ignition JEEP COMMANDER 2008 1.G Manual PDF

Normal Starting
The gear selector must be in the ªNº (Neutral) or ªPº
(Park) position before you can start the engine. Apply the
brakes before shifting into any driving gear.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do notpress the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10
seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (below220ÉF or229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
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If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
²Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
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5

Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of P (Park) and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of P
(Park).
5±Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
Gear Ranges
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold. If
there is a need to restart the engine be sure to cycle the
key to the LOCK position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after restarting the
engine if the key is not cycled to the LOCK position first.
P (Park)
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use P (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
then place the selector in P (Park) position.
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5

²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake rotors, wheels,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent an accident. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
²If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the ªBrake Warning Lightº in the instru-
ment cluster will light. To release the parking brake, pull
up slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
NOTE:The instrument cluster ªBrake Warning Lightº
indicates only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not indicate the degree of brake application.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the gear shift lever is in the P (Park) position. When
parking on a hill, you should apply the parking brake
before placing the gear shift lever in P (Park), otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of P (Park).
WARNING!
²Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also, be certain to leave the transmission
in P (Park). Failure to do so may allow the vehicle
to roll and cause damage or injury.
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake
problems due to excessive heating of the rear
brakes.
Parking Brake
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inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle, and inflate
each tire to the vehicle's recommended cold placard
pressure value. The system will automatically update
and the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº will
extinguish once the updated tire pressures have been
received. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10
minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) to receive this infor-
mation.
The ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº will flash
on and off for 75 seconds, and remain on solid when a
system fault is detected. The system fault will also sound
a chime. If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will
repeat, providing the system fault still exists. The Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will turn off when the
fault condition no longer exists. A system fault can occur
by any of the following scenarios:1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same Radio Frequencies as the TPM
sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals.
3. Lots of snow or ice around the wheels or wheel
housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a matching full
size spare wheel and tire assembly, it has a tire pressure
monitoring sensor, and can be monitored by the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In the event that the
matching full size spare tire is swapped with a low
pressure road tire, the next ignition key cycle will still
show the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº to be
ON, and a chime to sound. Driving the vehicle for up to
STARTING AND OPERATING 327
5

10 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) will turn OFF the
ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº as long as none
of the road tires are below the low pressure warning
threshold.
NOTE:If your vehicle is not equipped with a matching
full size spare wheel and tire assembly, it does not have a
tire pressure monitoring sensor in the spare tire. The
TPMS will not be able to monitor the tire pressure. If you
install the spare tire in place of a road tire that has a
pressure below the low-pressure warning limit, upon the
next ignition key cycle, a chime will sound and the ªTire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº will turn ON. After
driving the vehicle for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25
km/h), the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº will
flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº
will flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on
solid. Once you repair or replace the original road tire,and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the spare tire, the
TPMS will update automatically and the ªTire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Lightº will turn OFF, as long as no
tire pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit in
any of the four active road tires. The vehicle may need to
be driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h)
in order for the TPMS to receive this information.
Premium System Ð If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain
the proper pressure.
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault
no longer exists, the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light will no longer flash, the9CHECK TPM SYSTEM9
text message will not be present, and a pressure value
will be displayed instead of dashes. A system fault can
occur by any of the following scenarios:1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same Radio Frequencies as the TPM
sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals.
3. Lots of snow or ice around the wheels or wheel
housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a matching full
size spare wheel and tire assembly, it has a tire pressure
monitoring sensor, and can be monitored by the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In the event that the
matching full size spare tire is swapped with a low
pressure road tire, the next ignition key cycle will still
show the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº to be
ON, a chime to sound, a Low Pressure message to appear
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5

in the EVIC, and the graphic display will still show the
low tire pressure value flashing. Driving the vehicle for
up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) will turn OFF
the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº as long as
none of road tires are below the low pressure warning
threshold. The EVIC will also display a ªSpare Low
Pressureº text message, and the graphic display will
show a tire pressure value in place of the flashing low tire
pressure value.
NOTE:If your vehicle is not equipped with a matching
full size spare wheel and tire assembly, it does not have a
tire pressure monitoring sensor in the spare tire. The
TPMS will not be able to monitor the tire pressure. If you
install the spare tire in place of a road tire that has a
pressure below the low-pressure warning limit, upon the
next ignition key cycle, the ªTire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Lightº will remain ON, a chime will sound, and
the EVIC will still display a flashing pressure value in the
graphic display. After driving the vehicle for up to 10minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h), the ªTire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Lightº will flash on and off for 75
seconds and then remain on solid. In addition, the EVIC
will display a9CHECK TPM SYSTEM9message for 3
seconds and then display dashes (- -) in place of the
pressure value. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a
chime will sound, the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Lightº will flash on and off for 75 seconds and then
remain on solid, and the EVIC will display a9CHECK
TPM SYSTEM9message for 3 seconds and then display
dashes (- -) in place of the pressure value. Once you
repair or replace the original road tire, and reinstall it on
the vehicle in place of the spare tire, the TPMS will
update automatically.
In addition, the ªTire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lightº
will turn OFF and the graphic in the EVIC will display a
new pressure value instead of dashes (- -), as long as no
tire pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit in
any of the four active road tires. The vehicle may need to
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 and would result in additional cost. Therefore
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle's
performance:
²The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system.
²An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to
overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or
some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your dealer for service assistance.
²The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
336 STARTING AND OPERATING