wheel JEEP COMMANDER 2010 1.G Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedure ..................... 243
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 243
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below 20°F Or
29°C) ............................ 244
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 244
▫ After Starting ....................... 245
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 245
 Automatic Transmission ................. 246
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 246▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 247
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 247
▫ Five–Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 248
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 248
▫ Rocking The Vehicle .................. 255
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation ............. 256
▫ Quadra-Trac I Operating Instructions/
Precautions — If Equipped ............. 256
5

▫Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Four-Wheel Drive
Models With NV245 Two–Speed Transfer
Case Only ......................... 280
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – Four-Wheel
Drive Models With NV245 Two–Speed
Transfer Case Only ................... 283
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light ...................... 285
 Tire Safety Information ................. 286
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 286
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 289
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 290
 Tires — General Information ............. 294
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 294
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 295
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 297 ▫
Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 297
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped ....... 297
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 298
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 299
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 300
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 300
 Tire Chains .......................... 301
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 302
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 303
▫ Base System ........................ 306
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ......... 308
▫ General Information .................. 313
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 314
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▫3.7 Engine ......................... 314
▫ 5.7L Engine ........................ 314
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 315
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 315
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 315
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 316
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 316
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 317
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 317
 Adding Fuel ......................... 318
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 318
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 320
▫ Certification Label ................... 320 
Trailer Towing ........................ 323
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 323
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 327
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 328
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 329
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 330
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 335
 Snow Plow .......................... 336
 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . 336
▫ Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models ....... 336
▫ Towing — Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed
Transfer Case) Four-Wheel Drive Models . . . 337
▫ Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive
II Four-Wheel Drive Models ............. 337
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

downshift). For example, if you are in DRIVE and are in
3rd (direct) gear, when you tap the shift lever one time to
the left (-), the display will show 4 (ERS 4 is direct gear).
Another tap to the left (-) will shift the transmission down
to ERS 3 (the added underdrive gear). When in the DRIVE
position in 5th gear, the first tap to the left (-) will
downshift the transmission and display 5 (ERS 5 is the
same as normal 4th gear). Another tap to the left (-) will
shift the transmission down to ERS 4 (direct gear).
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12345*D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-5
* Applies to vehicles equipped with 5.7L engines only. NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), move the shift lever to the
left “D(-)” and hold it there. The transmission will shift to
the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed
down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (5th gear for 3.7L engine, 4th and
5th gears for 5.7L engines). The transmission will auto-
matically shift to Overdrive, if the following conditions
are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated;
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the transmission may not shift into the top Overdrive
gear (normal 5th gear) until the transmission fluid and
engine coolant are warm.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
Rocking The Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
between DRIVE and REVERSE, while applying slight
pressure to the accelerator.
NOTE:The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Traction Control (if equipped) should be turned OFF before attempting to rock the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control System” in Section 3 of this manual.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine, is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever in
NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every five
rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheating
and reduce the risk of transmission failure during pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle.CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Quadra-Trac IOperating Instructions/
Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac I is a single-speed (HI range only)
transfer case, which provides convenient full-time four–
wheel drive. No driver interaction is required. The Brake
Traction Control (BTC) System, which combines standard
ABS and Traction Control, provides resistance to any
wheel that is slipping to allow additional torque transfer
to wheels with traction.
NOTE: The Quadra-Trac I system is not appropriate
for conditions where 4WD LOW range is recommended.
Refer to “Off-Road Driving Tips” in this section.
Quadra-Trac II Operating Instructions/
Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac II transfer case is fully automatic in the
normal driving 4WD HI mode. The Quadra-Trac II
transfer case provides three mode positions:
•4WD HI
•NEUTRAL
•4WD LOW
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4WD HI mode.
When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOW
position can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts
together and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed. The 4WD LOW position is intended for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOW position on dry, hard-surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 4WD HI
position at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed
the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
4WD HI
This range is used on surfaces such as ice, snow, gravel,
sand, and dry hard pavement.
NEUTRAL
This range disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. It is to be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing”
in Section 5 of this manual.
4WD LOW
This range is for low speed four-wheel drive. It locks the
front and rear driveshafts together and forces the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. It provides
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5. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 to shift out of NEUTRAL.
NOTE:If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a
“CHECK SHIFT PROCEDURES” message will flash from
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
Section 4 of this manual.
Quadra-Drive II System — If Equipped
The optional Quadra-Drive II System features three
torque transfer couplings. The couplings include Elec-
tronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) front and rear
axles and Quadra-Trac II transfer case. The optional
ELSD axles are fully automatic and require no driver
input to operate. Under normal driving conditions, the
units function as standard axles, balancing torque evenly
between left and right wheels. With a traction difference
between left and right wheels, the coupling will sense a
speed difference. As one wheel begins to spin faster than
the other, torque will automatically transfer from the
wheel that has less traction, to the wheel that has traction.
While the transfer case and axle couplings differ in
design, their operation is similar. Follow the Quadra-Trac
II transfer case shifting information, preceding this
section, for shifting this system.
Neutral Switch
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a
narrower track to make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than
ordinary cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional two-wheel drive vehicles any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfacto-
rily in off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp
turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this
type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or vehicle rollover.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
NOTE:Prior to off-road driving, remove the front air
dam to prevent damage. The front air dam is attached to
the lower front fascia with quarter turn fasteners and can
be removed by hand.
When to Use 4WD LOW Range — If Equipped
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD LOW for additional
traction. This range should be limited to extreme situa-
tions such as deep snow, mud, or sand where additional
low speed pulling power is needed. Vehicle speeds in
excess of 25 mph (40 km/h) should be avoided when in
4WD LOW range.
Driving Through Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
water, there are a number of precautions that must be
considered before entering the water.
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Driving in Snow, Mud and Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD LOW if necessary.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in this section.
Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
forward motion. Over-revving the engine can spin the
wheels and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill, shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD LOW. Use
first gear and 4WD LOW for very steep hills. If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while
climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop
and immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine,
and shift into REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill,
allowing the compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control
vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or
skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion, or
cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade,
never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in REVERSE gear. Never
back down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill always
drive straight up or down.
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