Section 2 JEEP LIBERTY 2004 KJ / 1.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................71
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................145
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................207
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................271
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................283
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................329
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................347
10INDEX....................................................................357
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting a JeeptLiberty and welcome to
our worldwide family.
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 to 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 vehiclehandles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road or
working 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.
Roll Over Warning
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll over rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance, higher center of gravity, and narrower
track than many passenger cars. It is capable of perform-
ing better in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Driven in an unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to
go out of control. Because of the higher center of gravity
4 INTRODUCTION

NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that the manufac-
turer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of the manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
6 INTRODUCTION

DOORS AND DOOR LOCKS
The vacuum fluorescent (VF) display located in the
odometer area displays the word ªdoorº as an indication
of a door ajar or door not completely closed. When the
vehicle is not moving and the door is ajar or not
completely closed, the VF display will show the word
ªdoorº and then show the odometer/trip odometer
mileage (each for 2 seconds). The display will continue to
cycle.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, all warnings including ªdoorº, ªGATEº,
ªGLASSº, and ªLOWASHº will only be displayed in the
EVIC display (not in the instrument cluster). For addi-
tional information, refer to ªOverhead Console Ð If
Equippedº in Section 3.If any other active warnings including ªGATEº,
ªGLASSº, or ªLOWASHº are present, they will be shown
in the VF display and will also continue to cycle. If the
vehicle is moving, three single chimes will occur (One
chime for each complete display cycle (three cycles total).
After this, the display will continue to cycle only (no
chimes).
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Program Additional Transmitters
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, the transmitters may also be programmed
through the EVIC display. For additional information,
refer to ªOverhead Console Ð If Equippedº in Section 3.
Up to 4 transmitters can be programmed to your vehicle.
To obtain additional transmitters, contact your autho-
rized dealer. To program a transmitter (within 23±50 feet
(7±15 meters) of the vehicle), perform the following
procedure:
1. Gather every transmitter that is to be used with the
vehicle including any transmitters that are currently
programmed.
2.Enter Program Mode:Turn the ignition to the ON
position, and using a currently programmed transmitter;
press and hold the9Unlock9button on the transmitter.Continue to hold the ªUnlockº button, wait at least 4 but
no longer than 10 seconds, then press and hold the
PANIC button for at least 1 second. Release both buttons
simultaneously.
3.Program Each Transmitter:All transmitters to be used
with your vehicle must be programmed as follows:
Press and release the9Lock9and9Unlock9buttons simul-
taneously, followed by a press and release of ANY button
on each transmitter to be programmed. You will hear a
chime when a transmitter has been successfully pro-
grammed.
General Information
This transmitter complies with FCC rules part 15 and
with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, all warnings including ªdoorº, ªGATEº,
ªGLASSº, and ªLOWASHº will only be displayed in the
EVIC display (not in the instrument cluster). For addi-
tional information, refer to ªOverhead Console Ð If
Equippedº in Section 3.
If any other active warnings including ªdoorº or ªLO-
WASHº are present, they will be shown in the VF display
and will also continue to cycle. If the vehicle is moving,
two single chimes will occur if the rear glass is open or
three single chimes will occur if the rear swing gate is
open (one chime for each complete display cycle). After
this, the VF display will continue to sequence only (no
chimes).
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
2

Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to minimize
the buffeting.
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 front passenger and, if
equipped, 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 multi stage 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.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buck-
led up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or
other passengers, or you can be thrown out of the
vehicle. Always be sure you and others in your
vehicle are buckled up properly.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS) Ð AirbagsThis 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 multi stage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
Also, the front passenger airbag is certified to the Federal
regulations that define Occupant Classification (Refer to
ªOccupant Classification Systemº in this section).
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Window
bags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions.
NOTE:The passenger front airbag may not deploy even
when the driver front airbag has if the Occupant Classi-
fication System (refer to ªOccupant Classification Sys-
temº in this section) has determined the seat is empty or
is occupied by someone that is classified in the ªchildº
category. This could be a child, a teenager, or even a small
adult.If your vehicle is so equipped, the window bag on the
crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to
severe side collisions. But even in collisions where the
airbags work, you need the seat belts to keep you in the
right position for the airbags to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
Infants in rear-facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See ªChild Restraintº in this section.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

modify the rate of inflation based on the occupant size
provided by the Occupant Classification Module. The
ORC will not detect roll over, or rear impacts.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts
of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, and knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF
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 AIRBAG warning light and
PAD indicator light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is first turned
on. After the self-check, the AIRBAG warning light will
turn off. The PAD indicator light will function normally
(Refer to ªPassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator
Lightº in this section). If the ORC detects a malfunction
in any part of the system, it turns on the AIRBAGwarning light either momentarily or continuously. A
single chime will sound if the light comes on again after
initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light 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.
²TheOccupant Classification System (OCS)will clas-
sify an occupant into a size category based on sensor
readings from within the seat cushion. Occupants
should try to remain in a normally seated position. If
the occupant's weight is transferred to another object
in the vehicle (i.e. feet on the dashboard), the OCS may
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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