2008 JEEP LIBERTY Ground

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 neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þRefer to ªCooling Systemº under ªMaintenance Pro-
ceduresº in Section 7 of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing ± 2WD Models
Recreational towing is not allowed.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground can result
in severe transmission damage.
Towing Ð 4WD Models
The transfer case must be shifted into Neutral (N) for
recreational towing. The Neutral (N) selection button is
located at the top of the 4WD Control Switch. Shifts into
and out of transfer case Neutral (N) can take place with
the selector switch in any mode position.
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the
vehicle and is held in place by a cable winch mechanism.
Spare Tire Removal
Fit the jack handle extension over the drive nut. Use the
Lug Wrench to rotate the nut counter clockwise until the
spare is on the ground with enough slack in the cable to
allow you to pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
Lowering/Raising Spare Tire
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Instructions
1. Remove spare tire.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
3. Remove jack and tools from mounting bracket. As-
semble the tools by connecting the driver to the exten-
sion, and then to the lug wrench.
4. Locate the jack as shown. For the front tires, place it in
the notch on the body weld seam behind wheel to be
changed. For the rear tires, place it under the axle by the
wheel to be changed. Position the jack handle on the jack.
Do not raise the vehicle until you are sure the jack is
fully engaged.
Front Jacking Location
388 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Wear eye protection and remove all metal jewelry such
as watchbands or bracelets that might make an unin-
tended electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach, but without
allowing the vehicles to touch.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.3. Set the parking brake, place the automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for manual transmission),
and turn the ignition OFF for both vehicles.
4. Turn OFF the heater, radio and all unnecessary elec-
trical loads.
5. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the positive
battery post. Connect the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the booster battery.
6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine ground of
the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you
have a good contact on the engine ground.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 391
6

TOWING METHOD
NOTE:The transmission & transfer case must be in ªNº Neutral under any towing configuration.
Model Flat Towing (all four
wheels on the
ground)Flat Bed Towing
(Recommended for
speeds > 30 mph (48
km/h) & distances >
15 miles (24 km)
and/or when using a
vehicle trailer [All
four wheels sus-
pended off the
ground])Front Wheels
Raised, Rear Wheels
on the GroundRear Wheels Raised,
Front Wheels on the
Ground
2 Wheel Drive Rear driveshaft re-
movedAll four wheels sus-
pended off the
groundSpeed < 30 mph (48
km/h) & distance <
15 miles (24 km)Speed < 30 mph (48
km/h) & distance <
15 miles (24 km)
4 Wheel Drive Yes All four wheels sus-
pended off the
groundNot Recommended Not Recommended
394 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed up 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. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
7

The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scald-
ing or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while
the system is hot or under pressure.
²Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children,
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the coolant in the bottle should be
between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
7

NOTE:
²The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If a scheduled
oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOil Change Requiredº under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 3 ofthis manual or under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº under
ªInstrument Cluster Descriptionsº in Section 3 of this
manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 453
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