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Dodge Caliber Tire and Wheels
nonnemacher
Member Posts: 98
I thought about the expense of 17" tires too, but I bought the car anyway! With my driving, I figure the original tires should last me at least three years. By then, this size should be more common and the price should come down, especially if some of the import tire makers supply them. Worst case scenario, you can get a 15" steel wheel (on the SE) and a decent tire (205/70/15) for under $100 US combined, but it won't handle as well or look as nice. This could be a viable option for those wanting a separate set of winter tires, as winter tires are never cheap since they are somewhat of a specialty.
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205/75 would be very close to stock size.
205/70R15 would be about 3% smaller. I'd this size would be better and a little more stable on the highway with the super soft winter compound. Of course, you lose 0.4" (oh, 11mm) of ground clearance.
Just curious, what exactly does a spoiler do? Is it helpful or merely a decoration?
Same question with wheels - are 17-inch better than 16-inch? And are 18-inch better than 17-inch?
John
But wheels are much heavier than tires, and stress the suspension. Most importantly, it's a lot harder to "spin" heavy wheels than lighter wheels - by way of example, imagine trying to twirl something around your head on the end of a string. An apple on a string is a lot easier to get started moving than an cantaloupe, due to the difference in weight. Ten extra pounds in the cabin of a car has virtually no affect on acceleration. Ten extra pounds on the wheels, especially where the ten extra pounds is further out from the axle, can adversely affect acceleration and fuel economy.
Ok, that's the downside. What are the advantages of larger wheel size? Basically none, EXCEPT for one thing - reducing the height of the sidewall on your tire. Why does this matter? Because rubber sidewalls are "floppy" and when you turn the car, then to bend over. This causes the tread to lose optimal contact with the road, and delays the effect of your steering input. Thus, trucks with small wheels, large sidewalls, feel sloppy, and BMW's with narrow profile tires (band aids on wheels) handle like go-karts. Of course there are other things going on, like center of gravity (how high the vehicle is) and suspension design.
The stock tires and wheels on the SE aren't so bad. They already have a relativelly low tire "profile" (height of the side wall) and later you can womewhat improve the handling and steering response (not that stock is bad) by getting tires with stiffer sidewalls (that's an alternate solution to tire flop, besides making the sidewalls shorter). The tire size Dodge chose for the SE is widely available so there are a lot of aftermarket choices to choose from.
The larger wheels on the SXT have fewer tire options to choose from, and the tire that comes stock isn't considered a top performer (though it is very lightweight, which helps on fuel economy - at least helps to make up for the larger wheel). However it IS a little wider than the stock tire on the SE and the whole set up looks a little better (that fashion thing) even with the stock steel wheels. And Dodge designed the suspension to work with this setup.
If you are thinking about dressier wheels, the $400 option from Dodge is the most economical. And I have to admit I am nervous about riding on wheels, from many companies, that are now made in China. Few of them are light, and none of them are certified and guaranteed by Chrysler like the stock Dodge alloy wheels.
If you can't find a Caliber with alloy wheels, order your Caliber! The discounts are the same whether you order or buy off the lot - it's not like there are awesome deals if you buy from stock.
As to the spoiler, they don't do ANYTHING for handling - this isn't an F1 car running 150 mph that needs downpressure from a spoiler to keep its rear end planted. But, some spoilers look nice on some cars, especially the ones that aren't too big, and some drivers claim that a small spoiler on a square back vehicle (truck, SUV, hatchback) reduces some of the grime that otherwise seems to accumulate on the back window.
I saw an orange Caliber on the road today, and that color looks better to my eye than the infurno red. The car looks better in my rear view mirrow (front is neat) than from the rear (looks boxy). But it's too early to form a lasting opinion. I'm glad they are popular, and after I run up 20,000 miles on my Cobalt, I might try a Caliber next (we ended up replacing the totalled Caravan with an Impala, not a Caliber).
As to the spoiler they are actually effective (depending on the spoiler of course) once you hit 100 Km/h (I think that's about 60 MPH) and will create downforce which will increase traction to the rear wheels.
About 20 miles south of Ft Wayne on I-69 I was basically pushed into the center median by a trucker from Ontario - I have no idea why. Going through the berm at a good clip with the ABS working kicked up all sorts of road debris and I got a small bolt of some sort in the rear driver side tire which caused it to go flat pretty quick. I got the rim off without breaking the seal at the bead though, because I stopped right away.
Overall, the tire was easy to change and the spare is a good size, but it isn't balanced very well. Maybe that's by design so you don't go too fast with it on there.
