2008 JEEP LIBERTY brake

Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of ªPº (Park) and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. Always depress thebrake pedal first,before
moving the gear selector out of ªPº (Park).
4±Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from ªDº (Drive) to ªPº (Park) or ªRº (Reverse)
(or from ªPº or ªRº to ªDº) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from ªPº (Park)
or ªNº (Neutral) position into another gear range.
Automatic Shift Controls
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ªPº (Park)
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
and then place the selector in ªPº (Park) position.
WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº
(Park) or ªNº (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in ªRº (Reverse). You could lose control of
the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
ªRº (Reverse)
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
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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

6-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE:The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in ªRº (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the
ON position.
Manual Shift Controls
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WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
²Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
²Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
²Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
²Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
²When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
²Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
²During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
²Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
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CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front wheels
or rear wheels are spinning. The MP1522 Command-Tract
transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and
therefore the speed of the front driveshaft and rear drive-
shaft must be equal for the shift to take place. Shifting
while only the front wheels or rear wheels are spinning can
cause damage to the transfer case.
²The 4WD Lock position and 4WD Low position are in-
tended for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
these positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo-
nents.
²When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD posi-
tion or 4WD LOCK position at a given road speed. Take
care not to over-speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
²Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires
of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any
difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
²You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
²Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the ªSERV 4WDº light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
²Since 4-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road condi-
tions permit. You or others could be injured.
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CAUTION!
²The 4WD Low position is intended for loose or
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in this posi-
tion on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to the driveline
components.
²When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the
engine speed is approximately three times that of
the 2WD position or 4WD AUTO position at a
given road speed. Take care not to over-speed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
²Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles de-
pends on tires of equal size, type, and circumfer-
ence on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can
cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
²You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
²Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the ªSERV 4WDº light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
²Since 4-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit. You or others could be injured.
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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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