2007 JEEP COMMANDER brake

3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–GeneralInformation section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
5

Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual. (See page 184 for more informa-
tion.)
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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).Neutral Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
5

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 184 for more informa-
tion.)5. Shift transmission into P (Park).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift transmission into D (Drive).
Neutral Switch
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5

Spare Tire Removal
Fit the jack handle extension over the drive nut. Use the
Lug Wrench to rotate the nut counter clockwise until the
spare is on the ground with enough slack in the cable to
allow to pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or
other power tools is not recommended and can
damage the winch.
When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the
cable and pull it through the center of the wheel.
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas,set the parking brakeand place the gear
selector in P (Park). Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site of the jacking position.
344 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Remove all metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets which might make an unintended electrical
contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles, place the transmission in P (Park), and turn
the ignition OFF.
3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
1. Remove all metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets which might make an unintended electrical
contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles, place the transmission in P (Park), and turn
the ignition OFF.
3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 349
6