🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Dodge Model: Caliber Year: 2009 Codes Platform Code: PM Chassis Code: JS 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Compact Crossover SUV / Compact Hatchback (market positioning varies by region) Target Audience: Budget-conscious buyers, small families, individuals seeking a versatile and affordable vehicle Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra Key Features Versatility: Spacious interior for its class, flexible cargo options (e.g., fold-flat seats), available AWD Affordability: Competitive pricing and operating costs Design: Distinctive styling, often described as a 'four-door coupe' or 'crossover' depending on trim and market 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Primary Coverage: Features, controls, maintenance, service schedules, DIY activities, towing, safety Trim Level Coverage: Likely covers all standard trims for the 2009 model year (e.g., SE, SXT, R/T) Page Count Estimated Page Count: Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for a comprehensive owner's manual) Manual Type Type: Owner's Manual Language Language: English Format Format: PDF (Electronic Version) 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain: Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive operation, All-Wheel Drive system (if applicable) Chassis: Braking system, steering system, suspension system Electrical: Battery, charging system, lighting, instrument cluster, power windows, locks, basic warning lights Climate Control: HVAC system operation, manual and automatic climate control (if equipped) Infotainment: Audio system operation, radio, CD player, connectivity options (aux input, potentially Bluetooth for later trims) Procedures Included Routine Maintenance: Oil changes, fluid checks and top-offs, tire pressure checks, wiper blade replacement Diy Activities: Basic troubleshooting, tire changing, jump starting, cabin air filter replacement (likely) Safety Operations: Seat belt usage, airbag system explanation, child restraint installation, emergency procedures Towing Information: Towing capacity, trailer brake controller information (if equipped), towing preparation Technical Depth Depth: Owner-level, focusing on operation, care, and basic troubleshooting. Not a full factory service manual. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: Portable Document Format (PDF) Searchability: Likely text-searchable, enabling quick access to information Print Quality Print Ability: Printable on standard home or office printers Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital format) Paper Type Paper Quality: N/A (Digital format) Compatibility Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux Software Requirements: PDF Reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code Standard: GEMA (World Engine) Displacement Base: 2.0 Liters (1998 cc) Configuration Base: Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve Horsepower Base: 158 hp @ 6300 rpm Torque Base: 141 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm Optional Engine 1 Engine Code Optional 1: GEMA Displacement Optional 1: 2.4 Liters (2360 cc) Configuration Optional 1: Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT Horsepower Optional 1: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm Torque Optional 1: 165 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Optional Engine 2 Engine Code Optional 2: Turbocharged (for SRT-4 trim, though less common for this era manual) Displacement Optional 2: 2.4 Liters (2378 cc) Configuration Optional 2: Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, Turbocharged Horsepower Optional 2: 285 hp @ 5200 rpm (SRT-4) Torque Optional 2: 265 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm (SRT-4) Fuel System Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline, 87 octane recommended (higher for SRT-4) 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Type Standard: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - most common for this model year Optional Transmission Type Optional: 5-speed Manual Transmission (Getrag Getrag DDCT or standard manual, depending on engine and trim) Features AWD Availability: Optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system available with the 2.4L engine and CVT Fluid Specifications Cvt Fluid Type: Refer to manual for specific CVT fluid (e.g., Mopar CVTF 4) Manual Transmission Fluid Type: Refer to manual for specific manual transmission fluid (e.g., Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length: Approximately 171.5 inches (4356 mm) Width: Approximately 69.5 inches (1765 mm) Height: Approximately 60.4 inches (1534 mm) Wheelbase: Approximately 103.7 inches (2634 mm) Cargo Cargo Volume Seats Up: Approximately 14.6 cubic feet (413 Liters) Cargo Volume Seats Down: Approximately 35.5 cubic feet (1005 Liters) Weights Curb Weight Base: Approximately 3100 - 3200 lbs (1400 - 1450 kg) Towing Capacity: Typically rated around 1000 lbs (450 kg) without trailer brakes, consult manual for specific configurations 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Front Crash Test: Good (4-star equivalent for driver and passenger) IIHS Front Offset Crash Test: Acceptable (for the 2009 model year, this could vary slightly based on testing protocols) Active Features ABS: Standard Anti-lock Braking System Traction Control: Available Traction Control System (TCS) Stability Control: Available Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Passive Features Airbags: Frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, available side-curtain airbags Seat Belts: 3-point front and rear seat belts, pretensioners and load limiters for front seats Child Anchors: LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player. Upgrades may include Boston Acoustics premium audio system on higher trims. Connectivity: Auxiliary audio input jack. Some models might offer SiriusXM Satellite Radio or Bluetooth connectivity. Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Standard on most trims Tire...
