2005 JEEP LIBERTY engine overheat

Summer Operation
Air conditioned equipped vehicle’s cooling systems must
be protected with a high quality engine coolant during
summer to provide proper corrosion protection and to
raise the boiling point of the coolant for protection
against overheating. A 50% concentration is recom-
mended.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 215
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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:
•Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
•Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
•Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
•Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
•When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
•Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
•During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
•Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 “Note” under “Torque Con-
verter Clutch” 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!
•Never press on the accelerator pedal with the
engine running, vehicle in gear, and the brakes
applied. Always apply the brakes when stopped
on a incline. Failure to follow these instructions
can cause overheating and damage to the trans-
mission.
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Rocking the Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between “First” and R (Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector in N (Neutral) for at least one minute after every
five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Command-TracOperating
Information/Precautions
The Command-Tractransfer 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.
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

Materials Added To Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s
performance:
•The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system.
•An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to
overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or
some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your dealer for service assistance.
•The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
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Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the
“Maintenance Schedules” section. When your vehicle is
used for trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR) by the addition of:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds to
the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The manufacturer’s warranty will apply to vehicles used
to tow trailers for noncommercial use, however the
following conditions must be met:
•The “D” Overdrive range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs select the
“O/D Off” function or move the shift lever to the next
lower position to eliminate excessive automatic trans-
mission shifting. This action will also reduce the
possibility of transmission overheating and provide
better engine braking. Refer to “Transmission Shift-
ing” in this section for additional information.
•A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flashers.................292

If Your Engine Overheats.................293

Jacking And Tire Changing................294
▫Jack Location........................295
▫Spare Tire Stowage....................295
▫Preparations For Jacking................296▫Jacking Instructions....................296

Jump Starting Procedure..................299

Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped........301

Towing A Disabled Vehicle................302
▫2WD Models Only....................302
▫4WD Models Only....................302
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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
the Fan Control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.If the pointer rises to the “H” (hot mark) on a vehicle
equipped with agasoline engine, 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.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”,
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293
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