Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 3

FLUID TYPES

DESCRIPTION

ENGINE OIL

WARNING: New or used engine oil can be irritating to the skin. Avoid prolonged or repeated skin contact
with engine oil. Contaminants in used engine oil, caused by internal combustion, can be hazardous to your
health. Thoroughly wash exposed skin with soap and water. Do not wash skin with gasoline, diesel fuel,
thinner, or solvents, health problems can result. Do not pollute, dispose of used engine oil properly. Contact
your dealer or government agency for location of collection center in your area.

When service is required, DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends that only Mopar

brand parts, lubricants and

chemicals be used. Mopar

provides the best engineered products for servicing DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehi-

cles.

Only lubricants bearing designations defined by the following organization should be used.

•

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

•

American Petroleum Institute (API)

•

National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI)

•

Association des Constructeurs Européens d’ Automobiles (European Automobile Manufacturers Association)
(ACEA)

API CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE SYMBOL

Use an engine oil that is API Certified and Licensed to
display the certification mark. MOPAR

provides

engine oils that meet or exceed, Material Standard
MS-6395 requirement.

SAE VISCOSITY

SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 engine oils are recom-
mended for all operating temperatures. These
engine oils are designed to improve low tempera-
ture starting and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to
the engine oil filler cap for the preferred engine oil
viscosity grade for each vehicle. SAE viscosity
grades are used to specify the correct viscosity oil for
an engine. Use only Multi-Viscosity oils such as SAE
5W-20 or 5W-30. These are specified with a dual SAE
viscosity grade which indicates the cold (5W) to hot
(20, 30) temperature performance range of the oil.

ACEA CATEGORIES

For countries that use the ACEA European Oil Categories for service fill oils, use engine oils that meet the require-
ments of ACEA A1/B1, A2/B2, or A3/B3.

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

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CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION

The Engine Oil Certification Mark was developed and
trademarked by the API to refer customers to those
engine oils preferred by the automobile manufacturers.
This symbol means that the oil has been certified and
licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
This certification mark will only be found on the front
of the oil containers. Those oils that do not display the
“Mark” on the front of the container should not be
used.

DaimlerChrysler

only

recommends

API

Certified

engine oils that meet the requirements of Material
Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395.

SYNTHETIC ENGINE OILS

There are a number of engine oils being promoted as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use such
a product, use only those oils that are certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to display the “Certification
Mark” and show SAE viscosity grade recommended for each vehicle. Follow the service schedule that describes
your driving type.

ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES/SUPPLEMENTS

The manufacturer does not recommend the addition of any engine oil additives/supplements to the specified
engine oil. Engine oil additives/supplements should not be used to enhance engine oil performance. Engine oil addi-
tives/supplements should not be used to extend engine oil change intervals. No additive is known to be safe for
engine durability and can degrade emission components. Additives can contain undesirable materials that harm the
long term durability of engines and emission systems by:

•

Increasing the level of Phosphorus and Sulfur in the engine oil. The API Certified Engine Oils control the Phos-
phorus and Sulfur contents of the oil to levels that reduce the contamination effect on the vehicles emission
control system.

•

Altering the viscosity characteristics of the engine oil so that it no longer meets the requirements of the spec-
ified viscosity grade.

•

Creating potential for an undesirable additive compatibility interaction in the engine crankcase. The engine oils
contain a performance additive system carefully developed to optimize the oils performance in the engine. The
addition of supplements may cause the oil to thicken prematurely, cause excessive deposit build-up and poten-
tially shorten engine life.

ENGINE COOLANT

WARNING: Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol base coolant and is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. If swal-
lowed, drink two glasses of water and induce vomiting. If inhaled, move to fresh air area. Seek medical
attention immediately. Do not store in open or unmarked containers. Wash skin and clothing thoroughly
after coming in contact with ethylene glycol. Keep out of reach of children. Dispose of glycol base coolant
properly, contact your dealer or government agency for location of collection center in your area. Do not
open a cooling system when the engine is at operating temperature or hot under pressure, personal injury
can result. Avoid radiator cooling fan when engine compartment related service is performed, personal
injury can result.

CAUTION: Use of Propylene Glycol based coolants is not recommended, as they provide less freeze pro-
tection and less boiling protection.

The cooling system is designed around the coolant. The coolant must accept heat from engine metal, in the cylinder
head area near the exhaust valves and engine block. Then coolant carries the heat to the radiator where the tube/
fin radiator can transfer the heat to the air.

The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, and water pumps requires special corrosion protection.
Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769), or the equivalent ethylene glycol base coolant

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LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

with hybrid organic corrosion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) is recommended. This
coolant offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when mixed with 50% Ethylene Glycol and 50% distilled
water to obtain a freeze point of -37°C (-35°F). If it loses color or becomes contaminated, drain, flush, and replace
with fresh properly mixed coolant solution.

