2008 JEEP COMMANDER stop start

WARNING!
A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will not
protect you properly. The lap portion could ride too high
on your body, possibly causing internal injuries. Always
buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.
A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well. In a
sudden stop you could move too far forward, increasing
the possibility of injury. Wear your seat belt snugly.
A belt that is worn under your arm is very dangerous.
Your body could strike the inside surfaces of the vehicle
in a collision, increasing head and neck injury. A belt
worn under the arm can cause internal injuries. Ribs
aren't as strong as shoulder bones. Wear the belt over
your shoulder so that your strongest bones will take the
force in a collision.
A shoulder belt placed behind will not protect you from
injury during a collision. You are more likely to hit your
head in a collision if you do not wear your shoulder belt.
The lap and shoulder belt are meant to be used together.
4. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap portion, pull up a
bit on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too
tight, tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug
belt reduces the risk of sliding under the belt in a
collision.
WARNING!
A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
injury in a collision. The belt forces won't be at the
strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your abdo-
men. Always wear the lap part of your seat belt as
low as possible and keep it snug.
A twisted belt can't do its job as well. In a collision it
could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is straight. If
you can't straighten a belt in your vehicle, take it to
your authorized dealer and have it fixed.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, and seat belt retractor assem-
bly, replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Enhanced Accident Response Feature
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. The hazard
lights will flash and the fuel will be cut off to the engine.
In addition, after the vehicle has stopped moving, the
interior lights will illuminate to aid visibility and remain
lit until the ignition switch is turned off.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

is too close to the belt path opening on the restraint.
Disconnect the latch plate from the buckle and twist
the short buckle-end belt several times to shorten it.
Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the release
button facing out.
²If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the
manufacturer's instructions tell you.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.NOTE:For additional information refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction, are for chil-
dren who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg), and who are
older than one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child
restraint anchorage system (Refer to LATCH Ð Child
Seat Anchorage System in this section.)
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle's seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle's seat cushion while the
child's back is against the seat back, they should use a
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
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A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Once programmed, all transmitters linked to
memory can be easily enabled or disabled at one time.
Refer to Remote Linked to Memory under9Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð Customer Pro-
grammable Features9in Section 4 for more information.
Easy Entry/Exit Seat
This feature provides automatic driver's seat positioning
which will enhance driver mobility out of and into the
vehicle.
There are two possible Easy Exit and Easy Entry adjust-
ments available:
²The seat cushion will move rearward approximately
2.5 inches (60 mm) if the starting position of the seat is
greater than or equal to 2.67 inches (68 mm) forward of
the rear seat stop when the key is removed from the
ignition switch. The seat will then move forwardapproximately 2.5 inches (60 mm) when the key is
placed into the ignition and turned out of the LOCK
position.
²The seat shall move to the position located 0.3 inches
(8 mm) forward of the rear stop if the starting position
is between 0.9 inches to 2.67 inches (23 mm to 68 mm)
forward of the rear stop when the key is removed from
the ignition switch. The seat will move forward to the
memory/driving position when the key is placed into
the ignition, and turned out of the LOCK position
toward the RUN position.
The Easy Entry/Easy Exit feature will be automatically
disabled if the seat is already positioned closer than 0.9
inches (23 mm) forward of the rear stop. At this position
there is no benefit to the driver by moving the seat for
Easy Exit or Easy Entry.
Each stored memory setting will have an associated Easy
Entry and Easy Exit position.
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the9ESP OFFº
switch. This will restore the normal ªESP Onº mode of
operation.NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the ªPartial Offº
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the ªPartial Offº mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ªESP OFFº switch. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
Full Off (4WD Models Only)
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the ªESP OFFº switch for 5
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. After 5 seconds, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº
will illuminate, and the9ESP OFF9message will appear in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer
to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in
Section 4 of this manual for more information.
ESP OFF Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer to
ªTrailer Towingº in Section 5 of this manual for more
information on towing a trailer with your vehicle. When
TSC is functioning, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the Partial Off or Full Off
modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models with NV245
Two±Speed Transfer Case Only)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²Vehicle must be stopped.
²Vehicle must be on a 8% grade or greater hill.
²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in R (Reverse) gear).
HSA will work in R (Reverse) and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in N (Neutral) or P (Park).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer,
when the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur. This could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
Towing with HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
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