2008 JEEP LIBERTY towing

ªNº (Neutral)
Shift into ªNº (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 ªNº (Neutral) can
result in severe transmission damage. Refer to ªRecre-
ational Towingº in Section 5 and ªTowing a Disabled
Vehicleº in Section 6 of this manual.
ªDº (Drive)
For most city and highway driving.
ª2º (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry pave-
ment or in mud and snow. Begins at a stop in low gear
with automatic upshift to 2nd gear. Will not shift to 3rd.ª1º (First)
For hard pulling at low speeds in mud, sand, snow, or on
steep grades. Begins and stays in low gear with no
upshift. Provides engine compression braking at low
speeds.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth speed (Overdrive). The trans-
mission will automatically shift from 3rd gear to Over-
drive if the following conditions are present:
²The transmission selector is in ªDº (Drive).
²The vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h).
²The ªTOW/HAULº button has not been activated.
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5

NOTE:
²If the vehicle is started in extremely cold temperatures,
the transmission may not shift into Overdrive. It will
however, automatically select the most desirable gear
for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
²If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough, the
ªTransmission Temperature Warning Lightº may illu-
minate, and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After a
cool down, the transmission will resume normal op-
eration.The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear.
NOTE:ªTOW/HAULº mode locks out Overdrive.
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CAUTION!
Failure to follow the recommended downshifting
speeds may cause the engine to over speed and/or
damage the clutch disc even if the clutch pedal is
depressed.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
MP1522 Command-TracTTransfer Case Ð If
Equipped
Operating Information & Precautions
The Command-Tracttransfer case provides four posi-
tions:
²2 (rear) wheel drive high range.
²4-wheel drive high range.
²Neutral.
²4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel
drive position (2WD) for normal street and highway
conditions such as dry hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, select the transfer
case 4WD Lock position or 4WD Low position. This
position locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft
together and forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed.
Use the transfer case Neutral (N) position for recreational
towing only. Refer to ªRecreational Towingº in this
section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of
Neutral (N).
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N
Neutral - Disengages both the front driveshaft and rear
driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in this section for more information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The 4WD indicator lights are located in the instrument
cluster. The ªNº (Neutral) indicator light is located on the
4WD Control Switch. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is 2-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4WD LOCK, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been ob-
tained.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not met:
²An indicator light will flash.
²The transfer casewill notshift.NOTE:The ªSERV 4WDº warning light monitors the
electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after
engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means
that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift,
move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five (5) seconds, and try the shift again.
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5

original position, make certain all shift requirements
have been met, wait five (5) seconds, and try the shift
again.
²The ignition switch must be in the ON position for a
shift to take place and for the position indicator lights
to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON
position, then the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
MP3022 Selec-Trac IITTransfer Case Ð If
Equipped
Operating Information & Precautions
The Selec-Trac IItactive on-demand transfer case pro-
vides four positions:
²2 (rear) wheel drive high range.
²4-wheel drive auto high range.
²Neutral.
²4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in either the
2-wheel drive position (2WD) or the 4-wheel drive Auto
position (4WD Auto) for normal street and highway
conditions such as dry hard surfaced roads.
For added capability when traversing steep grades,
rough terrain, or extremely poor traction surfaces, select
the transfer case 4WD Low position. This position locks
the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together and
forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed while multiplying engine torque.
Use the transfer case Neutral (N) position for recreational
towing only. Refer to ªRecreational Towingº in this
section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of
Neutral (N).
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Interlocking Ignition Systemº under ªManual Transmis-
sionº or to ªStarting Proceduresº in this section for
details.
N
Neutral - Disengages both the front driveshaft and rear
driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in this section for more information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The 4WD indicator lights are located in the instrument
cluster. The ªNº (Neutral) indicator light is located on the
4WD Control Switch. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is 2-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4WD AUTO, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been ob-
tained.If One or More Shift Requirements are not met:
²An indicator light will flash.
²The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:The ªSERV 4WDº warning light monitors the
electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after
engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means
that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift,
move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
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5

WARNING!
²TSC (Trailer Sway Control) cannot stop all trailers
from swaying. Always use caution when towing a
trailer and follow the tongue weight recommenda-
tions. Refer to ºVehicle Loadingº and ªTrailer
Towingº in this section for more information be-
fore towing a trailer with your vehicle.
²If TSC activates while towing a trailer, stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe location and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate the trailer sway.
²Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury.
HSA (Hill Start Assist)
The HSA system is designed to help the driver accelerate
the vehicle from a complete stop while on an incline. If
the driver releases the brake while stopped on an incline,
HSA will continue to hold the brake pressure for a short
period. If the driver does not apply the throttle before this
time expires, the system will release brake pressure and
the vehicle will roll down the hill as normal. The system
will release brake pressure in proportion to amount of
throttle applied.
The following conditions must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²The vehicle must be stopped.
²The vehicle must be on a 7% or greater incline.
²The Gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction
(i.e. vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle
backing uphill is in reverse gear).
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5

²For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission,
the HSA will work in reverse gear and all forward
gears. The system will not activate if the transmission
is in ªPº (Park).
²For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the
HSA will work in reverse gear, neutral, and all forward
gears.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the HSA (Hill Start
Assist) will not activate and slight rolling may occur,
such as on minor hills (i.e., less than 7%), or with a
loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer. HSA is not
a substitute for active driving involvement. It is
always the driver 's responsibility to be attentive to
distance to other vehicles, people, and objects, and
most importantly brake operation to ensure safe
operation of the vehicle under all road conditions.
Your complete attention is always required while
driving to maintain safe control of your vehicle.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury.
Towing with HSA
HSA will provide assistance during acceleration on an
incline while towing a trailer.
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