2008 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD

position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five (5) seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD to 4WD Auto
Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD Auto can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is stopped,
the ignition switch must be in the ON position with the
engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be
completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.
2WD or 4WD Auto to 4WD Low
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise
may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental
to the vehicle or its occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2-3
mph (3-5 km/h) using the ªPreferred Procedureº or
completely stopped using the ªAlternate Procedures.ºPreferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to
2-3 mph (3-5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into ªNº (Neutral) (automatic
transmission), or depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission).
3. While still rolling, move the 4WD Control Switch to
the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear (automatic
transmission), or release the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission).
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
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2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the
engine OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into
ªNº (Neutral) (automatic transmission), or depress the
clutch pedal (manual transmission).
3. Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear (automatic
transmission), or release the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission).
NOTE:
²Steps 1 and 2 in the ªPreferred Procedureº and the
ªAlternate Procedureº are requirements for shifting
the transfer case. If these requirements are not met
prior to attempting the shift or while the shift attempt
is in process, then the indicator light will flash, and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To
retry a shift, move the 4WD Control Switch back to theoriginal 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.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a
narrower track to make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than
ordinary cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
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conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily in
off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
When To Use 4WD Low Range
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD Low for additional
traction and control on slippery or difficult terrain,
ascending or descending steep hills, and to increase
low-speed pulling power. This range should be limited to
extreme situations such as deep snow, mud, or sand
where additional low speed pulling power is needed.
Vehicle speeds in excess of 25 mph (40 km/h) should be
avoided when in 4WD Low range.
Driving Through Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
water, there are a number of precautions that must be
considered before entering the water:
CAUTION!
When driving through water, do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h). Always check water depth before entering as
a precaution, and check all fluids afterward. Driving
through water may cause damage that may not be
covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
Driving through water more than a few inches deep will
require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent dam-
age to your vehicle. If you must drive through water, try
to determine the depth and the bottom condition (and
location of any obstacles) prior to entering. Proceed with
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caution and maintain a steady controlled speed less than
5 mph (8 km/h) in deep water to minimize wave effects.
Flowing Water
If the water is swift flowing and rising (as in storm
run-off) avoid crossing until the water level recedes
and/or the flow rate is reduced. If you must cross
flowing-water, avoid depths in excess of 9 inches. The
flowing water can erode the streambed causing your
vehicle to sink into deeper water. Determine exit point(s)
that are downstream of your entry point to allow for
drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than 20 inches,
and reduce speed appropriately to minimize wave ef-
fects. Maximum speed in 20 inches of water is less than 5
mph (8 km/h).Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine, transmission, axle, transfer
case) to assure they have not been contaminated. Con-
taminated fluids and lubricants (milky, foamy in appear-
ance) should be flushed/changed as soon as possible to
prevent component damage.
Driving In Snow, Mud and Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD Low if necessary.
Refer to ªFour-Wheel Drive Operationº in this section.
Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
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Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD Low. Use
first gear and 4WD Low for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing
the compression braking of the engine to help regulate
your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle
speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding
the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back straight
down a hill in R (Reverse) gear carefully. Never back
down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
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Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4WD Low range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake rotors, wheels,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
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HDC control speed. Conversely, if more speed is desired
during HDC control, the accelerator pedal will increase
vehicle speed in the usual manner. When either the brake
or the accelerator is released, HDC will control the
vehicle at the original set speed.
NOTE:HDC is available on vehicles equipped with the
MP1522 transfer case.
²The transfer case must be in 4WD low range to enable
HDC.
²HDC is enabled only when the ªHill Descent Control
Indicatorº light in the instrument cluster is on solid.
²HDC will NOT activate when the automatic transmis-
sion is in ªPº (Park).
²HDC will NOT activate on level ground.
²HDC will NOT activate at vehicle speeds above 30
mph (50 km/h).The ªHill Descentº button is located in the lower switch
bank below the climate control.
Enabling HDC
Shift the transfer case into 4WD low range.
Refer to ªFour-Wheel Drive Operationº in this
section for transfer case operation information.
Hill Descent Button
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Press the ªHill Descentº button. The ªHill
Descent Control Indicatorº light in the instru-
ment cluster will turn on solid.
NOTE:If the transfer case is not in 4WD low range, the
ªHill Descent Control Indicatorº light will flash for 5
seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
Disabling HDC
1. Press the ªHill Descentº button or shift the transfer
case out of 4WD low range. The ªHill Descent Control
Indicatorº light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path.The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The9ESP/TCS Indicatorº light located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The9ESP/TCS Indicatorº light also
flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS Indicatorº
light begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
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