2006 JEEP COMMANDER engine

•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it
replaced. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Headlight System — If Equipped
Turn the end of the multi-function control lever to the
third detent to activate the automatic headlight system.This system performs two functions. With the engine
running and the multi-function control lever in the A
(Auto) position, the headlights will turn on and off based
on the surrounding light levels.
Headlights On Automatically With Wipers
If your vehicle is equipped with Automatic Headlights it
also has this customer programmable feature. When your
headlights are in the automatic mode, and the engine is
running, they will automatically turn on when the wiper
system is on.
If your vehicle is equipped with a “Rain Sensitive Wiper
System,” and it is activated, the headlights will automati-
cally turn on after the wipers complete five wipe cycles
within approximately 1 minute, and they will turn off
approximately four minutes after the wipers completely
stop. Refer to “Windshield Wipers and Washers” in this
section for more information. (See page 127 for more
information.)
Headlight Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
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headlights to remain on longer (closer to the vehicle).
Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions (sticker, toll box,
etc.) on the windshield or camera lens will cause the
system to function improperly.
Instrument Panel and Interior Lights
When the multi-function control lever is in the parklight,
headlight, or A (Auto) position (if equipped), rotating the
center portion of the lever up and down will increase and
decrease the brightness (dimmer control) of the instru-
ment panel lights. Full daytime brightness on all elec-
tronic displays (odometer, overhead console, radio, and
Automatic Climate Control (if equipped) is obtained by
rotating the center portion of the control to the first
detent above the dimmer range. Rotating the control to
the second detent above the dimmer range turns the
interior lights on. Rotating the control to the “Off”
(extreme bottom) position disables all the interior lights,
even when the doors and liftgate are open. While in the“Off” position the instrument panel lighting is at the
lowest light level and may not be suitable for night
driving.
Daytime Running Lights — Canada Only
The high beam headlights come on at a low intensity
level whenever the engine is running, and the transmis-
sion is not in the P (Park) position. The lights remain on
until the ignition switch is turned OFF or the parking
brake is engaged. The headlight switch must be used for
normal night time driving.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound when the driver’s door
is opened.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
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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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
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WARNING!
BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. BAS cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the
appropriate brake and may reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only
intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneu-
vers.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It cannot
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
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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
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 139
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