2012 DODGE CALIBER checking oil

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
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 afully 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.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
about five minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut
off, 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 crosshatch 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 461

Brake Assist System................... 325
Electronic Stability Program ............. 328
Traction Control System ................ 326
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 162
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 328
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 215
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 390
Jump Starting ....................... 401
Towing ............................ 408
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 416
Engine ............................ 413,414
Block Heater ........................ 302
Break-In Recommendations .............. 86
Checking Oil Level ................... 419
Cooling ........................... 430
Exhaust Gas Caution ................88,367
Fuel Requirements .................... 363
Jump Starting ....................... 401 Oil .........................
419,455,456
Oil Change Interval ................... 420
Oil Filler Cap .................. 413,414,421
Oil Filter ........................... 456
Oil Selection ........................ 420
Oil Synthetic ........................ 421
Overheating ........................ 388
Temperature Gauge ................... 201
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 72
Ethanol ............................... 364
Event Data Recorder ...................... 75
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 38,88,367
Exhaust System ....................... 88,427
Exterior Lights .......................... 91
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 202
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 422
Air Conditioning ..................... 292
490 INDEX

New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 86
Occupant Restraints ..................... 68,72
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .........39,65,66,68,71
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 363
Odometer ............................. 206
Trip ........................... 206,208
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 207
Oil, Engine ......................... 419,455
Capacity ........................... 455
Change Interval ..................... 420
Checking .......................... 419
Disposal ........................... 421
Filter ............................. 422
Identification Logo ................... 420
Materials Added to ................... 421
Recommendation .................. 420,455
Synthetic .......................... 421
Viscosity ........................... 421 Onboard Diagnostic System
..............415,416
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 166
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overheating, Engine ................... 201,388
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,481
Paint Care ............................. 439
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 319
Passing Light ........................... 155
Personal Settings ........................ 220
Pets .................................. 86
Phone, Cellular ......................... 101
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) ............. 101
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 337
Power Door Locks ......................... 30
Mirrors ............................ 99
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 178
496 INDEX