JEEP COMMANDER 2006 1.G Owners Manual

NOTE:Regardless of the type of operation, when a
temperature knob is set to the full clockwise or full
counterclockwise position, the system will deliver full
hot or full cold air out of the ducts, respectively.
The operator can override the AUTO mode setting and
select the direction of the air by rotating the right mode
knob to one of the following positions. When the Mode is
set to any position other than AUTO, The automatic
control of air temperature is disabled. The user must
adjust the temperature knobs to obtain the desired tem-
perature.
•Defrost
Air is directed to the windshield through the
outlets at the base of the windshield. Air is also
directed to the front door windows through the side
window demister grilles. Some airflow is delivered to
the floor while in defrost so that comfort can be
maintained.NOTE:The defrost mode is not automatically selected.
It must be manually selected, when desired.
•Defrost/Floor
Air flows through the front and rear floor outlets
and the outlets at the base of the windshield. Air
is also directed to the front door windows
through the side window demister grilles. Some air-
flow is delivered to the floor while in defrost so that
comfort can be maintained.
•Floor
Air flows through the floor outlets located under
the instrument panel and into the rear seating
area through vents under the front seats. Some airflow
is delivered to defrost while in floor mode, so that
comfort can be maintained.
•Bi-Level
Air flows both through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and those located on the floor.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 241
4

Air flows through the registers in the back of the
center console, and under the front seats to the rear
seat passengers. These registers can be closed to block
airflow. The center console outlets deliver conditioned
air while the floor outlets deliver heated air.
•Panel
Air flows through the outlets located in the in-
strument panel. Air flows through the registers in
the back of the center console to the rear seat passen-
gers. These registers can be closed to block airflow.
Depress this button to turn on and off the air
conditioning during manual operation only. Con-
ditioned outside air is then directed through the
outlets selected on the mode control dial. The button
includes an LED that illuminates when manual operation
is selected.
NOTE:To manually control the air conditioning the
mode selector must be moved out of the AUTO position.Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the heated side mirrors (if
equipped). An LED in the button will illuminate indicat-
ing that the rear window defroster is ON. The defroster
automatically turns off after approximately 10 minutes of
operation for the first push of the button, and will turn
off after approximately 5 minutes for the second push of
the button.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
242 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

This button can be used to block out smoke,
odors, dust, high humidity, or if rapid cooling
is desired. The recirculation mode should only
be used temporarily. The button includes an
LED that illuminates, which indicates that the recircula-
tion mode is active. You may use this feature separately.
NOTE:Extended use of recirculation may cause the
windows to fog. If the interior of the windows begins to
fog, press the “Recirculate” icon button to return to
outside air. Some temp./humidity conditions will cause
captured interior air to condense on windows and ham-
per visibility. For this reason, the system will not allow
“Recirculate” to be selected while in the defrost or
defrost/floor modes. Attempting to use the recirculation
while in these modes will cause the LED in the button to
blink and then turn off.Rear Climate Control — If Equipped
The Manual Rear Climate Control system has one floor
air outlet (passenger side), and two panel outlets in the
rear quarter trim (on each side). The unit provides warm
or cool air through the floor and upper outlets.
The rear temperature, blower speed, and mode control
can be adjusted as desired by the third row seat occu-
pants.
NOTE:The rear climate control system cannot be con-
trolled from the front seat; it can only be turned on and
off. All control of the rear system must be performed by
the rear occupants.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 243
4

Rear Mode Control
If rear heating/cooling is desired, press the “Rear On/Off
Switch” (located in the upper switch bank above the
controls) and select “Floor” “Bi-Level” or “Panel” from
the Rear Control Panel (right knob located on the right
rear quarter trim panel).
•Floor
Air flows through the floor outlet located on the
right side of the rear floor into the rear seating
area.
Rear On/Off Switch
Rear Control Panel
244 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Bi-Level
Air flows through both the outlets located in the
rear quarter trim panels, and the one located on
the floor. The rear quarter trim panel outlets can be
closed to block airflow.
•Panel
Air flows through the outlets located in the rear
quarter trim panels. These registers can be closed
to block airflow.
Rear Blower Control
The left knob on the Rear Control Panel has four posi-
tions, “Off”, and a range of three blower speeds. This
allows the third row seat occupants to control the volume
of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Manual Rear Zone Climate
Control system through an intake grille located in
the passenger side trim panel behind the third seat.
The heater outlets are located in the passenger side
trim panel just behind the sliding door. Do not block
or place objects directly in front of the inlet grille or
heater outlets. The electrical system could overload
causing damage to the blower motor.
Rear Temperature Control
The center knob on the Rear Control Panel allows the
third row seat occupants to have control of the rear
temperature as follows:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245
4

•When the temperature knob is in the cold (Blue)
position, cold air will be delivered from the outlets. As
the temperature knob is turned towards the hot (Red)
position, the air will get warmer.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection. (See page 351 for more
information.)
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
NOTE:Refer to the “Operating Tips” chart (for Manual
A/C Control) in this section for suggested control set-
tings in different weather conditions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
246 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost, and
turning on the high blower. The Defrost/Floor mode can
be used to maintain a clear windshield and provide
sufficient heating. If side window fogging becomes a
problem increase blower speed. Vehicle windows tend to
fog on the inside in mild but rainy or humid weather.
NOTE:Recirculate without A/C should not be used for
long periods as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................253
▫Normal Starting......................253
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F (–29°C) . . 254
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................254
▫After Starting........................255

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........255

Transmission Shifting....................256
▫5–Speed Automatic Transmission..........256
▫Gear Ranges.........................257▫Rocking The Vehicle...................263

Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............264
▫Quadra-Trac IOperating Instructions/Precautions
— If Equipped.......................264
▫Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....264
▫Shift Positions........................265
▫Shifting Procedures....................266
▫Quadra-Drive IISystem — If Equipped.....269

Parking Brake.........................269
5

Anti-Lock Brake System..................271

Power Steering........................274

On-Road Driving Tips...................275

Off-Road Driving Tips...................276
▫When To Use 4WD Low Range —
If Equipped.........................276
▫Driving Through Water.................276
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........277
▫HillClimbing ........................278
▫Traction Downhill.....................279
▫After Driving Off-Road.................279

Multi Displacement System (MDS) - 5.7L Engine
Only ................................280

Tire Safety Information...................281▫Tire Markings........................281
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........284
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........285

Tires — General Information...............289
▫Tire Pressure.........................289
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................290
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation....292
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................293
▫Tire Spinning........................293
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................294
▫LifeOfTire .........................294
▫Replacement Tires.....................295
▫Alignment And Balance.................296
250 STARTING AND OPERATING