The green coolant MUST NOT BE MIXED with the orange or magenta coolants. When replacing coolant the com-
plete system flush must be performed before using the replacement coolant.

CAUTION: Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769) may not be mixed with any

other type of antifreeze. Doing so will reduce the corrosion protection and may result in premature water
pump seal failure. If non-HOAT coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an emergency, it should be
replaced with the specified coolant as soon as possible.

TRANSMISSION FLUID

NOTE: Refer to the maintenance schedules in the Owner’s Manual for the recommended maintenance (fluid/
filter change) intervals for this transaxle.

NOTE: All transaxles have a common transmission and differential sump. Filling the transaxle accommo-
dates the differential as well.

TRANSMISSION FLUID

Mopar

CVT+4 is required in the CVT automatic transaxles.

Mopar

CVT+4 when new is green in color. As the vehicle is driven, the ATF will begin to look darker in color and

may eventually become brown. This is normal. A dark brown/black fluid accompanied with a burnt odor and/or
deterioration in shift quality may indicate fluid deterioration or transmission component failure.

G288 and T350 Manual transaxles require the use of Mopar

ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid)

FLUID ADDITIVES

DaimlerChrysler strongly recommends against the addition of any fluids to the transmission, other than those auto-
matic transmission fluids listed above. Exceptions to this policy are the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks.

Various “special” additives and supplements exist that claim to improve shift feel and/or quality. These additives and
others also claim to improve converter clutch operation and inhibit overheating, oxidation, varnish, and sludge.
These claims have not been supported to the satisfaction of DaimlerChrysler and these additives must not be
used. The use of transmission “sealers” should also be avoided, since they may adversely affect the integrity of
transmission seals.

FUEL REQUIREMENTS

Your engine is designed to meet all emissions regulations and provide excellent fuel economy and performance
when using high quality unleaded gasoline having an octane rating of 87. The use of premium gasoline is not rec-
ommended. The use of premium gasoline will provide no benefit over high quality regular gasoline, and in some
circumstances may result in poorer performance.

Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is required. Engine damage resulting from operation with a
heavy spark knock may not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.

Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of gasoline before considering service for the vehicle.

Over 40 auto manufacturers world-wide have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifications (the Worldwide
Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions, performance and durability
for your vehicle. We recommend the use of gasolines that meet the WWFC specifications if they are available.

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

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REFORMULATED GASOLINE

Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner burning gasoline referred to as “reformulated” gasoline. Refor-
mulated gasoline contain oxygenates, and are specifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air
quality.

We strongly support the use of reformulated gasoline. Properly blended reformulated gasoline will provide excellent
performance and durability for the engine and fuel system components.

GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS

Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE, and ETBE. Oxygenates
are required in some areas of the country during the winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. Fuels
blended with these oxygenates may be used in your vehicle.

CAUTION: DO NOT use gasoline containing METHANOL. Gasoline containing methanol may damage critical
fuel system components.

MMT IN GASOLINE

MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasoline
blended with MMT provide no performance advantage beyond gasoline of the same octane number without MMT.
Gasoline blended with MMT reduce spark plug life and reduce emission system performance in some vehicles. We
recommend that gasoline free of MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated
on the gasoline pump; therefore, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains
MMT.

It is even more important to look for gasoline without MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at levels higher
than allowed in the United States. MMT is prohibited in Federal and California reformulated gasoline.

SULFUR IN GASOLINE

If you live in the northeast United States, your vehicle may have been designed to meet California low emission
standards with Cleaner-Burning California reformulated gasoline with low sulfur. If such fuels are not available in
states adopting California emission standards, your vehicles will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal spec-
ifications, but emission control system performance may be adversely affected. Gasoline sold outside of California is
permitted to have higher sulfur levels which may affect the performance of the vehicle’s catalytic converter. This may
cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light to illuminate. We recom-
mend that you try a different brand of unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the problem is fuel
related prior to returning your vehicle to an authorized dealer for service.

CAUTION: If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light is flashing,
immediate service is required; see on-board diagnostics system section.

MATERIALS ADDED TO FUEL

All gasoline sold in the United States and Canada are required to contain effective detergent additives. Use of addi-
tional detergents or other additives is not needed under normal conditions.

FUEL SYSTEM CAUTIONS

CAUTION: Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s performance:

•

The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law. Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system, and could result in loss of warranty coverage.

•

An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to overheat. If
you notice a pungent burning odor or some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or malfunctioning and
may require immediate service. Contact your dealer for service assistance.

•

When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded vehicle when the humidity is low and the temperature is
high, use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent spark knock. If spark knock persists, lighten the load, or
engine piston damage may result.

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