2006 JEEP LIBERTY wheel

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures .....................217
▫ Manual Transmission ..................217
▫ Automatic Transmission ................217
▫ Normal Starting — Gasoline Engines .......218
▫ Normal Starting — Diesel Engines .........219
▫ Diesel Fuel-Water Separator ..............221
▫ Re-Priming The Diesel Fuel System ........222

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........223

Transmission Shifting ....................224 ▫
6-Speed Manual Transmission ............224
▫ Automatic Transmission ................227
▫ Rocking The Vehicle ...................233

Four-Wheel Drive Operation ...............234
▫ Command-Trac Operating
Information/Precautions ................234
▫ Shift Positions ........................236
▫ Shifting Procedure ....................237
▫ Selec-Trac Operating Information/Precautions —
If Equipped .........................238
5

•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between a
forward gear and reverse, do not spin wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
Recommended Manual Transmission Shifting
Speeds
The manufacturer recommends that you use the shift
speeds listed in the chart below.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
En-
gine Speeds 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
3.7L Accel. 15 (24) 24 (39) 34
(55) 47
(76) 56
(90)
Cruise 10 (16) 19 (31) 27
(43) 37
(60) 41
(66)
Clutch Interlocking Ignition System
2WD Models Only — Manual transmission vehicles are
equipped with a clutch interlock safety feature. The
clutch pedal must be fully depressed to allow cranking of
the engine.
4WD Models Only — The exception to this clutch inter-
lock is 4WD models equipped with a manual transmis-
sion. For these models, the clutch interlock feature is
overridden when the vehicle is operated in 4L to enhance
off-road capability. Refer to “Starting Procedures —
Manual Transmission (4WD Models Only)” in this sec-
tion.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result.
R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking the
vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this position.
NOTE: Towing the vehicle, coasting, or otherwise driv-
ing with the transmission in N (Neutral) can cause severe
damage to the transmission.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

CAUTION!
•Never press on the accelerator pedal with the
engine running, vehicle in gear, and the brakes
applied. Always apply the brakes when stopped
on a incline. Failure to follow these instructions
can cause overheating and damage to the trans-
mission.
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission gets too
hot, the transmission will change the way it shifts to help
control the condition. This may result in a slightly different feeling or response during normal operation in
D (Drive) position. If the transmission becomes hot
enough the TRANS TEMP warning light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. After the transmission cools
down, it will return to normal operation.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch (TCC) will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm (usually after 1–3 miles (1.6–4.8 km) of driving)
and the vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

(48 km/h). To understand the difference in operation,
drive the vehicle so that TCC engagement conditions
are correct, and then press and release the “O/D OFF”
button once to disengage the TCC. Wait a few seconds,
and then press and release the “O/D OFF” button
again to engage the TCC. You will notice that the
engine runs at a higher RPM when driving at vehicle
speeds above approximately 30 mph (48 km/h) with
the TCC not engaged. This is a normal condition.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from P (Park) into any other gear
position.
Rocking the Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between “First” and R (Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector in N (Neutral) for at least one minute after every
five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
5

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

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The Command-
Trac transfer case is not equipped with a synchro-
nizer and therefore the front and rear driveshaft
speeds must be equal for the shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
•When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2H
or 4H positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25
mph (40 km/h).
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
5

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