2008 JEEP LIBERTY automatic transmission

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission ModelGCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal AreaMax. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.7L/6-Speed Manual 4x2 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg) 40 Sq. Ft. (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/6-Speed Manual 4x4 8,750 lbs (3 969 kg) 40 Sq. Ft. (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/Automatic 4x2 7,150 lbs (3 243 kg) 32 Sq. Ft. (2.97
square meters)2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic 4x4 7,400 lbs ( 3 356 kg) 32 Sq. Ft. (2.97
square meters)2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic w/
Cooler4x2 9,850 lbs (4 468 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and it
should never exceed the weight referenced on the ªTire and Loading Informationº placard. Refer to ªTire±Safety
Informationº in this section.
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When Towing Trailers with Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) between 3,500 Lbs (1 588 kg) and 5,000 Lbs (2 268 kg)
The following chart provides maximum trailer weight ratings towable for the following engine/transmission
combinations,ONLYif using a weight distributing hitch.
Engine/
TransmissionModel GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.7L/
Automatic w/
Cooler4x2 9,850 lbs (4 468 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
3.7L/
Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and it
should never exceed the weight referenced on the ªTire and Loading Informationº placard. Refer to ªTire±Safety
Informationº in this section.
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²When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause
a loss of control, poor performance, or damage to
brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspen-
sion, chassis structure, or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
ªPº (Park). With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into ªRº (Reverse). Always, block or
9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
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Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, you will
want to activate the TOW/HAUL feature. Refer to ªAu-
tomatic Transmissionº in this section for additional in-
formation.
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL feature while operating
the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will im-
prove performance and extend transmission life by re-
ducing excessive shifting and heat build up. This action
will also provide better engine braking.If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the auto-
matic transmission fluid and filter according to the
interval specified for ªpolice, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer
towingº in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in this manual.
Towing Tips Ð TOW/HAUL
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, press the ªTOW HAULº button when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position ª2º
on more severe grades. Refer to ªAutomatic Transmis-
sionº in this section for additional information.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
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CAUTION!
²The Automatic Transmission must be in ªPº (Park)
position for recreational towing. The Manual
Transmission (if equipped) must be in gear (for
example, 4th gear) for recreational towing. Failure
to follow these procedures can cause severe trans-
mission and/or transfer case damage.
²Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
²Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under ªShifting into Neutralº to be cer-
tain that the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N).
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
WARNING!
You 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 drive-
shaft 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.
Shifting into Neutral (N)
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for recreational towing:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
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5

3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission to ªNº (Neutral) (automatic
transmission), or depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission).
6. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object to
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
4 seconds. After the shift is complete, and the Neutral (N)
light turns on, release the Neutral (N) button.
7. Start the engine.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into ªRº (Reverse).
9. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the transmission in ªDº
(Drive) (automatic transmission) or 1st gear (manual
transmission).11. Shut OFF the engine.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF posi-
tion.
13. Shift the transmission into ªPº (Park) (automatic
transmission), or shift into 4th gear (manual transmis-
sion).
14. Attach the vehicle to a tow vehicle with a tow bar.
15. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
NOTE:
²Steps 1 through 5 are requirements for shifting the
transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior to
depressing the Neutral (N) selection button or while
the shift attempt is in process, then the Neutral (N)
indicator light will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the Neutral (N) button is
released.
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

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, the shift will not take place and no position
indicator lights will be on or flashing.
²Flashing Neutral (N) position indicator light indicates
that shift requirements have not been met.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into ªPº (Park) with the transfer
case in Neutral (N) and the engine RUNNING. With
the transfer case in Neutral (N), ensure that the
engine is OFF prior to shifting the transmission into
ªPº (Park).
Shifting Out of Neutral (N)
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Reconnect the battery negative cable.
3. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position (if it
has been moved or the engine has been started).
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
start the engine.
5. Depress the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into ªNº (Neutral) (automatic
transmission), or depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission).
7. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object to
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button.
Release the Neutral (N) button after the Neutral (N)
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5

indicator light turns off (approximately 1 second). After
the Neutral (N) button is released, the transfer case will
shift to the position identified by the selector switch.
8. Start the engine.
9. Shift the transmission into ªDº (Drive) (automatic
transmission) or into 1st gear and momentarily release
the clutch (manual transmission) to verify that the trans-
fer case has engaged.
10. Set the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into ªPº (Park) (automatic
transmission), or into ªNº (Neutral) (manual transmis-
sion).NOTE:
²Steps 1 through 6 are requirements for shifting the
transfer case. If these requirements not met prior to
depressing the Neutral (N) selection button or while
the shift attempt is in process, then all of the mode
position indicator lights will flash continuously until
all requirements are met or until the Neutral (N)
button is released.
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 in not in the ON
position, the shift will not take place and no position
indicator lights will be on or flashing.
²Flashing Neutral (N) position indicator light indicates
that shift requirements have not been met.
382 STARTING AND OPERATING