2010 DODGE CALIBER User Guide

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four
Wheels On The Ground)
Recreational Towing
ConditionManual Transaxle Vehicles
Automatic Transaxle
Vehicles
Four Wheel Flat Tow (All
Wheels on Ground) Yes
Never
Two Wheel Dolly Tow (Front
or Rear Wheels on Ground) Never
Never
Flat Bed Tow (All Wheels on
Bed of Truck) Ye s
Ye s
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with manual
transaxles may be recreationally towed
(flat towed) at any legal highway speed,
for any distance, if the manual transaxle
is in NEUTRAL and the ignition key is in
the ACC position.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an automatic
transaxle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require
towing, make sure all four wheels
are off the ground.
• Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal damage to the
transaxle will occur if a front or rear
wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
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UTILITY

BRAKE/TRANSMISSION
INTERLOCK SYSTEM
• The manual override may be used inthe event that the shift lever should
fail to move from PARK with the Key
Fob in the ON position and the brake
pedal pressed.
• To operate the shift lock manual override, perform the following steps: • Locate and remove the removable
plug in the right side of the shift
lever housing.
• Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position without starting the
engine.
• Firmly set the parking brake.
• Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
• Using your finger, press and hold the override tab through the
access port.
• Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position and start the
vehicle.
• Reinstall the removable plug.
• Release the parking brake.
• Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized dealer if the shift
lock manual override has been used.
UTILITY
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24-HOUR TOWING ASSISTANCE - U.S. ONLY
• Dial toll-free 1-800-521-2779 or 1-800-363-4869 for Canadian residents.
• Provide your name, vehicle identification number and license plate number.
• Provide your location, including telephone number, from which you are calling.
• Briefly describe the nature of the problem and answer a few simple questions.
• You will be given the name of the service provider and an estimated time of arrival. Ifyou feel you are in an “unsafe situation”, please let us know. With your consent, we
will contact local police or safety authorities.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light
• If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indic ator Light” comes on continuously with the
engine running, a malfunction has been detect ed in the ESC system. If this light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles
(kilometers) at speeds greater th an 30 mph (48 km/h), we recommend you do not
operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
• The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. If the light begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be
sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. The light also
flashes when TCS is active. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep
snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESC system to Partial Off mode
by momentarily pressing the ESC Off
switch.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
• A Tire Pressure Monitoring Light and a “low tire” message will display in your instrument cluster along with an audible chime if one or more of your vehicle’s four
road tires are significantly under-inflated.
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire and inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire
and Loading Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening. The TPMS
light should not be used as a tire pressure gauge when adjusting your tire pressure.
• It is recommended that you check the tire pressure once a month in the morning when tires are cool; inflate each tire to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. The light
will turn off after your vehicle’s tire pressures are properly inflated and the pressure
has been recognized. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) before the light will turn off.
• Temperature changes can affect tire pressure, causing the TPMS light to turn on. Tire pressures will also increase as the vehicle is driven – this is normal and you should
not adjust for this in creased pressure.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

• Driving on under-inflated tires reduces yourvehicle’s fuel efficiency and tire tread life.
If a spare tire is in use on the vehicle, the TPMS light may turn on.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, t urn it off. Also, shiftthe transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperat ure reading does not return to normal,
turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangero us. You or others could be badly burned by
steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealership for service if
your vehicle overheats.
- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction or the
parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied, it
indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster problem or an
Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system
may have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an accident.
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or m issing gas cap,poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays
on through several typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive
normally and not require towing.
• If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. We recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical charging system. If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system.
• We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Oil Pressure Warning Light
• This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop thevehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for four
minutes when this light turns on.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
• This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommendyou drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
• This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
• If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the engine is running. Cycle theignition when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in the
PARK position; the light should turn off.
• If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized dealer for service immediately. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate servi ce is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an el evated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
- Airbag Warning Light
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Transaxle Temperature Warning Light
• This light indicates that ther e is excessive transmission fluid temperat ure that might
occur with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, you will
experience reduced vehicle performance unti l the automatic transaxle cools down. If
the overheating continues, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle, with the
transmission in NEUTRAL, until the light turns off. Once the light turns off, you may
continue to drive normally.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Fuel Cap/Loose Gas Cap Message
• If a “gas cap” message (shown as gASCAP) appears, tighten the gas cap until a“clicking” sound is heard.
• Press the odometer reset button, located belo w the tachometer, to turn the message
off.
• If the message continues to appear for mor e than three days after tightening the gas
cap, see your authorized dealer.
Oil Change Indicator
Message
• If an “oil change” message (shown as CHAngE OIL) appears and a single chime
sounds, it is time for your next required oil change.
Resetting The Light After Servicing
• Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (do not start engine).
• Fully depress the accelerator pedal three times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
• In any of the following situations, you c an reduce the potential for overheating by
taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift tran smission intoNEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat
condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove 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.
• If the temperature reading does not re turn to normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads HOT (H), 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
HOT (H), and you hear continuous chimes, t urn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from
your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open the
hood until the radiator has had time to co ol. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
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.
• When the transaxle overheat warning light
turns on, you will experience reduced
performance until the automatic transaxle cools down. Once the transaxle has cooled
down and the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally. If the high speed is
maintained, the overheating will continue to occur.
• If the overheating continues, it may become necessary to stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle with the transaxle in NEUTRAL until the light turns off.
45
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic.Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of your body under a
vehicle that 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.
WARNING!
• The compact spare tire is for emergency use only. Installation of this compact sparetire affects vehicle handling.
• Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare tire.
• Keep the compact spare tire inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure, listed on either your tire placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
• Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
• A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop, could endanger the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and spare tire in the places
provided.
Jack Location
• The jack and jack-handle are stowed underthe load floor in the trunk.
Spare Tire Stowage
• The compact spare tire is stowed under therear load floor in the trunk.
• To remove the spare tire, lift up the load floor cover and remove the hold down.
Preparations For Jacking
• Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice orslippery areas.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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