2004 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

Gear Ranges
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector
in P (Park) position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
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²When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²When 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.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle.
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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:
²The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
²The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
²Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h).
²Transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
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.Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
switch located on side of the gearshift lever. The O/D
OFF indicator light will illuminate to show that the
switch has been activated. When the indicator light is on,
Overdrive is locked out. Pressing the switch a second
time restores the Overdrive function. The lockout feature
is useful when towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.
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NOTE:If the vehicle is started in cold outside tempera-
tures, shifts into Overdrive may be delayed. Normal
Overdrive and shifting operation will resume when the
temperature of the transmission reaches the appropriate
temperature. Refer to the ªNoteº under ªTorque Con-
verter Clutchº later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the trans-
mission may downshift out of Overdrive or engage
overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the transmission
cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive will resume
normal operation.
2 (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry pave-
ment or in mud and snow. Begins at a stop in low gear
with automatic upshift to 2nd gear. Will not shift to 3rd.1 (First)
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 braking at low
speeds.
CAUTION!
²Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These prac-
tices can cause overheating and damage to the
transmission.
²When ªrockingº a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween ªFirstº and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
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Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission gets too
hot, the transmission will change the way it shifts to help
control the condition. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
D (Drive) position. If the transmission becomes hot
enough the TRANS TEMP warning light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. After the transmission cools
down, it will return to normal operation.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.NOTE:
²The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1±3 miles (1.6±4.8 km) of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into ªOverdriveº when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pressing the ªO/D
OFFº switch will show that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of ªOverdrive.º
²If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from P (Park) into any other gear
position.
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Command-TracTOperating
Information/Precautions
The Command-Tracttransfer case provides 4 mode
positions-2(rear) wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive
high range, neutral, and 4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required the transfer case 4H
and 4L positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
simply moving the shift lever to these positions. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.The PART TIME indicator light, located in the instrument
cluster, illuminates when the transfer case is shifted to the
4H position.
The 4 LO MODE indicator light, located in the instru-
ment cluster, illuminates when the transfer case is shifted
to the 4L position. There is no light for the 2H or N
(Neutral) positions.
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CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The Command-
Trac transfer case is not equipped with a synchro-
nizer and therefore the front and rear driveshaft
speeds must be equal for the shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
²When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2H
or 4H positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25
mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case.
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WARNING!
²Because 4-wheel drive provides improved trac-
tion, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit.
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 and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and 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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2H
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
4-Wheel-Drive High Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
N
Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational Towingº in Sec-
tion 5 for more information.
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