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Dodge Caliber RT AWD new owner report
Over all the RT awd is a very good car, it does everything well, however nothing out standing. If you have young childern the plastic every where is a big plus and easy to clean. We tried out the AWD on high 140 in OR. this past weekend, ice covered by 2" of packed snow. It was sure footed and predictable as long you didn't drive faster then conditions would premit. Milage falls when driving 70 mph, at 55-65mph we were able to get 30mpg. It is not a hot rod in any way, but it does have the power to take on the hills. A 15 gal tank and a adjustable passenger seat would be a improvement. As for craftmanship and materals I haven't found any thing wrong. The engine warms up faster then any other 4 cylinders I have own in the past. It is a car that thinks it is a SUV, I would not take it off road. But it is prefect for winter driving. AS for warm weather, will have to wait for summer to find out.
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Caliber boards about the RT models having noisey
rear wheel bearing and it seems the general consensus
that a bad batch was used in assy and the only way
to cure it is have them replaced under warranty.
1-1/2 years I owned my Caliber and I have a couple myself.
The simple ones are things like the seat belt buckle in the rear seat
when it's not in use taps on the plastic door covering going around
corners going up hills.
Another is(if you have it)the tonneau cover over the cargo area,
the two spots were it latches in get squeaky going over bumps
and can be resolved by using some one sided sticky foam insulation
(the kind you use around windows and doors) to isolate plastic on plastic.
Rattles can be caused by the heat shields being loose (from factory)
there are 3 of them 1 in the engine compartment,1 above the exhaust
system passenger side and 1 above the muffler.
The exhaust system itself swings or is hung from hangers and if misaligned
has generated noises heard in the car.
The spare tire cover again is plastic on plastic cargo floor this again
has generated sqeaks/rattles which can be isolated.
I have not noted any posts on the various Caliber sites regarding
the fan hitting wiring.
Good luck on your resolution and let us know what is found.
Caliber boards about the RT models having noisey
rear wheel bearing and it seems the general consensus
that a bad batch was used in assy and the only way
to cure it is have them replaced under warranty."
Ahhhh I bet this is my culprit.
I traded in my '03 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x4 for a pre-owned 2007 Caliber R/T AWD just this past Saturday, 2/23/08. Fell in love with it during the test drive and was really looking forward to getting better gas mileage - was also happy to be getting AWD out of the deal. My husband rode with me on my test drive and said he could hear a "grinding", but he stated he had heard it in lots of 4 wheel drive vehicles, he wondered if it had something to do with the AWD. I couldn't hear the noise he was referring to and wondered if he was right, and the reason I couldn't hear it was because I was accustomed to driving 4 wheel drive, even though I did so sparingly.
By the time we got it home the noise was much more pronounced and I could definately hear it. It does, in fact, sound like a popping / clunking / "omg something's loose" kind of noise, especially when going over bumps.
I still have the remainder of the warranty on it, and I also got an extended warranty when I bought it - taking it back to the dealership tonight, anxious to see if this is my problem. I'm going to ask them about it - thank you for posting this information!
Aside from that, I LOVE this vehicle!!!
rear wheel bearings on the RT models.
The MPG are GREATLY affected by what kind of gas I use. I get decreasing milage at lower-grades of gas. The best milage [I get] is between 55&75MPH.
I didn't want to brag, but there IS a dormant volcano in my backyard, so I really DO need that extra ummmmph from all four wheels. You'd be surprised how many people THINK 4WD and AWD is the same. Cannot count the 4WDs that I've seen stuck in deep snow around here with the front left and rear right... just a spinnin'!
Later! Thanks for the reply. Saw a $250,000 car the other day on the way to the PX... wow! Still wouldn't trade (insurance, ya know!).
Remember when I said "I got all the options except...."?
That DOES include the trailer-package [excludes hitch].
That extra-large oil-cooler is a MUST in Europe-- and I've
absolutely NO intention of actually TOWING anything.
The Engine heat guage rarely goes above 1/4-up. Glad I
have a 'government job,' I'd HATE to pay the $8-a-gallon
my GERMAN neighbors pay.
It's TRUE, you C-A-N-N-O-T spin the tires, but ALL those
four tire sure DO hold those James Bond winding-roads
even in icy/snowy roads.
Can I say it again?
I love my 2008 AWD Caliber!
:P
Thanks
bolts pop-- replaced for free... live in GERMANY, and drive the car +/- 100MPH
all the time. Great car. I DO keep the backseat down and out of the way-- at
my height [and no kids] it just blocks my view trying to see over the backseat
headrests. Wouldn't trade my car for ANY rice-burner. Period.
"Big Mac"
Germany
1.} -- I paid cash.
2.} -- I do NOT qualify for any of those stimulus-checks since my wife's German.
3.} -- I did NOT get $4,500 for BUYING my AWD 2008 Dodge Caliber, RT.
4.} -- Despite Consumer's Digest; Car & Driver; et al HATING American cars,
I bought a Chrysler.
5.} -- I live in Europe-- there ARE other choices.
................................................................................- .......................................................
THAT said, my 2008 Dodge Caliber, All-Wheel Drive, RT-- with 40,000 miles--
is S-T-I-L-L being driven at 100 to 120 MPH, for 100-miles, daily.
Like I said before, at MY height, it's best to keep the backseat down because of
blind-spots, but, OTHERWISE, excellent car! :shades:
It is VERY noisy, dealer says "ROAD NOISE" nut it sounds more
like a cracked loudspeaker. Could it be the bearings?
How can I find out. Can they be tested? How can I tell the mechanic to test them?
Neighbors say it's just road noise but I'm not convinced.
It is unbearably loud, too loud for me
Is anyone had any of these issues, especially the poor fuel economy and lack of power?