2006 JEEP COMMANDER Owners Manual

NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
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5

If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips — Automatic Transmission
The “D” range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ”Tow/
Haul” mode (if equipped) or the “3” range should be
selected. Shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades.
NOTE:Using the ”Tow/Haul” mode (if equipped) or
the “3” range while operating the vehicle under heavy
operating conditions will improve performance and ex-
tend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and
heat build up. This action will also provide better engine
braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule “B” in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
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City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing – 2WD Models
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the driveshaft
is removed.Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
Towing — Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed Transfer
Case) 4WD Models
Recreational towing is not allowed.This model does not
have a N (Neutral) position in the transfer case.
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Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive II 4WD
Models
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
recreational towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be in the N (Neutral)
position, and the transmission must be in the P (Park)
position for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition key ON, engine off.
3. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
4. Shift transfer case into N (Neutral).
Hold down N (Neutral) “pin” switch (with a pen, etc.) for
4 seconds until the LED lamp by the switch starts to blink
indicating shift in progress. Lamp will stop blinking (stay
on solid) when Neutral shift is complete. A “4WD
SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message will display on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
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“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual. (See page 186 for more informa-
tion.)
5. Start engine.
6. Shift transmission into D (Drive).7. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
8. Shut the engine off.
9. Shift transmission into P (Park).
10. Place the ignition key in the OFF position, and
remove key.
11. Apply parking brake.
12. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
13. Release parking brake.
Neutral Switch
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5

CAUTION!
Transmission damage may occur if the transmission
is shifted into P (Park) with the transfer case in N
(Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer
case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF
prior to shifting the transmission into P (Park) (refer
to steps7–8above).
Shifting Out Of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition key ON, engine off.
3. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
4. Shift transfer case out of N (Neutral).Hold down N (Neutral) “pin” switch (with a pen, etc.) for
4 seconds until the LED lamp by the switch starts to blink
indicating shift in progress. Lamp will stop blinking (go
out) when shift is complete. The “4WD SYSTEM IN
NEUTRAL” message will no longer be displayed on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual. (See page 186 for more informa-
tion.)
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5. Shift transmission into P (Park).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift transmission into D (Drive).NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral),
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Neutral Switch
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CAUTION!
Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
SNOW PLOW
Snow plows, winches, and other aftermarket equipment
shouldnotbe added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in the
front end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpect-
edly or could fail to deploy during a collision.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
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