332
▫Maintenance-Free Battery............... 333
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance............ 335
▫Body Lubrication..................... 336
▫Windshield Wiper Blades............... 336
▫Adding Washer Fluid.................. 337
▫Exhaust System...................... 337
▫Cooling System...................... 339
▫Brake System....................... 345
7

▫Manual Transaxle.................... 346
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion.......................... 347
Fuses.............................. 352
▫Integrated Power Module............... 352
Vehicle Storage....................... 355
Replacement Bulbs..................... 355
Bulb Replacement..................... 356
▫Headlights/Front Parking/Front
Turn Signal......................... 356▫Fog Lights......................... 356
▫Tail Lights, Rear Turn Signals And Backup
Lights............................. 357
▫License Lights....................... 357
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplight.......... 358
Fluids And Capacities................... 359
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts....... 360
▫Engine............................ 360
▫Chassis............................ 361
324 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L TURBO
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir 6 — 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 — Power Distribution Center 10 — Engine Coolant ReservoirMAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 3257

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transaxle control systems. When these systems are oper-
ating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent per-
formance and fuel economy, as well as maintaining
engine emissions well within current government regu-
lations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist an authorized service technician in making repairs.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the “Malfunction Indica-
tor Light” on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
•If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose or
improperly installed. A “GASCAP” message will be
displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap
until aclickingsound is heard. This is an indication that
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE