Safety & Security

Dodge Caliber Makes Passenger Safety and Security a Top Priority

• First Chrysler Group C-segment car to feature standard side-curtain air bags.
• First Chrysler Group C-segment car to offer Electronic Stability Program.

Reinforcing Chrysler Group’s commitment to safety and security, the all-new Dodge Caliber gives customers ample safety technology in the value-conscious C segment. More than 20 advanced safety technologies are available on the all-new Caliber, including standard supplemental side-curtain air bags, optional seat-mounted supplemental side air bags (late availability), standard driver and passenger front air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Dodge Caliber also offers a high level of security, including the Sentry Key engine immobilizer and an available security alarm that provides the ultimate vehicle theft protection.

Safety

Chrysler Group engineers employed a two-fold safety approach when developing Dodge Caliber: conventional safety and security features and accident-avoidance features. One of these avoidance features, ESP, builds on Dodge Caliber’s sound steering, handling and braking foundation. Available for the first time on a Chrysler Group C-segment car, ESP is standard for models fitted with the 2.0-liter turbo diesel, and for petrol-engine models (late availability), ESP is optional for the SXT and standard for the R/T.

The Dodge Caliber’s ESP system enhances driver control and aids the driver in maintaining directional stability. It provides the greatest benefit in critical driving situations, including turns, and is especially valuable when driving on slippery surface conditions such as snow, ice or gravel.

ESP, which includes traction control, helps maintain forward traction by constantly monitoring wheel speed sensor signals. ESP does everything within the limits of available traction to keep the Dodge Caliber on course. If there is a discernible difference between what the driver intends through the steering and the vehicle’s path, ESP applies selective braking and throttle input to put the vehicle back onto the driver’s intended path.

Brake Assist, bundled with ESP, applies maximum braking power in emergency situations, providing the shortest possible stopping distance. A pressure sensor in the ESP hydraulic module determines when the driver is making an emergency stop by measuring the rate at which the driver applies the brake. If the driver slams on the brakes, the application causes the ESP system to apply maximum hydraulic pressure to the brakes. This helps overcome the tendency of the average driver to not apply the brakes hard enough or quick enough to achieve the minimum stopping distance in an emergency situation.

Security

On the security front, deadbolt-style door locks on Dodge Caliber prevent customers from locking their keys in the car. This is Chrysler Group’s first vehicle in which customers can lock the car only by using the key fob. Pressing the inside lock knob or using the power-lock switch with the door open and then closing the door will not lock the Caliber’s doors.

The Dodge Caliber also is the first Chrysler Group vehicle to offer a removable, rechargeable cargo lamp. When mounted in the headliner, the lamp illuminates the interior. When the lamp is snapped out of the bezel, it becomes a flashlight that can be used in emergencies or whenever portable light is needed. The flashlight uses two light-emitting diodes (LED) for illumination and is powered by rechargeable lithium batteries.

Dodge Caliber Safety and Security Features:

• Anti-lock Braking System: Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions.
• Advanced Multi-stage Front Driver and Passenger Air Bags: System classifies the severity of an impact event. The resulting deployment could be low, medium or high output, or in certain instances, none at all. However, even with this advanced system designed to meet or exceed government requirements, all occupants are advised to always sit properly in their seat with the seat belt fastened. Children 12-years-old and under should always be seated in a back seat correctly using an infant or child restraint system or have the seat belt positioned correctly for the child’s age and weight.
• Auto-reverse Sunroof: Advanced sensing system that automatically engages and reverses the power sunroof (to the open position).
• BeltAlert: Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver to buckle up if he or she is not properly belted.
• Brake Assist: Applies maximum braking power, providing the shortest possible stopping distance when the vehicle senses an emergency braking situation (packaged with ESP).
• Brake/Park Interlock: Prevents the automatic transaxle from being shifted out of Park, unless the brake pedal is applied.
• Child Seat Anchor System (ISOFIX): Eases installation of compatible aftermarket child seats.
• Constant Force Retractors (CFR): Distribute the force of the front seat belts according to the load or force exerted on them. Force-limit the belt system and gradually release seat belt webbing in a controlled manner.
• Crumple Zones: Compress during an accident to absorb energy and prevent transfer of that energy to vehicle occupants .
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP): Enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability under all conditions. Provides the greatest benefit in critical driving situations, including turns, and is especially valuable when driving on mixed surface conditions such as snow, ice or gravel.
• Energy-absorbing Steering Column: Utilizes two hydroformed coaxial tubes that can move relative to each other to allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy-absorption during a crash. The power-adjust steering column employs a calibrated bending element that deforms during column-stroke for optimal energy management.
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS): Automatically turns on the interior lighting and unlocks the doors after air bag deployment, in the event of an accident, making it easier for emergency personnel to see and reach the vehicle occupants. EARS also shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine in the event of an accident.
• Height-adjustable Seat Belts: Allow passengers to raise and lower the shoulder belts. Encourage seat belt usage by offering a more comfortable fit.
• Interior Head-impact Protection: Includes interior pillars above the belt line, instrument panel, windshield and rear window headers, roof and side rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops, specifically designed to limit head-impact forces.
• Knee Bolsters: Enable the air bags to work effectively by properly positioning the vehicle occupant.
• Remote Keyless Entry: Locks and unlocks doors, and turns on interior lamps. If the vehicle is equipped with a vehicle-theft security alarm, the remote also arms and disarms that system.
• Removable/Rechargeable Flashlight: Mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and snaps out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight.
• Seat Belt Pretensioners: During a collision, initiate the front seat belt pretensioners to immediately remove slack from the seat belts, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant’s head and torso.
• Sentry Key Engine Immobilizer: Utilizes an engine key that has an embedded transponder with a preprogrammed security key code. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the controller sends a random number to the transponder and the engine can start. If the correct key is not used, the engine will shut off after only a few seconds.
• Side-curtain Air Bags: Extend protection to all outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. Each side-curtain air bag has its own impact sensor in order to autonomously trigger the air bag where the side impact occurs.
• Supplemental Seat-mounted Side Air Bags: Housed in the outboard side of each front seat, offer enhanced protection of the driver and front outboard passenger in certain impacts. Each side air bag has its own impact sensor in order to autonomously trigger the air bag on the side where the impact occurs (late availability).
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPM): Includes pressure-sensor modules that are integrated within the valve stems of all four road wheels. Each module sends continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver and the system informs occupants when the pressure is too low (optional).
• Traction Control: Packaged with ESP.