It was getting late, but I figured that if I got to the north part of Indy by 8 PM, I could find a large chain tire store that could plug the tire.
I did find a Pep Boys and they had me wait for about 40 minutes before they even looked at my tire and said "we can't guarantee the patch/plug will hold in that location, so we are not going to fix it..." Why couldn't they have told me this when they first looked at the tire??? They then said they could sell me a new tire, but they couldn't do that because I did not want a new tire for one that has only 3k on it and THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE TIRE!!! Can you tell I think they wasted my time?
I am staying in downtown Indy and there is a real old-fashioned looking tire shop about 4 blocks from the hotel... I'm sure they can fix it tomorrow AM... they even sell retreads for trucks... these guys can probably fix anything - almost. I really don't want to drive 210 miles home with the spare, but I will if necessary.
Pretty much every car I've owned has had plugs in the tires and I've never had one leak yet. I think my record is five plugs on one car at one time... that was one they were building my subdivision... lots of nails.
On the upside, driving slower seems to be giving great gas mileage, with the AC on. I'll probably fill up tomorrow before heading home, and I'll post the exact MPG then.
Also, does anybody know the exact specs for the wheels? Is 5 X 114.3 correct for the bolt pattern? When I've been asking at the tire stores all I get is a blank stare as the car is so new. In fact, my sales guy gave me the same blank stare when I asked him.
Time since order was placed T-8 weeks and counting.
Any common 15" tire size would be at least 3% different, so that's not a good option.
But, good luck finding low-priced 16" wheels. Last time I talked to Tirerack, they said that they're not even going to be selling steel wheels this winter because the metal market has gone up so much that steel wheels are no longer a money-maker for them.
I bought an extra set of 17" steel wheels, tires and covers off eBay from a shop that put 20s on a Caliber. It was a good price for virtually new wheels and tires, but shipping was high.
This savings on Tire Balancing may be worth it and would probably allow you to buy the same size winter tires as the tires that come with the car.
Does anybody know if dodge is selling the TPMS Sensors through parts yet? Also, when I switch the tires over does the car need to be taken to service so the computer can be set to recognize the new wheels or is that an automatic thing? I am so dumb about this stuff. :confuse:
Thanks Moparfancanada for triggering me on something I had not thought of! Man, whoever thought living in the north would cause this many problems when it comes to buying winter tires!
I have been searching for winter tires as well. I will "downsizing" as well for my Caliber to 215/65R16.
Did you get an answer about the TPMS? I was wonering the same thing.
What was the best place for rims and tires that you found?
Thanks!
The sensors cannot go on steel wheels which means alloy is a must. My experience finding alloy at a good price for winter wheels and a shop that knows how to deal with installing the TPMS sensors was not great. In the end I settle for a second set of Caliber rims and had my dealer do the install. It probably cost me about $300-400
Tuesday morning - Got in my Caliber R/T AWD with the TPMS system. The warning indicator goes off and the Low Tire flashing in the command centre shows that my front passenger tire is low. I get out of the car, and it appears fine. I get out my faithful tire pressure gauge and all is fine. HUM! It wont go off. Drive to the dealer and he says " must be a bad sensor" Dealer changes the sensor, 35 minutes later I drive off, and all is fine.
Thursday morning - Get in my car and the audible warning comes on, and the command centre indicates 2, yes 2!, tires are low pressure. Both passenger side wheels. Get out of the car, all appears fine, pressure is fine. HUM! Continue onto work and call the dealership - "Bring it in" he says. Go to my car, start the ignition - WHOA! Now I got 3 tires indicating low pressure. The original 2 passenger and now the front driver side.
So I call the 1-800 Chrysler Canada number, and talk to a really nice lady. I explain to the last detail whats happening. "Gee" she says, nothing on her computer to indicate that any other Caliber owner has ever had this problem. So I tell her to open up a new file, because it aint no bad sensor anymore. There has got to be something wrong with the electronics of the TPMS. Have a nice day she says, then off to the dealer I go.
I hand over the keys and get a ride to work in one of them nice Caravans. Only thing missing was the 2.3 kids and some soccer balls. But I have all the faith in the world with DaimlerChryslerCanada to get to the bottom of this.
Got a call later in the afternoon. Every mechanic in the shop is stumped. They are on the phone with the "head" technician down in Windsor. I dont know whether to feel good about this or worry like hell that I have an electronical nightmare on my hands. When one electronic system goes, all the others are bound to follow. There are more computer systems on a car today then the appollo mission that landed on the moon.
My car is now resting comfortably overnight at the dealer as the have yet to find the problem.
Looks like I'm walking to work tomorrow. I need a drink.
Anyone else have a similar TPMS story?
NOTE: This week, the morning temperatures have been just above freezing. But my car is in the garage, so go figure.
I dont know.
Damn that NITRO is hot!
After a week of the annoying :mad: problem I finally put more air in my tires and I am running all tires at 34 psi. No more alerts for low tire pressure.
Hopefully this helps.
Next time ask for the NITRO as a courtesy vehicle. :shades:
Got my car back today, and low and behold, cold weather will condense the pressure in the tire. The TPMS system has a 2% tolerance. At 34psi or, 240kps here in Canada, a 2% tolerance aint much. When the temperature nears freezing, it will reduce the pressure more than 2%, thus causing the warnings.
Since I am switching to steel winter rims, because they use salt on the roads here like it a cure for winter!, I need to remove my chromed rims. The dealer said not to bother spending the $$ with sensors for the winter rims, because at a 2% tolerance, the cold weather will always result in a warning on cold tires. SO!
I've saved about $400 in sensors on my winter rims, BUT!, I will always have the small warning indicator on the dash. There is absolutely no way of turning off the in car computer sensor system. Live and learn eh?
At least I know that my Caliber is not sick! Maybe I should move to California?
The tolerances for the TPMS are way too sensitive for my taste and I find I am ignoring it more than paying attention to it as a result.
If I would have known that before the purchase I might not have gotten the option but otherwise I am loving this car>
I know how to avoid hearing the alarm chimes. Just install a car starter like I did. That way you are never in the car to hear it go off.
I agree with you that it is way to sensitive,,,good for the summer.....bites for the winter.
Just a minor thing to deal with for this awesome car. :shades:
I love this car more and more each day. If you are like me I did not read to far into the manual...a guy thing. Just the other when I picked up the babysitter she sat in the front and I noticed that seat belt sign came on in the center console. I found out later that the front passenger seat has a sensor in it to recognize a light/smaller person may be sitting the front seat. What this does is it turns off the passenger side air bag....thinking maybe a small child may be in the front seat. Very cool option :shades: My wife told me all about it when I got home...she read actually read her manual....she has a Caliber as well
PS. 16C tomorrow for us...could be -28C the next day....the joys of living in Canada
Question on your remote starter. Did you go for aftermarket or OEM? I've been thinking about getting one put in but I always hate to mess with something when it is a new model.
Yes...aftermarket...I called my sales rep and asked him who installs them for the dealership and he gave me the guys info and I went direct thru him. The dealership wanted just over $700 after installed. By going direct it cost me $350 installed....still expensive but worth it. The only thing about it right now is because I have the security system, if I use the remote without unlocking the car first the horn will beep once. It is not that big of deal. The guy was going to check to see if they have come out with updated software that will override the horn going off. I will call him this evening to see what he found out.
Cheers!
What does that mean, I said? The shop is confused, and is calling Dodge tomorrow, and if no issues, they are calling the Firestone company to get me a new set of tires. IF the tire company does not replace the tires, or take responsibility, and Dodge......."dodges the issues" at hand now, then I WILL BE SUEING DODGE FOR A NEW CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was going to be charged $80 for an alignment today since the 7000 warranty on the alignment agreement ran out. I have !6,000 on my car now. I treat it like a baby. It has never been on gravel roads, and I don't tear it up.
So BEWARE, PEOPLE. My DODGE CALIBER SWD R/T is beginning to smell much like a lemon. Even the dealership underwriter told me that he too, would go after Dodge for a car replacement if the shop is already proving that everything is lined up and nothing else to cause this all four tire cupping. I don't want to have to replace tires every 11 months. I haven't even owned it a full year yet.
Andy ideas as to what would cause this? Is it the tires, do you think??? I need all your forum input to guide me since I am going to be up against DODGE and FIRESTONE in the next two days............Thanks for your replies if you have any.
:sick:
I would also recommend getting a second opinion on the alignment just in case.
This car only has 17,000 miles on it so far too. Nice vehicle otherwise though. Another dealership said to bring the car to them after all is done, and they will re-check all once first dealership tries to fix the problem (alignment vs tire) issue.
tires, reluctantly, for now ($285) with dealership not charging us to do another alignment after new tires are put on in a week or so yet. We are pissed that our RIMS are
gouged from the alignment machine??, and the service manager said that he will take care of it but has to have another worker to okay it..........ya, right. They WILL give us new RIMS, and I am going to show them YOUR email to prove that we are not NUTS.
You are so appreciated to have answered this post. Thank you so much. We surely would like to keeep in touch, hey.
at Cryslers expense. The problem with the steering wheel
shimmy 50-70mph is still there. Crylser says it is within
specs. Ha, I have now filed a lemon law suit against
them; I this this is a sfety issue. By the way, don't
let them fix your car or keep it unless the dealer pays for
a rental car. I have had a rental care each time the
car has been serviced for this continual problem. I will never by another Crylser product again. I am hoping for a
cash settlement, so I can trade this car in.
I absolutely hope that all others will make a huge effort do DUMP their Calibers in Chrysler's face too!!! The Pontiac Grand Prix GT is awesome, and worth the effort. I know drive a REAL car.............whew. Good luck to anyone that is suffering as I did, and probably more if they can't get out of their Caliber ownership. I showed all the chats at this forum to the dealership, and they said that a re-call is on it's way soon. But, I did not want the stress of fighting with Chrysler. I owned a VW Super Beetle (brand new) and I had to SUE them to get them to reimburse me $4750 for all the electrical problems it had about 4 years ago. I am sick to death of customers like myself getting lied to about how great a car is and really it is not worth a dime after you sign your name on the loan. Thanks ever so much for communicating with me, and good luck to you, cmmessina, and others reading this.) :shades:
It is a shame that customers have to drive junk. When I see a caliber I am sad because I liked my new sxt, but I also am relieved that the headache is over for me.
Good Luck, seriously........ :lemon: :sick: :confuse: :mad:
could step out ASAP. Good Luck to you misscindy!!!!) I am a female too,
and I know how hard it is to get a MAN to listen. But I tell ya, pestering will
get you everwhere............they hate that even when you are right....they hate
that too lololololololo
We were supposed to hear from a senior vice president of service at Chrysler today. The call hasn't come in yet.
Chrysler put us in touch with Firestone. The Firestone engineers told us that the tire Chrysler specified is softer than normal, does not qualify for a tread warranty and will only last about 12K. They said Chrysler is aware of the limited life and continues to specify the tire.
It's been a nightmare. Good Luck all.
I am so glad to be rid of the run arounds from Chrysler, the dealership, and the tire company. What was I thinking when I purchased my 2007 Caliber R/T in the first
place? When I see one (not frequently) I only see how cheaply it was put together
and the back service from Chrysler. Did I tell you that Chrysler knows that they
have a problem with the Caliber and it's tire alignment (cupping) problem? They
were suppose to come out with a bulletin but from what you are saying Chrysler
is neglecting to admit anything. Good luck to you!!
Obviously since you live in the mountains they aren't
a dime a dozen,but having said that the first thing you
must realize is the because they the Chrysler sign
out front they are in all likelyhood a franchise.
Their reasoning in telling you to take somewhere else
is a t the least suspect i.e. backed up,mechanic sick
and many other reasons.
Don't forget even if you purchase a an extended warranty
if they are your only resource you are still going to have
deal with THEM!
Find another dealer!!
The new tires and rims are quit an improvement. They are are quiet and smooth and I can already see an improvement in gas mileage. It's sad that they (Dodge) would cut corners on something as important as tires, but they obviously did. You would think that Firestone would know better after all they've been through since the 500 Series fiasco. But still, the only other problem I've encountered with the vehicle was the damper on the cold drink compartment wouldn't stay open. Once again my old dealer didn't know what to do so I fixed it with three of those Velcro self adhesive dots placed in front of it in th closed position.
I had the tires rotated several times - in the early going, road noise was decreased after ea. rotation. At 28 K - the tires are definitely cupped and nearly worn out - noise is at the level to make me very unhappy with the car.
I replaced last week with slightly different size of Goodyear TripleTred (sp?) and had a 4-wheel alignment done. The difference in ride noise is astounding - car is now quiter than when I purchased it.
fyi.
You are right on, and I know how you are feeling, as I too had the same problems with cupping/tire company and dealer and Dodge (DODGING) my pleas to FIX the mess I am in with this car. I SOLD this car, and drive a 2004 Grand Prix GT, instead now. I am FREE from such crap from all mentioned about. NEVER give up, and I applaud you for getting right back in their faces to get new tires over and over again. I couldn't deal with it as long because my nerves were not of steel, like yours, BUT I was not going to be used or drive a car that I then hated, and was not proud of. Good luck. I am behind you all the way.
for many years,if you luck out and have a great car dealer they generally
will help out in the first 12,000 miles.I think the trouble really starts with
the independents tire dealers and their lack of concern or their track record
of getting re-inbursed by the tire manufacturer.
If you can always find a tire sales office owned by the manufacturer.
I guess I am lucky this time as I have 30,000 km on the original
Firestones and they still look like new but they are noisey on certain
road surfaces.