2008 JEEP LIBERTY Ground

INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.
ROLLOVER WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance, and a higher center of gravity than
many passenger cars. It is capable of performing better in
a wide variety of off-road applications. Driven in an
unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to go out of
control. Because of the higher center of gravity, if this
vehicle is out of control it may rollover when some other
vehicles may not.
Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully.
4 INTRODUCTION

WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you are not using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, press down
on the lever and release (ªSET DECELº). Release the
accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the selected
speed.
NOTE:
²The vehicle must be traveling at least 25 mph (40
km/h) for the speed control to set.
²The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed and
on level ground before pressing the lever (ªSET DE-
CELº).
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, or pulling the speed control
lever toward you (ªCANCELº), or normal brake or
clutch pressure while slowing the vehicle will deactivate
the speed control without erasing the set speed from
memory. Pressing the (ON/OFF) button or turning off
the ignition erases the set speed from memory.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with a manual transmis-
sion, depressing the clutch pedal will disengage the
speed control. A slight increase in engine RPM before the
speed control disengages is normal.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

selected. Press the TUNE control knob and the Sirius ID
number will display. The Sirius ID number display will
time out in 2 minutes. Press any button on the radio to
exit this screen.
Selecting Satellite Mode
Press the SAT button until9SAT9appears in the display. A
CD may remain in the radio while in the Satellite radio
mode.
Satellite Antenna
To ensure optimum reception, do not place items on the
roof around the rooftop antenna location or strap items to
the trunk lid around the trunk lid antenna (if equipped).
Metal objects placed within the line of sight of the
antenna will cause decreased performance. Larger lug-
gage items such as bikes should be placed as far rearward
as possible, within the loading design of the rack. Do not
place items directly on or above the antenna.
Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons:
²The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
²Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception in the
form of short audio mutes.
²Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
²Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
Operating Instructions - Satellite Mode
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC
position to operate the radio.
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4

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded three-wire extension cord.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

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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CAUTION!
²Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap).
²A poorly fitting gas cap could let impurities into
the fuel system.
²A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light to turn on.
²To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling. When the fuel
nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
WARNING!
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
²Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
²A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING

Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over front and rear axle. Weighing
the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the frontor rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
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