steering JEEP COMMANDER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

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 vehicles
were not intended. However, on-road ride and handling
will have a different feel from what drivers experience
with other vehicles, 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 this manual. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls, particu-
larly those used for braking, steering and transmission
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 it or expect it to
overcome the laws of nature. 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. Be sure to read ªOn-Road/Off-Road Driving
Tipsº 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 new 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

This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and right
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
steering wheel. The passenger side airbag is mounted in
the instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
This vehicle is equipped with window bags to protect the
driver, front, and rear passengers sitting next to a win-
dow. They are located above the side windows. Their
covers are also labeled SRS/AIRBAG.NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
Window Airbag Location
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²Side curtain airbags need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Control Module
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Side Curtain Airbags above Side Windows
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Driver Side Seat Track Position Sensor
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Front Acceleration Sensors
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How The Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Control (ORC) Modulede-
termines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe
enough to require the front and/or side airbags to
inflate. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation from direc-
tion provided by the ORC. The ORC will detect roll
overs, not rear impacts.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the LOCK position, in the ACC position, or
not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not
inflate.Also, the ORC turns on the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº for 2.5 to 8 seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the ªAirbag Warning Lightº will
turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part
of the system, it turns on the ªAirbag Warning Lightº
either momentarily or continuously. A single chime
will sound if the light comes on again after initial start
up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the ªAirbag Warning Lightº in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold
out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50±70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.²TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagsare de-
signed to activate only in certain side or rollover
collisions. When the Occupant Restraint Control Mod-
ule (ORC) detects a collision requiring the window
bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side
of the vehicle both sides of the vehicle if equipped
with rollover sensing. A quantity of nontoxic gas is
generated to inflate the window bag. The inflating
window bag pushes the outside edge of the headliner
out of the way and covers the window. The airbag
inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about one-quarter of
the time it takes to blink your eyes) with enough force
to injure you if you are not belted and seated properly,
or if items are positioned in the area where the
window bag inflates. This especially applies to chil-
dren. The window bag is only about 3 inches (8 cm)
thick when it is inflated.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system could
cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured if the airbag system is not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the steering wheel hub trim cover or the upper right
side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:Perchlorate Material ± special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
²Does not come on during the 2.5 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
²Remains on after the 2.5 to 8 second interval.
²Flickers, or comes on and remains on for any period of
time while driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

NAutomatic Headlight System Ð If Equipped . . 126
NSmartBeams Ð If Equipped..............126
NInstrument Panel And Interior Lights.......127
NDaytime Running Lights Ð If Equipped.....128
NLights-On Reminder...................128
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............128
NTurn Signals.........................129
NHigh Beam Switch....................129
NPassing Light........................129
NHeadlight Time Delay..................129
NInterior Lights.......................130
NCourtesy/Reading Lights................130
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............131NMist...............................132
NSpeed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System . . . 132
NRain Sensing WipersÐIf Equipped.........133
mTilt/Telescoping Steering Column...........134
mAdjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped...........135
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......136
NElectronic Speed Control Operation........136
NTo Activate..........................137
NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............137
NTo Deactivate........................138
NTo Resume Speed.....................138
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............138
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............139
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

The UConnectŸ system is fully integrated with the
vehicle's audio system. The volume of the UConnectŸ
system can be adjusted either from the radio volume
control knob or from the steering wheel radio control
(right switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnectŸ system such as9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnectŸ
system and to navigate through the UConnectŸ menu
structure. Voice commands are required after most
UConnectŸ system prompts. You will be prompted for a
specific command and then guided through the available
options.
²Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
²For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9the following compound command
can be said:9Setup Phone Pairing.9
²For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command, when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9and9New Entry.9Please remember, the
UConnectŸ system works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to some one
sitting eight feet away from you.
Voice Command Tree
Refer to ªVoice Treeº at the end of this section.
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Proper aim and adjustments of the front fog
lights should be made to prevent excessive glare for other
drivers.
Turn Signals
Move the multi-function control lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument cluster will
flash to show proper operation of the front and rear turn
signal lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the
lever partially up or down.
Turn Signal Auto-Mode
Tap the multi-function control lever once and the turn
signal (left or right) will flash 3 times, and automatically
turn off.
High Beam Switch
Push the multi-function control lever away from you to
switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the lever to-
wards you to switch the headlights back to low beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function control lever toward
the steering wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn
on at high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Headlight Time Delay
There is also a feature that delays turning off the vehicle
lights for 30, 60, or 90 seconds after the ignition switch is
turned OFF. To activate the headlight delay, the multi-
function control lever must be rotated to the ªOffº
position after the ignition switch is turned OFF. Only the
headlights will illuminate during this time. Refer to
ªEVIC- Customer Programmable Featuresº in Section 4
to turn this feature ªOn/Offº or set the time interval.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
3

²Transmission in N (Neutral) PositionÐ When the
ignition is ON, and the transmission is in the N
(Neutral) position, the rain sensing system will not
operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed
is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or the shift lever is
moved out of the N (Neutral) position.
TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN
This feature allows you to tilt the steering column
upward or downward. It also allows you to lengthen or
shorten the steering column. The tilt/telescoping control
handle is located below the steering wheel at the end of
the steering column.
To unlock the steering column, push the control handle
downward (toward the floor). To tilt the steering column,
move the steering wheel upward or downward as de-
sired. To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull
the steering wheel outward or push it inward as desired.
To lock the steering column in position, push the control
handle upward until fully engaged.
Tilt Steering Column
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE