towing JEEP COMMANDER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

The UConnectŸ system does slightly lower your chances
of successfully making a phone call as to that for the cell
phone directly.
Your phone must be turned on and paired to the UCon-
nectŸ system to allow use of this vehicle feature in
emergency situations when the cell phone has network
coverage and stays paired to the UConnectŸ system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance,
²Press the ªPhoneº button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Towing Assistance.9
NOTE:The Towing Assistance number dialed is based
on the Country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-
528-2069 for USA, 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-3454
for Mexico City and 1-800-712-3040 for outside Mexico
City in Mexico).Please refer to the 24-Hour ªTowing Assistanceº cover-
age details in the Warranty information booklet and on
the 24±Hour Towing Assistance Card.
Paging
To learn how to page refer to9Working with Automated
Systems.9Paging works properly except for pagers of
certain companies which time-out a little too soon to
work properly with the UConnectŸ system.
Voice Mail Calling
To learn how to access your voice mail, refer to9Working
with Automated Systems.9
Working with Automated Systems
This method is designed to be used in instances where
one generally has to press numbers on the cellular phone
keypad while navigating through an automated tele-
phone system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
3

Voice Commands
Primary Alternate(s)
language
list names
list phones
mobile
mute
mute off
new entry
no
pager
pair a phone
phone pairing pairing
phonebook phone book
previous
record again
redialVoice Commands
Primary Alternate(s)
return to main menu return or main menu
select phone select
send
set up phone settings or phone
set up
towing assistance
transfer call
UConnectŸ Tutorial
try again
voice training
work
yes
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
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

If not equipped, your authorized dealer can order and
install Mopartcross rails built specifically for this roof
rack system or a number of after market rails that are
tailored to your life-style or activities.
The optional cross rails have five specific locations iden-
tified by a feature on both the side rail and the cross rail.
Cross rails must be secured in one of the five detent
locations on the side rail to prevent movement with a
sudden stop. The cross rails must also be installed using
the correct orientation (the longer rail toward the front)
with the wind trip toward the front of the vehicle as
shown below. For improved windnoise performance
when cross rails are not in use, place them in detent
positions #1 (first detent from the front of the vehicle) and
#4 (second detent from the rear of the vehicle) as indi-
cated with a unique feature on the side rails.The grab
handles (A) on the back of the vehicle (if equipped) are
not to be used as a towing feature.NOTE:If the rear cross rail (or any metallic object) is
placed over the satellite radio antenna (if equipped), you
may experience interruption of satellite radio reception.
For improved satellite radio reception, place the rear
cross rail in detent position #4 when not in use.
Cross Rail Positions
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

engine start. If the bulb does not come on when turning
the key from OFF to ON, have the condition checked
promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
6. Airbag Warning Light
This light turns on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not onduring starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, have
the system inspected by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
7. Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System.
The light will turn on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. If you decide to look under the hood your-
self, refer to Section 7 of this manual. Follow the
warnings under ªCooling System Pressure Cap.º
14. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Cen-
terº later in this section.
15. TOW/HAUL Indicator Light
This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected. The TOW/
HAUL button is located in the center of the
instrument panel (below the climate controls).
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
21. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
22. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
23. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light Ð
If Equipped
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a problem
is detected the light will come on while theengine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the gear selector is
placed in the P (Park) position. The light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running your
vehicle will usually be drivable, however, see your dealer
for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing. The light will come on when the ignition
is first turned on and remain on briefly as a bulb check.
If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
24. Front Fog Light Indicator LightÐ If Equipped
This light shows the front fog lights are ON.
194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift intoN (Neutral) and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
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.
270 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NCruising Range.......................340
NReplacement Parts.....................340
mAdding Fuel..........................341
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............341
mVehicle Loading........................344
NCertification Label.....................344
mTrailer Towing.........................346
NCommon Towing Definitions.............346
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............350
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................350NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............352
NTowing Requirements..................353
NTowing Tips.........................357
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 359
NTowing ± 2WD Models.................359
NTowing Ð Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed Transfer
Case) 4WD Models....................359
NTowing Ð Quadra±Trac II /Quadra±Drive II
4WD Models........................359
mSnow Plow...........................363
276 STARTING AND OPERATING