How to Add Coolant to a 2007 Dodge Caliber
If you've never added coolant to your 2007 Dodge Caliber before, it can be tough to know where to start. If your car is overheating, it is imperative that you check its coolant level as soon as you can. You may be low on or out of coolant, or your car's coolant system may have a leak that is causing it to use coolant at a rapid rate. Check your Caliber's coolant level regularly to get an idea of how much of the liquid it uses when it is running normally.
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Instructions
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Purchase the correct kind of coolant for your car. The 2007 Dodge Caliber's owner's manual specifies that you should use a pre-diluted 50/50 coolant for your car. You can find coolant at your local grocery store, automotive store or mass-market retail store.
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Open your car's hood. Pull the lever that is underneath the dash on the driver's side in the cabin to release the hood latch. Slide your fingers underneath the partially open hood and locate the lever that is closed over the safety latch just inside the engine compartment. Use a finger to push this lever up. It may take several tries. If you kneel in front of your car, you can see the lever, which may help you open it. Once you release the lever, pull the hood up.
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Secure the hood in place by propping it open using your hood stand.
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Locate the coolant reservoir. It is on the left-hand side of the engine compartment and is a semi-transparent plastic container. If it has any coolant in it, the liquid will be visible and usually is green or red in color. The coolant reservoir is to the immediate right of the windshield-wiper fluid reservoir, and the liquid in it is usually blue.
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Open the cap on the coolant reservoir. It is yellow and has a coolant symbol on it.
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Pour your coolant into the coolant reservoir until it is between the two lines on the outside of the reservoir. These lines indicate the range that you want your car's coolant level to be within. The top line indicates that the reservoir is full; do not fill it past this line. You may want to use a funnel to help you pour your coolant without spilling it inside your engine compartment.
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Close your coolant reservoir cap tightly. Be sure that it is completely closed.
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Close your hood by releasing the hood stand and snapping it back into place as you hold the hood up with one hand. Slowly lower the hood with both hands and drop it when you have about 6 inches left before it is closed. This should completely close your hood without slamming it. If it doesn't completely close, put light but firm pressure on it with both hands until it does.
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Tips & Warnings
You do not need to top off your coolant with water if you use pre-diluted 50/50 coolant, as your owner's manual specifies.
References
- Photo Credit containers of anti-freeze and coolant for cars. products image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
