spare tire JEEP COMMANDER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged i.e., (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on, and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check, when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it
replaced. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the DEFROST mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper pressure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75
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12. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly, when cold and in-
flated to the inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation alsoreduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195
4

•DRIVER 1 MEMORY
•DRIVER 2 MEMORY
•ADJ. PEDALS DISABLED — CRUISE CONTROL SET
•ADJ. PEDALS DISABLED — SHIFTER IN REVERSE
•LOW TIRE PRESSURE
•CHECK TPM SYSTEM
•LEFT FRONT LOW PRESSURE (Premium TPM Sys-
tem Only)
•RIGHT FRONT LOW PRESSURE (Premium TPM Sys-
tem Only)
•LEFT REAR LOW PRESSURE (Premium TPM System
Only)
•RIGHT REAR LOW PRESSURE (Premium TPM Sys-
tem Only)
•SPARE LOW PRESSURE (Premium TPM System
Only)
•UNLOCK TO OPERATE (Power Liftgate Models
Only)
•PUT IN PARK TO OPERATE (Power Liftgate Models
Only)
•FUNCTION DISABLED (Power Liftgate Models Only)
•CLOSE LIFTGLASS (Power Liftgate Models Only)
•OBSTACLE DETECTED (Power Liftgate Models Only)
•MANUAL CLOSE TO OPERATE (Power Liftgate
Models Only)
•SERVICE KEYLESS SYS
•KEY FOB NOT DETECTED
•VEHICLE NOT IN PARK
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models With
NV245 Two–Speed Transfer Case Only)..... 332
▫HDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models
With NV245 Two–Speed
Transfer Case Only)................... 334
▫ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light...................... 336
Tire Safety Information.................. 337
▫Tire Markings....................... 337
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 341
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 342
Tires — General Information.............. 346
▫Tire Pressure........................ 346
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 347▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 348
▫Radial-Ply Tires...................... 349
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped........ 349
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped......... 350
▫Tire Spinning....................... 351
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 352
▫Life Of Tire......................... 352
▫Replacement Tires.................... 353
Tire Chains.......................... 354
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 355
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 356
▫Base System........................ 359
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 361
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•LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
....blank....= Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT= Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T= Temporary spare tire
31= Overall diameter in inches (in)
215= Section width in millimeters (mm)
65= Aspect ratio in percent (%)
— Ratio of section height to section width of tire
10.5= Section width in inches (in)
R= Construction code
—Rmeans radial construction
—Dmeans diagonal or bias construction
15= Rim diameter in inches (in)
STARTING AND OPERATING 339
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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on the driver’s side B-Pillar.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can carry
3) tire size designed for your vehicle
4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle at or above
maximum load is dangerous. The added strain on
your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above
75 mph (120 km/h).
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
STARTING AND OPERATING 349
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WARNING!
Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use only.
With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary use spare tires have limited
tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency
use on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited-
use spare tire warning label located on the limited-use
spare tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited-use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
The limited-use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited-use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 50 mph (80 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold tire
inflation pressure listed on either your tire placard or
limited-use spare tire and wheel assembly. Replace
(or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity
and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than
35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and do not let
anyone near a spinning wheel no matter what the
speed.
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