warning JEEP LIBERTY 2008 KK / 2.G Manual Online

NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............358
mAdding Fuel..........................359
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............359
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............361
mVehicle Loading........................361
NCertification Label.....................361
mTrailer Towing.........................364
NCommon Towing Definitions.............364
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............368NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................369
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............371
NTowing Requirements..................372
NTowing Tips.........................377
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 378
NTowing ± 2WD Models.................378
NTowing Ð 4WD Models................378
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the ªNº
(Neutral) or ªPº (Park) position. Apply the brake before
shifting to any driving range.
Manual Transmission Ð If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in ªNº (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal beforestarting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the
clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
4WD Models Only
To enhance off-road performance, 4-wheel drive models
equipped with a manual transmission will start with or
without pressing the clutch pedal when in 4-wheel drive
low range. The 4 LOW indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case is in 4-wheel drive low range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start,turn the ignition
switch to the START position and release it when the
engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds,
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to
15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
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For vehicles equipped with Tip Start,turn the ignition
switch to the START position and release it as soon as the
starter engages. The starter motor will continue to run,
and it will disengage automatically when the engine is
running. If the engine fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (below ±20ÉF or ±29ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
²Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded three-wire extension cord.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into ªPº (Park) only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of ªRº (Reverse) only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from ªRº (Reverse), ªPº (Park), or ªNº
(Neutral) into any forward gear when the engine is
above idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº
(Park) or ªNº (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in ªRº (Reverse). You could lose control of
the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Shift Lock Manual Override Ð If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a shift lock manual
override. The manual override may be used in the event
that the shift lever should fail to move from ªPº (Park)
with the key in the ON position and the brake pedal
depressed. To operate the shift lock manual override,
perform the following steps:
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ªPº (Park)
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
and then place the selector in ªPº (Park) position.
WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº
(Park) or ªNº (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in ªRº (Reverse). You could lose control of
the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
ªRº (Reverse)
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
²If the vehicle is started in extremely cold temperatures,
the transmission may not shift into Overdrive. It will
however, automatically select the most desirable gear
for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
²If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough, the
ªTransmission Temperature Warning Lightº may illu-
minate, and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After a
cool down, the transmission will resume normal op-
eration.The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear.
NOTE:ªTOW/HAULº mode locks out Overdrive.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

6-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE:The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in ªRº (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the
ON position.
Manual Shift Controls
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
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WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
²Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
²Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
²Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
²Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
²When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
²Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
²During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
²Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front wheels
or rear wheels are spinning. The MP1522 Command-Tract
transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and
therefore the speed of the front driveshaft and rear drive-
shaft must be equal for the shift to take place. Shifting
while only the front wheels or rear wheels are spinning can
cause damage to the transfer case.
²The 4WD Lock position and 4WD Low position are in-
tended for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
these positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo-
nents.
²When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD posi-
tion or 4WD LOCK position at a given road speed. Take
care not to over-speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
²Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires
of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any
difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
²You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
²Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the ªSERV 4WDº light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
²Since 4-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road condi-
tions permit. You or others could be injured.
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