Heh, CalMAN57 here-

This past Thursday, for the first time, I got this warning on my info. ctr.: "Oil change required". I bought a 2008 Caliber R/T AWD on 11-23-07. The dealership put the first oil change should be at 3,750 miles on the inside of the windshield right away. I get Free oil changes for life as a promotion: (that's why they reccomended 3,750 miles). Anyway, I have 2,540 approximate miles on this car so far so I called the dealership's service line and talked to a service tech. person. He told me that the 2008 Calibers had a different oil system installed in their engines as compared to the 2007s. He also told me not to worry about this warning. Evidently the owner's manual says that this message is common and that depending on each driver's driving habits, this message is given on their message center as a gauge to when you should bring your car in for an oil change. Anyone get this warning before their new car reached 3,000 miles? I've checked the dipstick and the level is at the safe marking: (a little less than 1/2 below the half way mark from the top line/bottom line. Does that make sense? I'd like any response that would shed some light on this matter. I don't want to wait to long and possibly burn out the engine. I even asked the service tech. if that could be possible if I waited til the scheduled maintenance. He said no problem.

Thanks, for any information!

 

I have read several posts by 08 Caliber owners regarding this warning
re oil changes and it appears this the new built in maintenance
reminder program at work with the oil change reminder appearing
between 2500-2800 miles depending upon parameters fed to it by the ECM.
I wouldn't worry about engine damage by going to 3700-4000 miles between
changes as long as thoil is in the safe zone on the stick and you use the
recommended products.

 

Thanks, again bigtsr!

I haven't had any warning messages on my '08 Caliber until this one. My first thought was perhaps when the car was built, the factory may have not put enough oil in it before they sent it off of the assembly line. I'm also not used to getting information like this registering on my dashboard. I have a 1996 Buick Regal: (Canadian made) as my other car. I haven't bought a new car since 1986. I have found several other technology features in my Caliber that I wasn't aware of. You know a person will get concerned when their car sends a message that a oil change is required. I really DO appreciate the feedback that other Caliber owners can provide me so I can be aware of how to take care of my new Dodge. I'm glad I called the service dept. where I bought my Caliber, also. The tech. pretty much mirrored your reply post to me. I'll keep an eye on my oil level until my first oil change is due.

Thanks again, bigstr

 

top off the oil to the FULL mark, see what happens. you should keep your oil at the FULL mark.

 

There are several features hidden in the technology features

I noted another one regarding resetting the "oil change warning"
it can be reset by 'Turning the ignition key to ON not START and
then depressing the gas pedal slowly to the floor 3 times in 10 seconds".
I saw this in a post elsewhere on the net,maybe it's true but give it a try.

I know for a fact that you can check fault codes in the system by
switching the 3 times from OFF to ON ending in ON,the codes will
show in the total odometer read out,if there aren't any you will see
"----" then the word DONE.

Put the key to ON and with the total odometer reading showing PRESS and
HOLD the trip reset button to get toal engine run hours.

Press and hold the trip reset button and start the car and it will go thru
self diagnostic of the instrument cluster.

Anytime the car acts strangely regarding drivability,readouts,etc disconnect the NEGATIVE
battery cable for 10 minutes reconnect and check battery terminal for mechanical/electrical
connection.

A lot of the ins/outs of the hidden features can be gleaned from surfing the various
Caliber sites