Seat belt usage, airbag system explanation, child restraint installation, emergency procedures
Towing Information:
Towing capacity, trailer brake controller information (if equipped), towing preparation
Technical Depth
Depth:
Owner-level, focusing on operation, care, and basic troubleshooting. Not a full factory service manual.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Type:
Portable Document Format (PDF)
Searchability:
Likely text-searchable, enabling quick access to information
Print Quality
Print Ability:
Printable on standard home or office printers
Binding Type
Binding:
N/A (Digital format)
Paper Type
Paper Quality:
N/A (Digital format)
Compatibility
Operating Systems:
Windows, macOS, Linux
Software Requirements:
PDF Reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Code Standard:
GEMA (World Engine)
Displacement Base:
2.0 Liters (1998 cc)
Configuration Base:
Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve
Horsepower Base:
158 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque Base:
141 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Optional Engine 1
Engine Code Optional 1:
GEMA
Displacement Optional 1:
2.4 Liters (2360 cc)
Configuration Optional 1:
Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT
Horsepower Optional 1:
172 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque Optional 1:
165 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Optional Engine 2
Engine Code Optional 2:
Turbocharged (for SRT-4 trim, though less common for this era manual)
Displacement Optional 2:
2.4 Liters (2378 cc)
Configuration Optional 2:
Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, Turbocharged
Horsepower Optional 2:
285 hp @ 5200 rpm (SRT-4)
Torque Optional 2:
265 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm (SRT-4)
Fuel System
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, 87 octane recommended (higher for SRT-4)
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type Standard:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - most common for this model year
Optional
Transmission Type Optional:
5-speed Manual Transmission (Getrag Getrag DDCT or standard manual, depending on engine and trim)
Features
AWD Availability:
Optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system available with the 2.4L engine and CVT
Fluid Specifications
Cvt Fluid Type:
Refer to manual for specific CVT fluid (e.g., Mopar CVTF 4)
Manual Transmission Fluid Type:
Refer to manual for specific manual transmission fluid (e.g., Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant)
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length:
Approximately 171.5 inches (4356 mm)
Width:
Approximately 69.5 inches (1765 mm)
Height:
Approximately 60.4 inches (1534 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approximately 103.7 inches (2634 mm)
Cargo
Cargo Volume Seats Up:
Approximately 14.6 cubic feet (413 Liters)
Cargo Volume Seats Down:
Approximately 35.5 cubic feet (1005 Liters)
Weights
Curb Weight Base:
Approximately 3100 - 3200 lbs (1400 - 1450 kg)
Towing Capacity:
Typically rated around 1000 lbs (450 kg) without trailer brakes, consult manual for specific configurations
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Front Crash Test:
Good (4-star equivalent for driver and passenger)
IIHS Front Offset Crash Test:
Acceptable (for the 2009 model year, this could vary slightly based on testing protocols)
Active Features
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Traction Control:
Available Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Available Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Passive Features
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, available side-curtain airbags
Seat Belts:
3-point front and rear seat belts, pretensioners and load limiters for front seats
Child Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player. Upgrades may include Boston Acoustics premium audio system on higher trims.
Connectivity:
Auxiliary audio input jack. Some models might offer SiriusXM Satellite Radio or Bluetooth connectivity.
Driver Assistance
Cruise Control:
Standard on most trims
Tire Pressure Monitoring:
Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Convenience
Remote Keyless Entry:
Available on most trims
Power Accessories:
Power windows, power door locks, power mirrors standard or optional depending on trim
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Every 6,000 miles (9,600 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions)
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 12,000 - 15,000 miles (19,300 - 24,100 km) or as needed based on driving environment
Spark Plug Replacement:
Typically around 100,000 miles (160,000 km) for iridium-tipped plugs, refer to manual for exact type and interval
Transmission Fluid Change Cvt:
Consult manual; often recommended at 60,000 - 100,000 miles (96,000 - 160,000 km) or under severe conditions
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Type Base:
SAE 5W-20, API Certified
Engine Oil Capacity Base:
Approximately 4.5 Quarts (4.3 Liters) with filter change
Coolant Type:
Mopar OAT (Organic Acid Technology) Antifreeze/Coolant, HOAT or equivalent, 50/50 mix with distilled water
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Known Issues
Cvt Concerns:
Some CVT units experienced premature failure or hesitation. Regular fluid changes are crucial.
Engine Mounts:
Engine mounts can wear out over time, leading to vibration. This is common in many vehicles.
Suspension Noise:
Front suspension components (e.g., struts, sway bar links) can develop noise with age and mileage.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Brand Focus:
Chrysler Group LLC (Dodge division), known for performance and value-oriented vehicles
Model Evolution
Introduction Year:
Introduced for the 2007 model year
Design Inspiration:
Designed as a more affordable and stylish alternative to traditional compact SUVs, blending hatchback and crossover cues.
Major Updates 2009:
The 2009 model year saw minor revisions, often including updated feature packaging and minor cosmetic tweaks depending on trim.
Production
Manufacturing Location:
Belvidere Assembly Plant, Illinois, USA
Production Years:
2007-2012
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
Safety Awards History:
While not a frequent award winner, it achieved generally acceptable safety ratings for its class in its debut years.
Ratings
Consumer Reports Rating Summary:
Consumer Reports generally gave the Caliber average to below-average ratings for reliability and predicted owner satisfaction, particularly concerning the CVT transmission.
Certifications
Emissions Certification:
Meets EPA and CARB emissions standards for its model year.
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