trailer JEEP COMMANDER 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the ªTireÐSafety Informationº section of this
manual for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in ªMaintenance Sched-
ule.º Refer to Section 8 of this manual. When towing a
trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in P (Park).
For four-wheel-drive vehicles, make sure the transfer
case is not in N (Neutral). Always, block or9chock9the
trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
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3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
þProper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
ªTires±General Informationº section for proper tire
inflation procedures.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the ªTires±General
Informationº section of this manual for the proper
inspection procedure.
þWhen replacing tires, refer to the ªTires±General Infor-
mationº section of this manual for proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load
carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
þ
Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
þAn electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
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actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
þTrailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
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!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
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The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
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Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ºTow/
Haulº mode (if equipped) or a lower gear range should
be selected.
NOTE:Using the ºTow/Haulº mode (if equipped) or a
lower gear range while operating the vehicle under
heavy operating conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat build up. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the ªMain-
tenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this manual for trans-
mission fluid change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in N (Neutral) and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
358 STARTING AND OPERATING

Underhood Fuses (Integrated Power Module)
Cav-
ityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
8 10 Amp
RedLt Park Lamps
Cav-
ityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
9 10 Amp
RedTrailer-Tow Park
Lamps
10 10 Amp
RedRt Park Lamps
12 20 Amp
YellowFront Control Module
(FCM) Batt #4
13 20 Amp
YellowFront Control Module
(FCM) Batt #2
14 20 Amp
YellowAdjustable Pedal
15 20 Amp
YellowFt Fog Lamps
16 20 Amp
YellowHorn
17 20 Amp
YellowRear Wiper
Integrated Power Module
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Cav-
ityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
18 20 Amp
YellowFront Control Module
(FCM) Batt #1
19 20 Amp
YellowLt Trailer-Tow Stop/
Turn
20 20 Amp
YellowFront Control Module
(FCM) Batt #3
21 20 Amp
YellowRt Trailer-Tow Stop/
Turn
22 30 Amp
PinkFinal Drive Control
Module (FDCM)
MOD
23 50 Amp
RedRadiator Fan
27 15 Amp
BlueIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) #1
28 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) #2Cav-
ityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
29 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) R/S
30 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) R/O
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to protect your battery.
You may:
²Remove fuse #27 in the Intelligent Power Module
labeled Ignition-Off Draw (IOD#1).
²Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,000 10 000 6
Rotate tires. 6,000 10 000 6
If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty
or off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary.12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary. 12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the front & rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing.18,000 30 000 18
Inspect the CV joints. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months.24,000 40 000 24
Inspect exhaust system. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months.24,000 40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, replace if necessary.24,000 40 000 24
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Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.30,000 50 000 30
Check the PCV valve, replace if necessary. Perform
the first inspection at 60,000 miles (100 000 km) or 60
months.30,000 50 000 30
Inspect the transfer case fluid. 30,000 50 000 30
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L Only). **30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L/5.7L Engines).30,000 50 000 30
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road or fre-
quent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
Replace the ignition cables (4.7L Only).102,000 170 000 102
444 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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