2008 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

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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5

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

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

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................384
mJacking And Tire Changing................385
NJack Location........................385
NSpare Tire Stowage....................386
NSpare Tire Removal....................386NPreparations For Jacking................387
NJacking Instructions....................388
mJump Starting.........................390
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................393
6

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
the Fan Control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads ªH,º
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªH,º and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
384 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES