Choosing a motor oil DODGE CALIBER 2.4 SRT4 AWD (223 kw / 303 hp) (10.2006 - ...)

If it’s a petrol Caliber (1.8/2.0/2.4), the manual usually calls for 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 depending on market and climate, so 5W‑30 is generally safe; 5W‑40 is fine only if you’re in hotter temps, high mileage, or it’s noisy/consuming oil under load.​

On my 2.0 petrol I ran 5W‑30 most of the year, swapped to 5W‑40 for summer road trips and when it hit ~160k km—quieter on the motorway and a touch less consumption; both grades flow the same cold, 40 holds a thicker film hot.​

If yours is the 2.0 CRD diesel (VW unit), it’s typically approved for both 5W‑30 and 5W‑40 with ACEA C3/A3/B4 specs; I’ve used 5W‑40 in a hot climate and 5W‑30 in cooler months without issues—check for VW 504/507 or similar approvals on the bottle.​

Quick rule I use: normal temps and short trips = 5W‑30; towing, long highway runs, or oil consumption/noise on a tired engine = 5W‑40; both are -30°C capable cold, the difference is hot viscosity and film strength.​

For higher mileage petrol Calibers that start sipping oil, stepping from 5W‑30 to 5W‑40 can help stabilize consumption a bit; saw that after 100k+ miles on a friend’s 2.0, especially in summer.​

If you want to be by‑the‑book, peek at the glovebox guide—there’s a chart by climate and engine; last time I checked, later Caliber guides list oil type pages explicitly, worth matching your engine code and ambient temps.​

On my 2.0 CRD I stick to ACEA C3 and swap between 5W‑30 in winter and 5W‑40 when towing the trailer in July; keeps it smooth and DPF‑friendly with the right approvals like 504/507.​

Don’t overthink the “5W” bit—both 5W‑30 and 5W‑40 crank the same in the cold; the choice is really about how hot you run and whether your engine’s a bit worn; 40 grade is thicker at 100°C/150°C HTHS.​

If your manual says 5W‑20 on a petrol variant and you can’t source it, 5W‑30 is a common substitute in EU climates; I wouldn’t jump straight to 5W‑40 unless you have noise/consumption or sustained high temps.​

Diesel note: look for ACEA C3 and OEM approvals first, then pick 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 based on climate/use; approvals matter more for DPF health than the small viscosity difference.​