Hey all,

1. My '07 Caliber R/T is a little over 55K miles. I just replaced the air filter and manual transmission fluid (both were dirty). My gas mileage dropped to 27 (AVG MPG) before I did this (from 30), now it's back up to about 30 AVG MPG. I noticed in the manual it says to change spark plugs, etc. at 60K miles. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to replace/tune up to make sure the MPG is up to par? I commute 60+ miles daily and need the best performance possible. I went to the Dodge dealership. Of course, they say a complete 60K tune-up is over $1,500... yeah right! I love my car, not that much.

2. The backlight for my dashboard panel is going out. When I turn on the lights at night the light(s) behind the dash are flickering like crazy. This is annoying and distracting. Any ideas how to replace the bulb(s)?

3. When a headlight goes out my car doesn't alert me. Is there a reason for this? My 2002 Dodge Ram did... what a shame! If there's a setting, I'd like to know.

Thanks!

 

1) New plugs and clean the throttlebody. I would read the maintenance schedule in the owners manual to see if anything else is recommended. Maybe a PCV valve.

30MPG is pretty good. Our 2.0/CVT2 avg about 26 in mixed driving.

2) Do the lights behind the climate control switches flicker too?

3) Not sure if the Caliber has that option or not. Our 09 SXT hasn't had a bulb go bad yet.

 

1. Will do, thank you!

2. No, just behind the main stuff in front of me (MPH, gas, rpm) everything in that area.

3. Lucky you!!

 

I'm concerned if I can get pulled over for my dash light going out being a distraction. I'm not sure if anyone can really see it but it's quite distracting to me. I feel like there's a rave going on in my car.....

 

Just hit the dimmer switch and turn the dash light completely off, if that makes it less annoying. If it flickers, there is probably a bad solder joint in the cluster, not the bulb. Tho, you could solder in some new bulbs. You might find it if you know what u r looking for once u take the cluster apart.

How does a tune up cost $1500? My dealership charge $99 for spark plug change on 4cyln engine. Fuel system tune up cost like $160.
spark plugs are due every 30K, If you do it ur self, it will cost u as little as $15. with $20 worth of tools.
Caliber doesn't have Bulb out warning inside the car, Only outside.

manual trans fluid? I tought Dodge Manual trans takes Automatic trans fluid. What did you put in it?

 

I'll try the dimmer switch. Didn't even think of that. How can I get the dash apart? Doesn't look that easy.

No clue, that's the paper they gave me. Pretty intense, right? I'll definitely do the spark plugs myself, no problem.

As far as a warning outside of the car, what do you mean?

It must have been auto trans fluid. I have the oil change place take care of it. Sorry for the confusion!

Anything else I should take care of at 60K? I've already noticed slight MPG improvement with the small changes made.

 

warning outside of the car, I mean the head light bulb itself, lol.
taking the Dash apart is sorta like when ppl repair TV, radio, or VCR machine back in the days, you could make it or break it, depends on if you know how to do those type of stuff.
If the Bulb is the only problem, it is possible to re-wire in some LED lighting on ur cluster as a substitue. i believe you've seen ppl done flashy lighting in their ride, it would be easier.

if you are due for tires, you may look for some low rolling resistance tires, and inflate ur tire to like 40PSI, it helps fuel economy.
go to part store and buy some Fuel system cleaner and pour it in ur gas tank, they help a little. And Check Air filter.

 

I would suggest going to my link and downloading the service manual. It's free. It is for the 07 but most everything should be the same as far as the dash goes. They didn't update the instrument until the 2010 models.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...ce-manual.html

 

Thanks guys! I'm trying to see if it might have a Fuse... would it have any special name under the Fuse section?

 

All of the fuses are in the power distribution box under the hood. If you have the owners manual, it will list all of the fuses in there.