2006 JEEP COMMANDER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................253
▫Normal Starting......................253
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F (–29°C) . . 254
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................254
▫After Starting........................255

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........255

Transmission Shifting....................256
▫5–Speed Automatic Transmission..........256
▫Gear Ranges.........................257▫Rocking The Vehicle...................263

Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............264
▫Quadra-Trac IOperating Instructions/Precautions
— If Equipped.......................264
▫Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....264
▫Shift Positions........................265
▫Shifting Procedures....................266
▫Quadra-Drive IISystem — If Equipped.....269

Parking Brake.........................269
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Anti-Lock Brake System..................271

Power Steering........................274

On-Road Driving Tips...................275

Off-Road Driving Tips...................276
▫When To Use 4WD Low Range —
If Equipped.........................276
▫Driving Through Water.................276
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........277
▫HillClimbing ........................278
▫Traction Downhill.....................279
▫After Driving Off-Road.................279

Multi Displacement System (MDS) - 5.7L Engine
Only ................................280

Tire Safety Information...................281▫Tire Markings........................281
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........284
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........285

Tires — General Information...............289
▫Tire Pressure.........................289
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................290
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation....292
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................293
▫Tire Spinning........................293
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................294
▫LifeOfTire .........................294
▫Replacement Tires.....................295
▫Alignment And Balance.................296
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........297
▫Base System.........................297
▫Premium System......................299
▫General Information...................303

Tire Chains...........................303

Tire Rotation Recommendations............304

Fuel Requirements......................305
▫3.7/4.7L Engines (If Equipped)............305
▫5.7L Engines (If Equipped)...............305
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................306
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............306
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................307
▫Materials Added To Fuel................307▫Fuel System Cautions..................307
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............308

Fuel Tank Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............309
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............311

TrailerTowing .........................312
▫Common Towing Definitions.............312
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............314
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........315
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............316
▫Towing Requirements..................317
▫TowingTips .........................321

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 323
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
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▫Towing – 2WD Models.................323
▫Towing — Quadra-Trac I
(Single-Speed Transfer Case) 4WD Models....323▫Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive II
4WD Models........................324

Snow Plow...........................328
252 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.
The gear selector must be in the N (Neutral) or P (Park)
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
Ignition Key Positions
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
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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.
Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F (–29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.NOTE:To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank
the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15–
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold
Weather” procedures should be repeated.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with
grounded, three wire extension cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.The engine block heater cord is located:
•3.7L/4.7L Engine — coiled and strapped to the engine
oil dipstick tube.
•5.7L Engine — bundled and fastened to the injector
harness.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5–Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
Automatic Shift Controls
256 STARTING AND OPERATING