2006 JEEP COMMANDER ESP

TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in
either the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. Refer to “ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)” in this section.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
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NOTE:Anytime the ESP system is in the “Full Off”
mode, ERM is disabled. Refer to ESP (Electronic Stability
Program) for a complete explanation of the available ESP
modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or rollovers, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
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•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightlocated in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. TheESP/TCS Indicator
Lightalso flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS
Indicator Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes in 4WD
High Range and in 2WD vehicles. The system has 2
operating modes in 4WD Low Range.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD high
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD low range or neutral back to 4WD high range, the
ESP system will be in this mode. This mode should be
used for most all driving situations. ESP should only be
turned to “Partial Off” or “Full Off” for specific reasons
as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
ESP Control Switch. When inPartial Offmode, the
TCS portion of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
ESP/TCS Indicator Lightwill be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESP on again, momentarily depress theESP Control
Switch. This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of
operation.
ESP Control Switch
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NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the “ESP Control Switch”. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the “ESP Control Switch” for 5
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. In this mode, all ESP and TCS stability features
are turned off except for the “limited slip” feature de-
scribed in the TCS section. After 5 seconds, a chime will
sound, theESP/TCS Indicator Lightwill illuminate,
and theESP OFFmessage will appear in the ElectronicVehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this
manual. (See page 186 for more information.) To turn ESP
on again, momentarily depress theESP Control Switch.
This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the “P” (Park) position from any position
other than “P” (Park), and then moved out of the “P”
(Park) position. This will occur even if the message was
previously cleared.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The “Full Off” ESP mode is intended for
off-highway or off-road use only.
4WD Low Range
Partial Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD low
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD low range,
or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD
high range or neutral to 4WD low range, the ESP system
will be in this mode. In 4WD low range, ESP and TCS,
except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS
section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of30 mph (48 km/h). At 30 mph (48 km/h), the normal ESP
stability function returns but TCS remains off. When the
vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40 km/h), the ESP
system shuts off. ESP is off at low vehicle speeds in 4WD
low range so that it will not interfere with off-road
driving but ESP function returns to provide the stability
feature at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h). TheESP/
TCS Indicator Lightwill always be illuminated in 4WD
low range when ESP is off.
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the “ESP Control Switch” for 5
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. In this mode, all ESP and TCS stability features
are turned off except for the “limited slip” feature de-
scribed in the TCS section. After 5 seconds, a chime will
sound, and the “ESP OFF” message will appear in the
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Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual. (See page 186 for more informa-
tion.) To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the
“ESP Control Switch”. This will restore the normal “Par-
tial Off” mode of operation in 4wd low range.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the “P” (Park) position from any position
other than “P” (Park), and then moved out of the “P”
(Park) position. This will occur even if the message was
previously cleared.WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The “Full Off” mode is intended for off-
highway or off-road use only.
ESP/BAS Warning Lamp and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
“ESP/BAS Warning Lamp” and the yellow
“ESP/TCS Indicator Light” in the instrument
cluster both come on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position. They should go out with the engine
running.
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If the “ESP/BAS Warning Lamp” comes on
continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in either the ESP or
the BAS system, or both. If this light remains on
after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48
km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to
have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightand theESP/BAS
Warning Lampcome on momentarily each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM— IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist System provides visual and audible
indications of the distance between the rear fascia and the
detected obstacle when backing up. Refer to the Warning
Section and Note Section for limitations of this system
and recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist System will remember the last
system state (enabled or disabled) from the last ignition
cycle when the ignition is changed to the RUN/ON
position.
The Rear Park Assist System can be active only when the
shifter is in R (Reverse). If the Rear Park Assist System is
enabled at this shifter position, the system will be active
until the vehicle speed is increased to approximately 11
mph (18 km/h) or above. The system will be active again
if the vehicle speed is decreased to speeds less than
approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
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