JEEP COMMANDER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle's braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must applycontinuousbrak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not
ªpumpº the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.WARNING!
BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety or
the safety of others.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver 's steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then
applies the brake of the appropriate wheel and may also
reduce engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift
will occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or
evasive driving maneuvers.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It cannot
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.NOTE:Anytime the ESP system is in the ªFull Offº
mode, ERM is disabled. Refer to ESP (Electronic Stability
Program) for a complete explanation of the available ESP
modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or rollovers, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety of others.
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition. En-
gine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9also flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS
Indicator Light9begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESP cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESP-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes in 4WD
High Range, 2 available operating modes on 2WD ve-
hicles, and 1 operating mode in 4WD Low Range.
High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD high
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD low range or neutral back to 4WD high range, the
ESP system will be in this ªOnº mode. This mode should
be used for most driving situations. ESP should only be
turned to ªPartial Offº or ªFull Offº mode for specific
reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
9ESP OFFº switch. When in9Partial Off9mode, the TCS
portion of ESP, except for the ªlimited slipº feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9will be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the9ESP OFFº
switch. This will restore the normal ªESP Onº mode of
operation.NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the ªPartial Offº
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the ªPartial Offº mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ªESP OFFº switch. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
Full Off (4WD Models Only)
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the ªESP OFFº switch for 5
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. After 5 seconds, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº
will illuminate, and the9ESP OFF9message will appear in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer
to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in
Section 4 of this manual for more information.
ESP OFF Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the ªlimited slipº
feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40
mph (64 km/h) the system returns to ªPartial Offº mode,
described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 35
mph (56 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is deacti-
vated at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere
with off-road driving but ESP function returns to provide
the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h).
The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will always be illumi-
nated when ESP is off. To turn ESP on again, momen-
tarily depress the ªESP OFFº switch. This will restore the
normal ªESP Onº mode of operation.
NOTE:The ªESP OFFº message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the ªPº (Park) position from any other
position, and then moved out of the ªPº (Park) position.
This will occur even if the message was previously
cleared.WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The ªFull Offº ESP mode is intended for
off-road use only.
4WD Low Range
Full Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD low
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD low range,
or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD
high range or neutral to 4WD low range, the ESP system
will be in this ªFull Offº mode. In 4WD low range, ESP
and TCS, except for the ªlimited slipº feature described
in the TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h), the
normal ESP stability function returns but TCS remains
off. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56
km/h), the ESP system shuts off. ESP is deactivated at
low vehicle speeds in 4WD low range so that it will not
interfere with off-road driving but ESP function returns
to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph
(64 km/h). The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9will always be
illuminated in 4WD low range when ESP is off.
NOTE:The ªESP OFFº message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the ªPº (Park) position from any other
position, and then moved out of the ªPº (Park) position.
This will occur even if the message was previously
clearedWARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The ªFull Offº mode is intended for off-
road use only.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer to
ªTrailer Towingº in Section 5 of this manual for more
information on towing a trailer with your vehicle. When
TSC is functioning, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the Partial Off or Full Off
modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models with NV245
Two±Speed Transfer Case Only)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²Vehicle must be stopped.
²Vehicle must be on a 8% grade or greater hill.
²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in R (Reverse) gear).
HSA will work in R (Reverse) and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in N (Neutral) or P (Park).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer,
when the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur. This could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
Towing with HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

WARNING!
²If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the hill while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer brake prior to releas-
ing the brake pedal. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.
²HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in P
(Park) and using the parking brake, it will roll
down the hill and could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object. Always remember to use
the parking brake while parking on a hill, and that
the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, it can be done
using the Customer Programmable Features in the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of
this manual.
HDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models with
NV245 Two±Speed Transfer Case Only)
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descending hills
during off-road driving situations and is available in 4
LOW range only. To enable HDC (transfer case must be in
4 LOW range), press the HDC switch. If the HDC switch
is pressed when the vehicle is not in 4 LOW range, the
light in the switch will flash for 5 seconds and HDC will
not be enabled.
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE