2012 Dodge Caliber Owner's Manual
Year:
2012
Make:
Dodge
Model:
Caliber
Rating:
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
5
INTRODUCTION
6
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
6
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
8
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
8
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
9
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
11
A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
14
Ignition Key Removal
14
Locking Doors With A Key
16
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
16
SENTRY KEYĥ
17
Replacement Keys
18
Customer Key Programming
18
General Information
19
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
20
To Arm The System
20
Rearming The System
21
To Disarm The System
21
Vehicle Security Alarm Manual Override
21
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) — IF EQUIPPED
22
To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate
23
Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All First Press
23
Illuminated Approach — If Equipped
24
To Lock The Doors And Liftgate
24
Sound Horn With Remote Key Lock
24
Flash Lights With Remote Key Lock/Unlock
25
Using The Panic Alarm
26
Programming Additional Transmitters
26
General Information
26
Transmitter Battery Replacement
27
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
28
How To Use Remote Start
28
DOOR LOCKS
31
Power Door Locks
32
Child-Protection Door Lock System (Rear Doors) — If Equipped
36
POWER WINDOWS — IF EQUIPPED
37
Power Window Switches
37
Auto-Down
38
Window Lockout Switch
39
LIFTGATE
39
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
41
Lap/Shoulder Belts
44
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
50
Lap/ Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions With A Mini-Latch And Buckle
51
Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure
54
Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions
54
Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) — If Equipped
55
Energy Management Feature
56
Seat Belt Pretensioners
56
Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) — If Equipped
57
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlertĥ)
61
Seat Belt Extender
63
Seat Belts And Pregnant Women
63
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air Bags
63
Advanced Front Air Bag Features
66
Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls
70
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
77
Child Restraints
78
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
88
SAFETY TIPS
89
Transporting Passengers
89
Exhaust Gas
90
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle
91
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The Vehicle
93
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
95
MIRRORS
99
Inside Day/Night Mirror
99
Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped
99
Outside Mirror — Driver Side
100
Outside Mirror — Passenger Side
100
Power Mirrors — If Equipped
101
Heated Mirrors — If Equipped
102
Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped
102
Sun Visor Sliding Feature
103
Uconnect™ Phone — IF EQUIPPED
103
Operation
105
Phone Call Features
112
Uconnect™ Phone Features
115
Advanced Phone Connectivity
120
Things You Should Know About Your Uconnect™ Phone
122
General Information
133
VOICE COMMAND — IF EQUIPPED
133
Voice Command System Operation
133
Commands
134
Voice Training
138
SEATS
138
Power Seats — If Equipped
139
Heated Seats — If Equipped
140
Manual Front Seat Forward/Rearward Adjustment
142
Manual Seat Height Adjustment — If Equipped
143
Manual Lumbar — If Equipped
143
Driver's Seatback Recline
144
Fold-Flat Front Passenger Seat
145
Head Restraints
146
Folding Rear Seat
149
Reclining Rear Seat — If Equipped
150
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
152
LIGHTS
154
Multifunction Lever
154
Headlights And Parking Lights
155
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
155
Lights-On Reminder
156
Fog Lights — If Equipped
156
Turn Signals
157
High/Low Beam Switch
157
Flash-To-Pass
157
Instrument Panel Dimmer
158
Map/Reading Lights
159
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
160
Windshield Wiper Operation
161
Intermittent Wiper System
162
Windshield Washers
162
Mist Feature
163
TILT STEERING COLUMN
164
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
164
To Activate
165
To Set A Desired Speed
166
To Deactivate
166
To Resume Speed
166
To Vary The Speed Setting
166
Manual Transmission
167
To Accelerate For Passing
167
GARAGE DOOR OPENER — IF EQUIPPED
168
Before You Begin Programming HomeLinkĥ
169
Programming A Rolling Code
170
Programming A Non-Rolling Code
172
Canadian/Gate Operator Programming
173
Using HomeLinkĥ
174
Security
175
Troubleshooting Tips
175
General Information
176
POWER SUNROOF — IF EQUIPPED
177
Opening Sunroof — Express
178
Opening Sunroof — Manual Mode
178
Closing Sunroof — Express
178
Closing Sunroof — Manual Mode
178
Pinch Protect Feature
178
Venting Sunroof — Express
179
Sunshade Operation
179
Wind Buffeting
179
Sunroof Maintenance
179
Ignition Off Operation
179
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
180
POWER INVERTER — IF EQUIPPED
182
CUPHOLDERS
185
CONSOLE FEATURES
186
CARGO AREA FEATURES
187
Cargo Light/Removable Self-Recharging Flashlight
187
Cargo Cover
189
Removable Load Floor
191
Cargo Tie-Down Loops
191
Fold Down Speakers — If Equipped
192
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
192
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
192
Rear Window Defroster
193
CHILL ZONEĥ BEVERAGE COOLER STORAGE COMPARTMENT — IF EQUIPPED
194
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
197
INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
200
