climate control JEEP COMMANDER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the front
and rear seat belts for the driver and all passengers, front
airbags for both the driver and right front passenger, and,
window bags for the driver and passengers seated next to
a window. If you will be carrying children too small for
adult-size belts, your seat belts also can be used to hold
infant and child restraint systems.
NOTE:The front airbags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the airbag to have different rates of
inflation that are based on collision severity.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside the
vehicle; otherwise, poisonous gases could be drawn
into the vehicle.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•A front fog light is a lighting device providing illumina-
tion forward of the vehicle under conditions of fog, rain,
snow, or dust. Principally, the front fog light supplements
the lower beam of a standard headlight system.
•Proper aim and adjustments of the front fog lights should
be made to prevent excessive glare for other drivers.
Instrument Panel and Interior Lights
When the multifunction lever is in the parking light,
headlight, or A (Auto) position (if equipped), rotating the
center portion of the lever up and down will increase and
decrease the brightness (dimmer control) of the instru-
ment panel lights. Full daytime brightness on all elec-
tronic displays (odometer, overhead console, radio, and
Automatic Climate Control (if equipped) is obtained by
rotating the center portion of the control to the first
detent above the dimmer range. Rotating the control to
the second detent above the dimmer range turns the
interior lights on. Rotating the control to the “Off”
(extreme bottom) position disables all the interior lights,even when the doors and liftgate are open. While in the
“Off” position the instrument panel lighting is at the
lowest light level and may not be suitable for night
driving.
Dimmer Control
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If the liftgate flipper glass is open, connection to the rear
window wiper is interrupted preventing activation of the
rear wiper blade. When the liftgate flipper glass is closed,
the rear wiper switch or the ignition switch needs to be
turned off and on to restart the rear wiper.
Rear Window Defroster — If Equipped
Press this button (located on the climate control
panel) to turn on the rear window defroster and
the heated side mirrors (if equipped). An LED in the
button will illuminate to indicate the rear window de-
froster is on. The defroster automatically turns off after
about 10 minutes of operation.
CAUTION!
•To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
•Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
External racks do not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure that the total occupant
and luggage load inside the vehicle, plus the load on the
luggage rack, do not exceed the rated vehicle capacity.
This vehicle is not equipped with roof rack cross rails as
built, unless ordered as optional equipment. Cross rails
must be installed prior to carrying loads on the roof rack.
If not equipped, your authorized dealer can order and
install Moparcross rails built specifically for this roof
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
3

Climate Controls...................... 271
▫Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System — If Equipped................. 271
▫Automatic Temperature Control — If
Equipped.......................... 274▫Rear Climate Control — If Equipped....... 281
▫Operating Tips...................... 283
▫Operating Tips Chart.................. 285
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 - Air Outlet 5 - Upper Switch Bank 9 - Lower Switch Bank
2 - Instrument Cluster 6 - Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter 10 - Climate Controls
3 - Radio 7 - Storage Bin 11 - Ignition Switch
4 - Glove Compartment 8 - Power Outlet 12 - Storage BinUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189
4

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see Section 7
of this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cool-
ing System Pressure Cap paragraph.
14. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter” 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).
16. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
/ Brake Assist System (BAS) Warning Light
The malfunction lamp for the Electronic Stabil-
ity Program (ESP) is combined with Brake
Assist System (BAS). The yellow “ESP/BAS
Warning Lamp” comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position. They should go
out with the engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning
Lamp” comes on continuously with the engine running,
a malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or the
BAS system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197
4

CLIMATE CONTROLS
Manual Air Conditioning And Heating System —
If Equipped
The controls for the heating/air conditioning and venti-
lation system in this vehicle consist of a series of rotary
knobs. These comfort controls can be set to obtain desired
interior conditions.
The instrument panel features four dual-vane airflow
registers. Two registers are located on the outer ends of
the instrument panel and two are located in the center of
the instrument panel. These registers can be closed to
partially block airflow, and they can be adjusted to direct
airflow where the occupant desires.
Manual Air Conditioning And Heating Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 271
4

Blower Control
The blower control rotary knob (on the
left) controls the blower and can be set
in one of four speeds and OFF.The
blower fan motor will remain on un-
til the system is turned to the OFF
position or the ignition is turned
OFF.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the “O” (Off)
position.
Temperature Control
The temperature control rotary knob
(in the center) controls the air tem-
perature. The coldest temperature set-
ting is on the extreme left and the
warmest setting on the extreme right
of the rotation. The knob can be posi-
tioned at any point on the dial.
Mode Control
The mode control rotary knob (on the
right) can be placed in several posi-
tions. Dots between each of the mode
selections identify intermediate modes
that allow the occupants to fine tune
airflow distribution.
272 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Recirculation
The recirculation feature can be selected with
the mode control knob. You may choose be-
tween Bi-Level Recirculation and Panel Recir-
culation air outlets while in this mode. Nor-
mally, air enters from outside the vehicle. However, when
in “Recirculation” mode air inside the vehicle is re-used.
Use this mode to rapidly cool the inside of the vehicle.
The “Recirculation” mode can also be used to tempo-
rarily block out outside odors, smoke, and dust.
Air Conditioning
To turn on the Air Conditioning, set the fan control
at any speed and press the snowflake button
located on the control panel. Conditioned air will
be directed through the outlets selected by the mode
control. A light in the snowflake button shows that the air
conditioning is on.Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
Automatic Temperature Control — If Equipped
The Infrared Dual-Zone Climate Control System auto-
matically maintains the interior comfort level desired by
the driver and passenger. This is accomplished by a dual
sun-sensor in the top of the instrument panel, and an
infrared sensor located in the face of the control unit.
There are also various sensors monitored by this system
which take account for vehicle speed, A/C pressure,
outside temperature, and engine cooling temperature.
The infrared sensor independently measures the surface
temperature of the driver and passenger. Based on the
sensor input, the system automatically adjusts the air-
flow temperature, the airflow volume, and amount of
outside air recirculation. This maintains a comfortable
temperature even under changing conditions.
274 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL