2008 JEEP COMMANDER towing

Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift intoN (Neutral) and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
270 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NCruising Range.......................340
NReplacement Parts.....................340
mAdding Fuel..........................341
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............341
mVehicle Loading........................344
NCertification Label.....................344
mTrailer Towing.........................346
NCommon Towing Definitions.............346
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............350
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................350NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............352
NTowing Requirements..................353
NTowing Tips.........................357
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 359
NTowing ± 2WD Models.................359
NTowing Ð Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed Transfer
Case) 4WD Models....................359
NTowing Ð Quadra±Trac II /Quadra±Drive II
4WD Models........................359
mSnow Plow...........................363
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Never use P (Park) position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P
(Park) or N (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
R (Reverse)
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
N (Neutral)
Shift into N (Neutral) when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with selector lever in N (Neutral) can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in Section 5 and ªTowing a Disabled Vehicleº in
Section 6 of this manual.
D (Drive)
Shift into D (Drive) only when the vehicle is at a complete
stop and the brakes are firmly applied. The transmission
automatically upshifts through fifth gear. The D (Drive)
position provides optimum driving characteristics under
all normal operating conditions.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Electronic Range Select (ERS)Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to move the shifter left (-) or right (+) when the
shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the selection
of the desired top gear. For example, if the driver shifts
the transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but can shift down to 2
(second) or 1 (first), when needed.
When in the D (Drive) position, the first tap to the left (-),
will show the current gear. For example, if you are in D
(Drive) and are in 3rd gear, when you tap the gear shift
one time to the left (-), the display will show 3. Another
tap to the left (-) will shift the transmission into 2nd gear.
If you are in D (Drive) and are in 5th gear, the first tap to
the left (-) will display 5. Another tap to the left (-) will
shift the transmission into 4th gear.
On vehicles equipped with 4.7L or 5.7L engines, use of
ERS (or Tow/Haul mode) also enables a additional
underdrive gear which is not normally used duringthrough-gear accelerations. This additional gear im-
proves vehicle performance and cooling capability when
towing a trailer on certain grades. In ERS mode (on all
transmissions), 1st through 3rd gear are underdrive gears
and 4th gear is direct drive. ERS 5th gear (Overdrive) is
the same as the normal 4th gear.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12345*D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-5
* Applies to vehicles equipped with 4.7L/5.7L engines
only.
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5

OVER TEMPº message may display and the transmis-
sion may downshift out of Overdrive until the transmis-
sion cools down. After cool down, the transmission will
resume normal operation.
In high ambient temperatures with sustained high engine
speed and load, an upshift followed shortly thereafter by
a downshift may occur. This is a normal part of the
overheat protection strategy when operating in the
ªTow/Haulº mode.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to the
most desirable gear if the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph
(56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode Ð If Equipped
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº switch. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmissionoverheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to direct gear and Overdrive will be enabled under
steady cruise conditions.
The ªTOW/HAULº light will illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster to indicate when the switch has beenTOW/HAUL Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
4HI
Four Wheel Drive High Range Ð All roads surfaces such
as ice, snow, gravel, sand, and dry hard pavement.
N (Neutral)
Neutral Ð Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational Towingº in Sec-
tion 5 of this manual.
4 LOW
Four Wheel Drive Low Range Ð Low speed 4 wheel
drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts together.
Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling power
for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25
mph (40 km/h).
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the ªTire and Loading
Informationº placard and in the ªVehicle Loadingº sec-
tion of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the
ªVehicle Loadingº section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Thecombined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 ± 750 = 650 lbs.)
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capaci-
ties of your vehicle with varying seating configurations
and number and size of occupants. This table is for
illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for
the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example, the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
kg).
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