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER — BASE
201
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER — PREMIUM
202
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
203
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC) — IF EQUIPPED
217
Oil Change Required — If Equipped
219
EVIC Functions
220
Compass/Temperature/Audio
220
Average Fuel Economy
221
Distance To Empty (DTE)
221
Elapsed Time
221
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
221
Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
222
MEDIA CENTER 230 (REQ) — AM/FM STEREO RADIO AND 6–DISC CD/DVD CHANGER (MP3/WMA AUX JACK)
227
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
228
Operation Instructions - (DISC MODE for CD and MP3/WMA Audio Play, DVD-VIDEO)
236
Notes On Playing MP3/WMA Files
238
LIST Button (DISC Mode for MP3/WMA Play)
240
INFO Button (DISC Mode for MP3/WMA Play)
241
Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite Radio) — If Equipped
243
MEDIA CENTER 730N/430/430N (RHR/RER/RBZ/RHB) CD/DVD/HDD/NAV — IF EQUIPPED
247
Operating Instructions (Voice Command System) — If Equipped
247
Operating Instructions (Uconnect™ Phone) — If Equipped
247
MEDIA CENTER 130 (SALES CODE RES)
248
Operating Instructions — Radio Mode
248
Operation Instructions — CD MODE For CD And MP3 Audio Play
251
Notes on Playing MP3 Files
253
Operation Instructions - Auxiliary Mode
256
RSC)
256
Operating Instructions — Radio Mode
257
Operation Instructions — CD MODE for CD and MP3 Audio Play
262
Notes On Playing MP3 Files
264
LIST Button (CD Mode for MP3 Play)
267
INFO Button (CD Mode for MP3 Play)
267
Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite Radio) — If Equipped
268
iPodĥ/USB/MP3 CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
272
Connecting The iPodĥ Or External USB Device
273
Using This Feature
274
Controlling The iPodĥ Or External USB Device Using Radio Buttons
274
Play Mode
274
List Or Browse Mode
276
Bluetooth Streaming Audio (BTSA)
278
STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS — IF EQUIPPED
279
Radio Operation
280
CD Player
280
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
281
RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES
281
CLIMATE CONTROLS
282
Manual Heating And Air Conditioning
282
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If Equipped
286
Operating Tips
292
STARTING AND OPERATING
297
STARTING PROCEDURES
301
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
301
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
301
Normal Starting
302
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or ̺29°C)
303
If Engine Fails To Start
303
After Starting
303
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
304
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
304
Five–Speed Manual Transmission
304
Recommended Shift Speeds
305
Downshifting
306
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
306
Key Ignition Park Interlock
308
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
308
Gear Ranges
309
AUTOSTICKĥ — IF EQUIPPED
314
Operation
314
General Information
315
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
316
Acceleration
316
Traction
316
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
317
Flowing/Rising Water
317
Shallow Standing Water
317
POWER STEERING
319
Power Steering Fluid Check
320
PARKING BRAKE
321
BRAKE SYSTEM
323
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
324
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
326
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
327
Brake Assist System (BAS)
327
Traction Control System (TCS)
328
Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transmission Only
328
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
330
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and ESC OFF Indicator Light
332
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
333
Tire Markings
333
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
337
Tire Terminology And Definitions
338
Tire Loading And Tire Pressure
339
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
343
Tire Pressure
343
Tire Inflation Pressures
344
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation
345
Radial Ply Tires
346
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire and Wheel – If Equipped
346
Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped
347
Full Size Spare – If Equipped
348
Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped
348
Tire Spinning
349
Tread Wear Indicators
350
Life Of Tire
350
Replacement Tires
351
TIRE CHAINS
353
SNOW TIRES
353
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
353
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
355
Base System
357
Premium System – If Equipped
360
General Information
364
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
365
2.0L And 2.4L Engine
365
Reformulated Gasoline
365
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
366
E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles
366
MMT In Gasoline
367
Materials Added To Fuel
367
Fuel System Cautions
368
Carbon Monoxide Warnings
369
ADDING FUEL
369
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
369
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
371
VEHICLE LOADING
371
Vehicle Certification Label
372
TRAILER TOWING
374
Common Towing Definitions
374
Installing A Trailer Hitch
376
Trailer Hitch Classification
377
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
378
Trailer And Tongue Weight
379
Towing Requirements
380
Towing Tips
385
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
387
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
387
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
389
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
390
