2008 JEEP COMMANDER maintenance

NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............397
NPower Steering Fluid Check..............398
NBody Lubrication.....................399
NWindshield Wiper Blades................400
NWindshield Washers Ð Front And Rear.....400
NExhaust System......................401
NCooling System.......................401
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......406
NFuel System Connections................407
NBrake System........................407
NFront/Rear Axle Fluid..................410
NTransfer Case........................410
NAutomatic Transmission................411NMaintenance After Off-Road Driving........414
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................415
mFuse Panel...........................419
NInterior Fuses........................419
NUnderhood Fuses (Power Distribution
Center)............................422
NUnderhood Fuses (Integrated Power
Module)............................425
mVehicle Storage........................426
mReplacement Bulbs......................427
mBulb Replacement......................428
NHead Light..........................428
NFront Turn Signal.....................430
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly
installed, or damaged. A ªCHECK GASCAPº message
will be displayed in the EVIC (Refer to Section 4 of this
manual). Tighten the gas cap until a9clicking9sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
This message may be temporarily overridden by pressing
either the C/T, STEP, or MENU buttons. However, after
one minute of no customer interaction, the EVIC will
display again the ªCHECK GASCAPº message. The
message will remain displayed until the vehicle diagnos-
tic system can retest the fuel system. The test will
perform the next time the vehicle is started, if the vehicle
was keyed off above 40ÉF (4ÉC) outside temperature and
the following vehicle start is above 40ÉF (4ÉC) outside
temperature. It may be possible to have a message that
will not clear due to the test being disabled due to lowoutside temperatures. If the test is performed and the
problem is gone, the message will disappear.
If the problem persists, the message will appear the next
time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged
cap. If the problem is detected twice in a row, the system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
Resolving the problem will turn the MIL light off. See
your authorized dealer for service.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Mopartparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Mopartparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer's
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off or before starting the engine
after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level in the SAFE level range. Adding 1 U.S. Quart
(0.95L) of oil when the level is at the bottom of the SAFE
range will result in the level being at the top of the SAFE
range.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
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CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for recommended
engine oil change intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer only recommends engine oils that are API
Certified and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L Engines)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. The engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle. For information on engine oil filler cap
location, refer to the ªEngine Compartmentº illustration
in this section.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Vehicles equipped with a 5.7L engine must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper
operation of the Multiple Displacement System (MDS).
Refer to ªMulti Displacement Systemº in Section 5 for
more details.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oils
The manufacturerstrongly recommendsagainst the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) toengine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it's
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine oil
and oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your local authorized dealer, ser-
vice station, or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded
in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every oil change.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
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Engine Oil Filter Selection
All of the manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type
disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consider-
ably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure
most efficient service. Mopartengine oil filters are high
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Drive Belts Ð Check Condition and Tension
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals, and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service.
At the mileage indicated in the Maintenance Schedule, all
belts and tensioner should be checked for condition.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks,
glazing, or frayed cords and replaced if there is indicationof damage which could result in belt failure. Low gen-
erator belt tension can cause battery failure.
Also, check belt routing to make sure there is no inter-
ference between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New spark plugs should be
installed at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark
plug. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Partsº in
this section for spark plug information.
Spark Plug Wires
The spark plug wires should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Cracked,
damaged, or faulty wires should be replaced.
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for recommended
Engine Air Cleaner Filter change intervals.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
converter as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393
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