INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting a JeepCommander and wel-
come 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 vehiclehandles 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
Quadra-Drive II System — If Equipped
The optional Quadra-Drive IISystem features three
torque transfer couplings. The couplings include ELSD
(Electronic Limited Slip Differential) front and rear axles
and Quadra-Trac IItransfer case. The optional ELSD
axles are fully automatic and require no driver input to
operate. Under normal driving conditions the units func-
tion as standard axles balancing torque evenly between
left and right wheels. With a traction difference between
left and right wheels the coupling will sense a speed
difference. As one wheel begins to spin faster than the
other, torque will automatically transfer from the wheel
that has less traction to the wheel that has traction. While
the transfer case and axle couplings differ in design, their
operation is similar. Follow the Quadra-Trac IItransfer
case shifting information, preceding this section, for
shifting this system.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a
narrower track to make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than
ordinary cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily in
off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover.
STARTING AND OPERATING 269
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