2008 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD

16. 4 LOW Mode Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the 4WD LOW mode. In this mode, the front
driveshaft and rear driveshaft are mechanically
locked together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. (See page 292 for
more information.)
17. Hill Descent Control Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
The symbol indicates the status of the Hill
Decent Control (HDC) feature. The lamp will
be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only
be armed when the transfer case is in the ª4WD
Lowº position and the vehicle speed is less then 30 mph.
If these conditions are not met while attempting to use
the HDC feature, the HDC indicator lamp will flash
on/off.(See page 314 for more information.)18. TOW / HAUL Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This light will illuminate when selecting
TOW/HAUL. The TOW/HAUL button is lo-
cated on the gearshift bezel. (See page 281 for
more information.)
19. 4WD Indicator Light Ð Vehicles Equipped with
Command-Tract
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode. In this mode, the
front driveshaft and rear driveshaft are me-
chanically locked together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. (See page 292 for
more information.)
20.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) / Brake Assist
System (BAS) Malfunction Indicator Light ± If Equipped
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº in the instrument
196 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

cluster comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
ªONº position. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº comes on continuously
with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected
in either the ESP or the BAS system, or both. If this light
remains on after the several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles at speeds greater
than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as
soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and
corrected.(See page 314 for more information.)
NOTE:The ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº comes on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
NOTE:Each time the ignition switch is turned ON, the
ESP System will be ON even if it was turned off previ-
ously.
NOTE:The ESP Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; thesound will stop when the ESP becomes inactive following
a maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
21. SERV (Service) 4WD Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
The ªSERV 4WD Indicator Lightº will turn on
when the ignition key is turned to the ON
position and it will stay on for 2 seconds. If the
light stays on or turns on during driving, it
means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required.
22. Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the light turns on while driving, safely pull
over and stop the vehicle. If the air conditioner is
on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into ªNº
(Neutral) and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading
does not return to normal, turn the engine off immedi-
ately and call for service. (See page 384 for more infor-
mation.)
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 197
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once again to display the outside temperature and com-
pass heading in the screen below the speedometer. Refer
to ªVacuum Fluorescent Displayº for details
Resetting the Trip Odometer
Display the trip mileage that you want to reset, ªTrip Aº
or ªTrip B.º Then push and hold the button (approxi-
mately 2 seconds) until the display resets to 0. The
odometer must be in Trip Mode to reset the trip odom-
eter.
26. 4WD Indicator Light Ð Vehicles Equipped with
Selec-TractII
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the full-time four-wheel drive auto mode. In
this mode, the system operates with a normal
torque split of 42% front axle and 58% rear axle.
It can redirect up to 100% of torque to the front or rear
axle, if necessary.(See page 292 for more information.)27. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The trip odometer shows individual trip
mileage. Refer to ªTrip Odometer Buttonº for additional
information.
NOTE:U.S. federal regulations require upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify the mileage the
vehicle has been driven. Therefore, if the odometer
reading is changed because of repair or replacement, be
sure to keep a record of the reading before and after the
service so that the correct mileage can be determined.
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
ªdoorº (for door ajar), ªgATEº (for liftgate ajar), ªgLASSº
(for flip-up glass ajar), ªgASCAPº (for fuel cap fault), or
ªCHANgE OILº will display in the odometer.
200 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

NMP1522 Command-TractTransfer Case Ð
If Equipped.........................292
NMP3022 Selec-Trac IItTransfer Case Ð
If Equipped.........................298
mOn-Road Driving Tips...................303
mOff-Road Driving Tips...................304
NWhen To Use 4WD Low Range...........304
NDriving Through Water.................304
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........305
NHill Climbing........................306
NTraction Downhill.....................307
NAfter Driving Off-Road.................307
mParking Brake.........................308
mAnti-Lock Brake System..................310mPower Steering........................313
mElectronic Brake Control System............314
NABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............315
NTCS (Traction Control System)............316
NBAS (Brake Assist System)...............316
NERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)..........317
NTSC (Trailer Sway Control) ± If Equipped....318
NHSA (Hill Start Assist)..................319
NHDC (Hill Descent Control) ± If Equipped . . . 322
NESP (Electronic Stability Program).........324
NESP/BAS Warning Light & ESP/TCS
Indicator Light.......................328
mTire Safety Information...................329
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............358
mAdding Fuel..........................359
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............359
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............361
mVehicle Loading........................361
NCertification Label.....................361
mTrailer Towing.........................364
NCommon Towing Definitions.............364
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............368NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................369
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............371
NTowing Requirements..................372
NTowing Tips.........................377
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 378
NTowing ± 2WD Models.................378
NTowing Ð 4WD Models................378
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the ªNº
(Neutral) or ªPº (Park) position. Apply the brake before
shifting to any driving range.
Manual Transmission Ð If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in ªNº (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal beforestarting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the
clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
4WD Models Only
To enhance off-road performance, 4-wheel drive models
equipped with a manual transmission will start with or
without pressing the clutch pedal when in 4-wheel drive
low range. The 4 LOW indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case is in 4-wheel drive low range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start,turn the ignition
switch to the START position and release it when the
engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds,
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to
15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
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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).
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
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