JEEP LIBERTY 2004 KJ / 1.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasoline containing METHANOL.
Gasoline containing methanol may damage critical
fuel system components.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasoline
blended with MMT provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces spark plug
life and reduces emission system performance in some
vehicles. The manufacturer recommends that gasoline
without MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT content
of gasoline may not be indicated on the gasoline pump,
therefore, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether
or not his/her gasoline contains MMT.It is even more important to look for gasoline without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at levels
higher than allowed in the United States. MMT is pro-
hibited in Federal and California reformulated gasoline.
Sulfur In Gasoline
If you live in the northeast United States, your vehicle
may have been designed to meet California low emission
standards with clean burning, low sulfur, California
gasoline. Gasoline sold outside of California is permitted
to have higher sulfur levels which may affect the perfor-
mance of the vehicle's catalytic converter. This may cause
the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº to illuminate.
Illumination of this light while operating on high sulfur
gasoline does not necessarily mean your emission control
system is malfunctioning. The manufacturer recom-
mends that you try a different brand of unleaded gaso-
line having lower sulfur to determine if the problem is
fuel related prior to returning your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for service.
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CAUTION!
If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing,
immediate service is required. See ªOnboard Diag-
nostic Systemº in Section 7 of this manual.
Materials Added To Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions.
FUEL TANK FILLER CAP (GAS CAP)
WARNING!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling.
The gas cap is located behind the fuel filler door, on the
left side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or damaged,
be sure the replacement cap has been designed for use
with this vehicle.
When tightening the gas cap, tighten until 2 or 3 clicks
are heard to insure that the cap is properly seated.
NOTE:A loose gas cap may cause the ªMalfunction
Indicator Lightº to illuminate.
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CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let
impurities into the fuel system.
WARNING!
²Remove the fuel cap slowly to prevent fuel spray
from the filler neck which may cause injury.
²The volatility of some gasoline may cause a
buildup of pressure in the fuel tank which may
increase while you drive. This pressure can result
in a spray of gasoline and/or vapors when the cap
is removed from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap
slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray.
²Never add fuel when the engine is running.
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the fuel cap is removed or the
tank filled.
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TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find information on limits to the
type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle.
Before towing a trailer, carefully review this information
to tow your load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the
ªMaintenance Schedulesº section. When your vehicle is
used for trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR) by the addition of:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds to
the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The manufacturer's warranty will apply to vehicles used
to tow trailers for noncommercial use, however the
following conditions must be met:
²The ªDº Overdrive range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs select the
ªO/D Offº function or move the shift lever to the next
lower position to eliminate excessive automatic trans-
mission shifting. This action will also reduce the
possibility of transmission overheating and provide
better engine braking. Refer to ªTransmission Shift-
ingº in this section for additional information.
²A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
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CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
mandatory for motoring safety.
²Follow the maintenance intervals in schedule ªBº for
changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation.
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Minimum Vehicle Requirements for Trailer Towing
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing ± 2WD Models
Recreational towing is not recommended. Provided that
the transmission is operable, tow only in N (Neutral) at
speeds not exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) and distances
less than 100 miles (161 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 100 miles (161 km),
the propeller shaft should be disconnected or place tow
dollies under the rear wheels.
Towing Ð 4WD Models
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neu-
tral) for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
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CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
4. Start engine.
5. Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or manual
transmission into any forward gear.
6. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.7. Shut the engine OFF and place the ignition key into
the unlocked OFF position.
8. Shift automatic transmission into P (Park) or ensure
manual transmission is in any forward gear.
9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11. Release parking brake.
CAUTION!
Transmission damage may occur if the automatic
transmission is shifted into P (Park) with the transfer
case in N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is
OFF prior to shifting the transmission into P (Park)
(refer to steps7±8above).
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Shifting Out Of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
2. Shift transfer case lever to desired position.
3. Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or manual
transmission into any forward gear.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral)
on automatic transmission equipped vehicles, turning
the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear clash.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.
CAUTION!
Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
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SNOW PLOW
Snow plows, winches, and other aftermarket equipment
shouldnotbe added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in the
front end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpect-
edly or could fail to deploy during a collision.WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
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