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
390
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
391
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
392
Jack Location
393
Spare Tire Stowage
393
Preparations For Jacking
394
Jacking Instructions
394
Road Tire Installation
400
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
403
Preparations For Jump-Start
404
Jump-Starting Procedure
405
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
407
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
409
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
410
With Ignition Key
411
Without The Ignition Key
412
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
413
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
415
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
416
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
417
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
417
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
418
REPLACEMENT PARTS
419
DEALER SERVICE
419
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
420
Engine Oil
421
Engine Oil Filter
424
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
424
Maintenance-Free Battery
425
Air Conditioner Maintenance
426
Body Lubrication
427
Windshield Wiper Blades
428
Adding Washer Fluid
428
Exhaust System
429
Cooling System
432
Brake System
437
Automatic Transmission (CVT) – If Equipped
440
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
441
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
441
FUSES
447
Integrated Power Module
447
VEHICLE STORAGE
451
REPLACEMENT BULBS
451
BULB REPLACEMENT
452
Front Headlamps, Parking, and Turn Signal Lamps
452
Fog Lamps
452
Rear Tail, Turn Signal, and Backup Lamps
453
License Lamps
455
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
456
FLUID CAPACITIES
457
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE PARTS
458
Engine
458
Chassis
459
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
461
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
462
Required Maintenance Intervals
464
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
477
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE
479
Prepare For The Appointment
479
Prepare A List
479
Be Reasonable With Requests
479
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
479
Chrysler Group LLC Customer Center
480
Chrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center
480
In Mexico contact:
480
Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech Impaired (TDD/TTY)
481
Service Contract
481
WARRANTY INFORMATION
482
MOPARĥ PARTS
482
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
482
In the 50 United States and Washington, D.C.
482
In Canada
483
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
483
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES
485
Treadwear
485
Traction Grades
485
Temperature Grades
486
2012 Dodge Caliber Overview
Introduction
The 2012 Dodge Caliber is a versatile compact hatchback that caters to both style and functionality. With its sporty design, spacious interior, and practical features, the Caliber appeals to a diverse range of drivers. It is particularly recognized for its affordability and the array of options it offers, making it a sensible choice for individuals and families alike. Whether you're navigating through city streets or embarking on a weekend adventure, the Caliber delivers a well-rounded driving experience.
Powertrains
Under the hood, the 2012 Dodge Caliber offers a variety of powertrains to cater to different preferences. The base model is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower, delivering a notable balance of efficiency and power. For those seeking a bit more excitement, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder option is available, generating 168 horsepower. Both engines come paired with a six-speed manual transmission, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an option for added convenience. Fuel efficiency remains competitive, providing city and highway mileage that is appealing for daily commutes.
Trims
The 2012 Dodge Caliber is available in several trims, each offering distinct features and enhancements. The lineup includes the base SE, the mid-level SXT, and the sport-oriented R/T model. Each trim builds off the last with increasing levels of sophistication, including upgraded sound systems, stylish alloy wheels, and enhanced interior comforts. The R/T model features a sport-tuned suspension and unique styling cues that provide a more dynamic driving experience.
Features
Inside, the Caliber is equipped with an impressive array of features designed for comfort and convenience. Standard features include air conditioning, keyless entry, and a four-speaker sound system, while higher trims can offer leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and a touchscreen interface for easy access to navigation and entertainment options. With ample cargo space and clever interior storage solutions, the Caliber is perfect for those who prioritize practicality.
Owners Manual
The owner's manual for the 2012 Dodge Caliber is an invaluable resource for drivers. It provides comprehensive information on the vehicle's maintenance schedule, troubleshooting tips, and features that ensure optimal performance. Each manual is designed to enhance the ownership experience, guiding users through everything from basic operation to advanced features, ensuring that drivers can fully enjoy all that their Caliber has to offer.
User manual download
The Dodge Caliber owner manual for the 2012 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2012 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.
Posted by, John Mana
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