2011 DODGE CALIBER Owners Manual

Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 287

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 293
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 293
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 293
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 293
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 294
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 294
▫ After Starting ....................... 295
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 295
Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 296
▫ Five–Speed Manual Transmission ......... 296
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ............. 297
▫ Downshifting ....................... 297
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 298
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System ............................ 299
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 300
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 300
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AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 302
▫ Operation ......................... 302
▫ General Information .................. 303
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 303
▫ Acceleration ........................ 303
▫ Traction ........................... 304
 Driving Through Water ................. 304
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 305
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 305
 Power Steering ....................... 307
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 308
 Parking Brake ........................ 308 
Brake System ........................ 311
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 312
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 314
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 314
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 314
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 315
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 316
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 317
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 319
 Tire Safety Information ................. 320
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 320
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 324
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 325
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 326
 Tires — General Information ............. 330
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 330
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 331
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 333
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 333
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 334
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 334
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 335
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 335
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 336 ▫
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 337
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 337
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 338
 Tire Chains .......................... 339
 Snow Tires .......................... 339
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 340
 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..... 341
▫ Base System ........................ 343
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 345
▫ General Information .................. 349
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 350
▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine ................. 350
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 350
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STARTING AND OPERATING 291

▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 351
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 351
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 352
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 352
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 352
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 353
 Adding Fuel ......................... 354
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 354
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 356
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 356
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 356
Trailer Towing ........................ 358
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 358
▫ Installing A Trailer Hitch ............... 361
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 361
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 362
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 363
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 364
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 369
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 370
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 370
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.NOTE:
•The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
•If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is
locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve
pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the
key.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:
You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
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STARTING AND OPERATING 293

and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully.
Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies” for further information.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to
the START position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it
will disengage automatically when the engine is running.
If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine
294 STARTING AND OPERATING