2008 JEEP COMMANDER engine

Engine/
TransmissionModel GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note 1)
3.7L/
Automatic4x2 8,670 lbs (3 933 kg) 40 Sq. Ft (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/
Automatic4x4 8,755 lbs (3 971 kg) 40 Sq. Ft (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
4.7L/
Automatic4x2 11,665 lbs (5 291 kg) 60 Sq. Ft (5.57
square meters)6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 650 lbs (295 kg)
4.7L/
Automatic4x4 11,800 lbs (5 352 kg) 60 Sq. Ft (5.57
square meters)6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 650 lbs (295 kg)
5.7L/
Automatic4x2 12,470 lbs (5 656 kg) 60 Sq. Ft (5.57
square meters)7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 720 lbs (327 kg)
5.7L/
Automatic4x4 12,620 lbs (5 724 kg) 60 Sq. Ft (5.57
square meters)7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 720 lbs (327 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tireand Loading Information placard. Refer to the ªTire±
Safety Informationº section in this manual.
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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in P (Park).
For four-wheel-drive vehicles, make sure the transfer
case is not in N (Neutral). Always, block or9chock9the
trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ºTow/
Haulº mode (if equipped) or a lower gear range should
be selected.
NOTE:Using the ºTow/Haulº mode (if equipped) or a
lower gear range while operating the vehicle under
heavy operating conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat build up. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the ªMain-
tenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this manual for trans-
mission fluid change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in N (Neutral) and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
358 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 recre-
ational 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) ªpinº 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 (stayon solid) when Neutral shift is complete. A ª4WD
SYSTEM IN NEUTRALº message will display on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
Neutral Switch
360 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).
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).
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5

Hold down N (Neutral) ªpinº 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 ª4WD SYSTEM IN
NEUTRALº message will no longer be displayed on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
5. Shift transmission into P (Park).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift transmission into D (Drive).
Neutral Switch
362 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.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
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5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flashers.................366
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................367
mJacking And Tire Changing................368
NJack Location........................368
NSpare Tire Stowage....................369
NSpare Tire Removal....................369
NPreparations For Jacking................370NJacking Instructions....................371
mJump Starting.........................374
mEmergency Tow Hooks Ð If Equipped........377
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................378
N2WD Models Only....................378
N4WD Models Only....................378
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