2006 JEEP COMMANDER engine

•When the temperature knob is in the cold (Blue)
position, cold air will be delivered from the outlets. As
the temperature knob is turned towards the hot (Red)
position, the air will get warmer.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection. (See page 351 for more
information.)
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
NOTE:Refer to the “Operating Tips” chart (for Manual
A/C Control) in this section for suggested control set-
tings in different weather conditions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
246 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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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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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WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P
(Park) or N (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the gearshift lever in
the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position. To move the gear selector lever out of the
P (Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned to
the ON position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
Gear Ranges
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold. If
there is a need to restart the engine be sure to cycle the
key to the LOCK position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after restarting the
engine if the key is not cycled to the LOCK position first.
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
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