2006 JEEP LIBERTY traction

▫Shift Positions ........................240
▫ Shifting Procedure ....................241

Trac-Lok™ Rear Axle — If Equipped .........243

Parking Brake .........................243

Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .......245

Power Steering ........................247

On-Road Driving Tips ...................248

Off-Road Driving Tips ...................249
▫ When To Use 4L Or 4LO (Low) Range ......249
▫ Driving Through Water .................249
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........250
▫ Hill Climbing ........................250
▫ Traction Downhill .....................251 ▫
After Driving Off-Road .................252

Tire Safety Information ...................253
▫ Tire Markings ........................253
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........256
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........257

Tires — General Information ...............261
▫ Tire Pressure .........................261
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................262
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation ....264
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................264
▫ Tire Spinning ........................264
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................265
▫ Life Of Tire .........................266
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Command-Trac \bOperating
Information/Precautions
The Command-Trac transfer case provides 4 mode
positions - 2 (rear) wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive
high range, neutral, and 4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry hard surfaced roads. When additional traction is required the transfer case 4H
and 4L positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
simply moving the shift lever to these positions. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
The PART TIME indicator light, located in the instrument
cluster, illuminates when the transfer case is shifted to the
4H position.
The 4 LO MODE indicator light, located in the instru-
ment cluster, illuminates when the transfer case is shifted
to the 4L position. There is no light for the 2H or N
(Neutral) positions.
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Because 4-wheel drive provides improved trac-
tion, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit.
•You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the
vehicle to move despite the transmission position.
The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2H
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
4-Wheel-Drive High Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
N
Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Sec-
tion 5 for more information.
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

4L
4-Wheel-Drive Low Range - Low speed 4 wheel drive.
Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
Additional traction and maximum pulling power for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h). (Allows engine starting without depressing
the clutch pedal on vehicles equipped with manual
transmission. Refer to “Starting Procedures — Manual
Transmission (4WD Models Only)” in this section.
Shifting Procedure
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle in motion up to 55 mph (88 km/h). The transfer
case will engage/disengage faster if you momentarily
release the accelerator pedal after completing the shift.
Apply a constant force when shifting the transfer case
lever.
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the
clutch on a manual transmission. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: To shift from 4H to 4L, the shift lever should
pushed away from the driver, and then rearward into 4L.
In 4H, there is a neutral stop to prevent shifting into N
(Neutral) by accident.
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift automatic
transmission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn
engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode.
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5

NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
Selec-Trac \bOperating Information/Precautions —
If Equipped
The Selec-Trac transfer case provides 5 mode positions -
normal 2-wheel drive mode, part-time 4-wheel drive
high range, full-time 4-wheel drive high range, neutral,
and 4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is equipped with an inter-axle differ-
ential which allows driving the vehicle in the 4 FULL
TIME position at all times on any given road surface including dry hard surfaced roads. The 4 FULL TIME
mode allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds which eliminates driveline binding and
component wear that is normally associated with driving
the vehicle in the 4 PART TIME position on dry hard
surfaced roads. This feature provides the safety, security,
and convenience of operating in 4–wheel drive at all
times regardless of road conditions.
When additional traction is required the 4 PART TIME
and 4LO positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together through the transfer case inter-axle
differential and force the front and rear driveshafts to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to these positions. The 4 PART
TIME and 4LO positions are intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4 PART TIME and 4LO
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
can cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
•Because 4-wheel drive provides improved trac-
tion, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit.
•You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts 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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4 PART TIME
Part Time 4–Wheel Drive High Range - Locks the transfer
case inter-axle differential. Forces the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4 FULL TIME
Full Time 4-Wheel Drive High Range - Employs an
inter-axle differential. This allows front and rear wheels
to rotate at different speeds, on all road surfaces.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

N
Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Sec-
tion 5 for more information.
4LO
Part Time 4–Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed
4–wheel drive. Locks the transfer case inter-axle differ-
ential. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling
power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Shifting Procedure
2WD to 4 PART TIME or 4 PART TIME to 2WD
Shifting between 2WD and 4 PART TIME can be made
with the vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in
motion, shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h). With
the vehicle in motion two momentary releases of the accelerator pedal may be required after shifting. This will
induce a torque interrupt and allow full engagement of
the newly selected position. With the vehicle stationary it
may be necessary to shift the automatic transmission
from D (Drive) to R (Reverse) and back to D (Drive) after
shifting. This will allow full engagement of the newly
selected position. Apply a constant force when shifting
the transfer case lever.
4 PART TIME to 4 FULL TIME or 4 FULL TIME to
4 PART TIME
Shifting between 4 PART TIME and 4 FULL TIME can be
made with the vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle
is in motion shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
With the vehicle in motion two momentary releases of the
accelerator pedal may be required after shifting. This will
induce a torque interrupt and allow full engagement of
the newly selected position. With the vehicle stationary it
may be necessary to shift the automatic transmission
from D (Drive) to R (Reverse) and back to D (Drive) after
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5

TRAC-LOK™ REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED
The optional Trac-Lok™ rear axle provides a constant
driving force to both rear wheels and reduces wheel spin
caused by the loss of traction at one driving wheel. If
traction differs between the two rear wheels, the differ-
ential automatically proportions the usable torque by
providing more torque to the wheel that has traction.
Trac-Lok™ is especially helpful during slippery driving
conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery surface, a
slight application of the accelerator will supply maxi-
mum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel on
an excessively slippery surface, slight application of the
parking brake may be necessary to gain maximum trac-
tion.WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differen-
tial, never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground. The vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground and cause you to
lose control of your vehicle.
PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light.
NOTE: The instrument cluster “Brake Warning Light”
indicates only that the parking brake is applied. You must
be sure the parking brake is fully applied before leaving
the vehicle.
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