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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting a JeepLiberty and welcome to
our worldwide family.
This is a specialized utility vehicle designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform
tasks for which conventional two-wheel drive vehicles
were not intended. However, on-road ride and handling
will have a different feel from what drivers experience
with other vehicles, so take time to become familiar with
your vehicle.
The two-wheel drive utility vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving
or use in other severe conditions suited for a four-wheel
drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read this manual. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls, particu-
larly those used for braking, steering and transmission
and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road or
working the vehicle, don’t overload it or expect it to
overcome the laws of nature. Always observe federal,
state, provincial, and local laws wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident. Be sure to read “On-Road/Off-Road Driving
Tips” in Section 5 of this manual.
Roll Over Warning
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll over rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance, higher center of gravity, and narrower
track than many passenger cars. It is capable of perform-
ing better in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Driven in an unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to
go out of control. Because of the higher center of gravity
and the narrower track, if this vehicle is out of control it
may roll over when some other vehicles may not.
4 INTRODUCTION
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A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The keys for your new vehicle are enclosed in a plastic
bag with the key code number on it. If you received your
keys without the bag, ask your dealer to give you the
number. The key code can also be obtained by the dealer
from your vehicle invoice.
Ignition Key
Insert the key fully, then turn the switch to one of the four
illustrated positions. The key can be inserted or with-
drawn only in the LOCK position. The automatic trans-
mission gear selector must be in the P (Park) position.
To remove the ignition key on models with an automatic
transmission, place the gearshift lever in P (Park), turn
the ignition key to LOCK and remove the key. To remove the ignition key on models with a manual
transmission, depress and hold the key release button,
turn the ignition key to LOCK and remove the key.
Ignition Key Positions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock (manual transmission only). This lock pre-
vents steering the vehicle without the ignition key. If the
steering wheel is moved a half turn in either direction
and the key is not in the ignition, the steering wheel will
lock.
To Manually Lock the Steering Wheel
With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 1/2
revolution from straight ahead position, turn off the
engine and remove the key. Rotate the steering wheel
slightly in both directions until the lock engages.
To Release the Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition and turn the wheel slightly
to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE: If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY
The interior lights come on when you open any door.
They will remain on for about 30 seconds after all doors
are closed then fade to off, unless, the dome inhibit
feature was selected on the multi-function control lever.
Refer to “Lights” in Section 3 of this manual.
The lights also will fade to off if you turn on the ignition
after you close all the doors.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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garage door opener’s Owner’s Manual. Finally, repro-
gram the hand-held transmitter(s) to HomeLink using
the steps under Programming HomeLink .
Gate Operator/Canadian Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter sig-
nals to time-out (or quit) after several seconds of
transmission - which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during programming.
Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to time-outin the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having difficulties
programming a gate operator by using the Program-
ming HomeLink procedures (regardless of where you
live), replace step two with the following:
NOTE: If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device during the
cycling process to prevent possible overheating. Press and hold the HomeLink button while you press
and release - every two seconds (
cycle) your hand-held
transmitter button until the radio signal has success-
fully been accepted by HomeLink. (The message
TRAINED will appear on the HomeLink display.)
Proceed with the remaining steps under Programming
HomeLink to complete.
Using HomeLink
To operate, simply press and release the programmed
HomeLink button. Activation will now occur for the
trained device (i.e. garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting,
etc.). For convenience, the hand-held transmitter of the
device may also be used at any time. In the event that
there are still programming difficulties or questions,
contact HomeLink at: www.homelink.comor1-800-355-
3515 .
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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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
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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.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in N (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal before
starting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system, which requires the clutch to
be fully depressed before starting the vehicle. 4WD Models Only
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless of whether
or not the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. This feature
enhances off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to
start when in 4L without having to depress the clutch
pedal. The 4 LO MODE indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the N (Neutral)
or P (Park) position. Apply the brake before shifting to
any driving range.
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
6-Speed Manual Transmission
Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE: The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in R (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the ON
position.
Manual Shift Controls
224 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
•Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
•Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
•Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
•Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
•When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
•Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
•During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
•Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
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