JEEP WRANGLER 2008 JK / 3.G Owners Manual

Wrangler
OWNER’ S MANUAL
2008
2008Wrangler
813260855 First EditionPrinted in U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................79
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 201
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 267
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................363
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 375
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 427
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................435
10INDEX....................................................................445
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INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
Introduction ........................... 4
 Rollover Warning ........................ 5
 How To Use This Manual .................. 6 
Warnings And Cautions ................... 8
 Vehicle Identification Number ............... 8
 Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ............ 8
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INTRODUCTION
This is a specialized utility vehicle designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform
tasks for which conventional two-wheel drive enclosed
vehicles were not intended. It handles and maneuvers
differently from many passenger cars both on-road and
off-road, so take time to become familiar with your
vehicle.
The two-wheel drive utility vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving
or use in other severe conditions suited for a four-wheel
drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner’s
Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering, transmis-
sion, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road orworking the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect
the vehicle to overcome the natural laws of physics.
Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws
wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident. Refer to “On-Road/Off-Road Driving Tips” in
Section 5 of this manual.
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer-oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
4 INTRODUCTION

NOTE:After you read the manual, it should be stored in
the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with the
vehicle when sold so that the new owner will be aware of
all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine MOPAR parts, and is inter-
ested in your satisfaction.
ROLLOVER WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance, higher center of gravity, and narrower
track than many passenger cars. It is capable of perform-
ing better in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Driven in an unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to
go out of control. Because of the higher center of gravity
and the narrower track, if this vehicle is out of control it
may roll over when some other vehicles may not. Operating this vehicle at excessive speeds or while
intoxicated may result in loss of control, collision with
other vehicles or objects, going off the road, or overturn-
ing, any of which may lead to serious injury or death.
Also,
failure to use standard seat belts subjects the
driver and passengers to a greater risk of being thrown
out of an open-body vehicle than out of a closed vehicle
in an accident which can result in injury or death.
Although your vehicle may be equipped with a soft top
or optional hard top to give the occupants protection
from the weather, these tops do not offer structural
protection in the event of an accident and do not change
the open-body characteristic of the vehicle. Even though
your vehicle has a sport bar and side bars for some extra
protection, it is a truly open vehicle-there is no structural
integrated top and it has low sides and a folding wind-
shield. Many of these vehicles do not have fully enclosed
hard doors.
INTRODUCTION 5
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Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, rollover of the vehicle and serious injury
or death. Because of its open-body construction, your
vehicle offers less protection than closed vehicles in the
event of an accident.Failure to use driver and passenger seat belts
provided
is a major cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the U.S.
government notes that the universal use of existing seat
belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more
each year, and could reduce disabling injuries by two
million annually. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seal belt. Always buckle up.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed Index at the back of this manual contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual.
Rollover Warning Label
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INTRODUCTION 7
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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual containsWARNINGSagainst op-
erating procedures that could result in an accident or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONSagainst proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on a
stamped plate located on the left front corner of the
instrument panel pad, visible from outside of the vehicle
through the windshield. This number also appears on the
Automobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a
window on your vehicle. Save this label for a convenient
record of your vehicle identification number and optional
equipment.
NOTE: It is illegal to remove the VIN plate.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could
seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety and
may lead to an accident resulting in serious injury or
death.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ..................12
▫ Ignition Key Removal ...................12
▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ................14
 Steering Wheel Lock .....................14
▫ To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel .......14
▫ To Release The Steering Wheel Lock .........14
 Sentry Key ...........................14
▫ Replacement Keys ......................16
▫ Customer Key Programming ..............16▫
General Information ....................17
 Security Alarm System — If Equipped .........18
▫ To Set The Alarm ......................18
▫ To Disarm The System ...................18
 Illuminated Entry ........................19
 Remote Keyless Entry — If Equipped .........19
▫ To Unlock The Doors And Swing Gate .......20
▫ To Lock The Doors And Swing Gate .........20
▫ Using The Panic Alarm ..................21
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