The throttle body on your Dodge Caliber may seem fairly inconsequential; but when it becomes dirty, it can cause problems, such as stuttering and shuddering, when you accelerate. To compensate, many drivers press the accelerator harder which produces more wear and tear on your car. You could take your Caliber to a mechanic, but the price can be quite expensive. Instead, you can put about 30 minutes of work and less than $15 into cleaning the throttle body yourself.
Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to prevent an electrical shock.
Remove the air duct tube on the right side of the radiator. You will need to undo the hose clamps with a socket set.
Pull off the air collector just above the throttle body.
Spray throttle body cleaner on the inside and outside of the throttle body. Be careful to avoid any sensors or O-rings on the inside of the throttle body. Make sure to clean the hinges of the throttle plate.
Scrub the throttle body gently with a toothbrush. You will not need to apply much pressure. Scour both the inner and outer portions of the throttle body, avoiding the sensors and O-rings.
Wipe the throttle body thoroughly with a rag.
Repeat Steps 4 through 6 until the throttle body is completely clean, including the outer edges of the throttle body plate.
Reattach the air collector and air duct tube. Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
Start your engine. It may stumble the first time as the excess cleaner clears from the intake system. Rev the engine to about 3,000 RPM to completely clear the system.
