towing JEEP LIBERTY 2006 KJ / 1.G Owners Manual

If the phone is not reachable and the UConnect™ system
is operational, you may reach the emergency number as
follows:
•Press the ’Phone’ button to begin.
•After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Emergency and the UConnect™ system will instruct
the paired cellular phone to call the emergency num-
ber. This feature is only supported in the USA.
NOTE: The emergency number dialed is based on the
Country where the vehicle is purchased (911 for USA and
Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may not
be applicable with the available cellular service and area.
The UConnect™ 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-
nect™ system to allow use of this vehicle feature in emergency situations when the cell phone has network
coverage and stays paired to the UConnect™ system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance,
•Press the ’Phone’ button to begin.
•After the
Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Towing Assistance. 
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 “Towing Assistance” cover-
age details in the Warranty information booklet and on
the 24–Hour Towing Assistance Card.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
3

To Accelerate for Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE: When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
ft. (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. (If the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56
km/h), the Speed Control will automatically disengage).
If this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
A full throttle (high RPM) acceleration, while the system
is engaged, will cause the system to disengage.
Vehicles may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the
above conditions. To reduce the frequency of the down-
shifts and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable
to lock out overdrive. Press the O/D OFF button on the
right side of the shift lever.WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control on when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always turn the system
off when you are not using it.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE — IF EQUIPPED
The overhead console contains dome/reading lights, an
optional universal garage door opener (HomeLink ), an
optional sunroof switch, and an Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC) that consists of the following:
•Compass/temperature display
•Trip information displays
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Customer programmable features
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces 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. (See page 268 for more infor-
mation.)
6. 4LO Mode Indicator Light — If Equipped This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the 4 LO four–wheel drive mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. (See page 234 for more infor-
mation.) 7. Fog Light Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are on.
8. Malfunction Indicator Light This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD II which monitors engine and auto-
matic transmission control systems. This light
will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the ignition key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such has 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 typical driving cycles. In most
situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

or the battery is low. Also, a chime will sound if the light
comes back on. See your authorized dealer immediately.
11. Temperature Gage Indicates engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing within the normal range indicates that the
cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gage pointer will likely indicate a higher temperature
(above center scale) when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when
towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to exceed the
upper limits of the normal operating range.
If the pointer rises to the red zone (five chimes will
occur), pull over and stop the vehicle. Do not turn the
engine off. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioning
turned off, until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the engine remains in the high range, turn the
engine off and call for service. 12. Reset Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and trip
odometer display. When in the trip odometer mode,
holding the button in resets the trip odometer. Also,
pressing the “Reset” button will clear out any warning
messages in the odometer display.
13. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,
replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/gate/glass ajar and low washer
fluid. See appropriate sections for more information.
NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, the warnings “door”, “GATE”, “GLASS”, and
“LOWASH” will be displayed in the EVIC display (not in
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

the instrument cluster). For additional information, refer
to “Overhead Console — If Equipped” in Section 3. (See
page 135 for more information.)
NOTE: The warnings “LOCOOL” and “GASCAP” will
always be displayed in the odometer display.
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.
14. Cruise Indicator Light This indicator lights when the speed control
system is turned ON. 15. Oil Pressure Warning Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on, have the system checked by your autho-
rized dealer.
If the warning light comes on and remains on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO
NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS
CORRECTED. Also, a single chime will sound.
16. Transmission Temperature Warning Light This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur with
severe usage such as trailer towing or snow plowing. If
this light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at
idle or faster, with the transmission in N (Neutral) until
the light goes off.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
4

the vehicle is safely and completely stopped and the gear
selector is placed in the P (Park) position. The light
should turn off. If the light remains on with the engine
running, your vehicle will usually be drivable, however,
see your dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash when the engine is running,
immediate service is required 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 autho-
rized dealer.
NOTE: “Two-footed” driving is not recommended. In-
advertently driving with the brake pedal depressed for
more than a few seconds when the accelerator pedal is
held in place can cause the ETC system to assume that a
stuck accelerator pedal has occurred. This will result in a loss of power. Returning the brake pedal to its normal
position or moving the accelerator pedal will cancel this
condition. If the depressed brake pedal and the constant
accelerator pedal position are maintained for an extended
period of time, the ETC warning light will begin to flash
and continue until the ignition switch is cycled in the
same manner as above.
29. Glow Plug Indicator Light — Diesel Models Only
This light will illuminate when the ignition
switch is first turned to the ON position. Wait
until the light turns off before starting the
vehicle. Refer to “Starting Procedures — Nor-
mal Starting Diesel Engines” in Section 5 of this manual.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

▫Replacement Tires .....................266
▫ Alignment And Balance .................267

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped ...........................268
▫ Base System .........................268
▫ Premium System ......................270
▫ General Information ...................274

Tire Chains ...........................274

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............275

Fuel Requirements (Gasoline Engines) ........276
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................277
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............277
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................278 ▫
Materials Added To Fuel ................278
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................278
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............279

Fuel Requirements (Diesel Engines) ..........280

Fuel Tank Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............281
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............282

Trailer Towing .........................282
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............283
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............285
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........285
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............287
▫ Towing Requirements ..................288
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5

▫Towing Tips .........................292

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 294
▫ Towing – 2WD Models .................294 ▫
Towing — 4WD Models ................294

Snow Plow ...........................297
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result.
R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking the
vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this position.
NOTE: Towing the vehicle, coasting, or otherwise driv-
ing with the transmission in N (Neutral) can cause severe
damage to the transmission.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe prac-
tices that limit your response to changing traffic or
road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle.
Overdrive (O/D)
For most city and highway driving. The transmission
contains an electronically controlled Overdrive, and will
automatically shift from D (Drive) to O/D (Overdrive) if
the following conditions are present:
•The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
•The O/D OFF button has not been activated.
•Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Transmission has reached normal operating temperature.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs while using
Overdrive, such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy load conditions (for example, in hilly terrain,
strong head winds, or trailer towing), turning off over-
drive will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
O/D Off Button
230 STARTING AND OPERATING