2008 JEEP COMMANDER transmission

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).
STARTING AND OPERATING 361
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
the Fan Control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads ªHº,
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
6

WARNING!
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow
battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing. Don't
lean over battery when attaching clamps or allow the
clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes or
on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with
large quantities of water.
A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from
the vent holes.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 volt system, i.e. Do
not use a 24 volt power source.
1. Remove all metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets which might make an unintended electrical
contact.2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles, place the transmission in P (Park), and turn
the ignition OFF.
3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 375
6

WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps and chains may break, causing serious
injury.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
2WD Models Only
Provided the transmission is operable, tow only in N
(Neutral) at speeds not exceeding 30 mph (48 km/h), for
distances of not more than 15 miles (24 km). Towing at
more than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 15 miles(24 km) can cause severe transmission damage. If the
transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km), remove the driveshaft or tow with all four
wheelsOFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle
raised and the other end on a towing dolly.
4WD Models Only
The manufacturer recommends towing with all four
wheelsOFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle
raised and the other end on a towing dolly.
378 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indica-
tor Lightº on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
²If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7