JEEP LIBERTY 2009 KK / 2.G Owners Manual

▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 342
 Tires — General Information ............. 346
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 346
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 347
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 349
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 349
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped ....... 350
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 351
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 351
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 352
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 352
 Tire Chains .......................... 353
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 355
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 356
▫ Base System ........................ 358
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ......... 361
▫ General Information .................. 365
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 365
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 366
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 366
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 367
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 367
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 368
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 368
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 369
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Adding Fuel ......................... 370
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 370
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 371
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 371
▫ Certification Label ................... 371
 Trailer Towing ........................ 374
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 374
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 379
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 380 ▫
Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 382
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 383
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 388
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 389
▫ Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models ....... 389
▫ Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models ...... 389
290 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.
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release 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.
Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it
as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
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 –20°F or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
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5

If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
•Never 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do 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.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds 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 — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, 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.
•The engine block heater cord is found under the hood
clipped to the heater line on the left side of the engine.
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5

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 0 °F (-18 °C) are
expected to last for several days.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop. (Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
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
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.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the shift lever out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. Always press thebrake pedal first,before
moving the shift lever out of PARK.
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
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 PARK with
the key in the ON position and the brake pedal pressed.
To operate the shift lock manual override, perform the
following steps:
1. Turn the key to the ON position but do not start the
engine.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully remove the
shift lock manual override cover which is located on the
PRNDL bezel.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
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5

5. Using the screwdriver, reach into the manual override
opening. Press and hold the shift lock lever down.
6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer if the shift lock manual override has been used.
4–Speed Automatic Transmission
NOTE:
Under extreme cold temperatures (-6°F (-21°C)
and when in DRIVE, transmission operation may be
briefly limited to only second gear operation. Normal
operation will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be
done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
when moving the shift lever between these gears.
Shift Lock Manual Override
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges
Do not race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, then place the shift
lever in the PARK position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.(Continued)
Shift Lever
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5

WARNING! (Continued)
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or 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 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.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle rearward. Use this
range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
This range is used when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle. NOTE:
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with shift lever in NEUTRAL can result in
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational Tow-
ing” in Section 5 and “Towing a Disabled Vehicle” in
Section 6 of this manual.
DRIVE
This range is used for most city and highway driving.
2 (Second)
This range is used for moderate grades and to assist
braking on dry pavement or in mud and snow. Begins at
a stop in low gear with automatic upshift to 2nd gear.
Will not shift to 3rd gear.
1 (First)
This range is used for hard pulling at low speeds in mud,
sand, snow, or on steep grades. Begins and stays in low
gear with no upshift. Provides engine compression brak-
ing at low speeds.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING