2008 JEEP LIBERTY trailer

WARNING!
²Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using the Rear Park Assist System. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you, and
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots before back-
ing up. You are responsible for safety and must
continue to pay attention to your surroundings. Fail-
ure to do so can result in serious injury or death.
²Before using the Rear Park Assist System, it is
strongly recommended that the ball mount and hitch
ball assembly is disconnected from the vehicle when
the vehicle is not used for towing. Failure to do so
can result in injury or damage to vehicles or obstacles
because the hitch ball will be much closer to the
obstacle than the rear fascia when the warning dis-
play turns the red LEDs ON. Also, the sensors could
detect the ball mount and hitch ball assembly, de-
pending on its size and shape, giving a false indica-
tion that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
Enabling & Disabling the System
There are times when you may want to disable the Rear
Park Assist System, such as when towing a trailer.
Vehicles Equipped With the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)
You can turn the Rear Park Assist System on or off
through the EVIC. For details, refer to ªPersonal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElectronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual.
Vehicles Equipped with Rear Park Assist Switch
You can turn the Rear Park Assist System on or off by
pressing the Rear Park Assist switch located the lower
switch bank below the climate controls.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
9H,9this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will
sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass9H.9In this case, the indicator will flash
continuously and a continuous chime will sound, until
the engine is allowed to cool.
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.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
23. Coolant Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indicates
that the cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The
gauge pointer will likely indicate a high temperature
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the pointer rises
to the ªHº mark, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If
198 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

the air conditioner is on, turn it off. Also, shift the
transmission into ªNº (Neutral) and idle the vehicle. If
the needle remains on the ªHº mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service. (See page 384 for more
information.)
NOTE:The gauge pointer will remain near its last
reading when the engine is turned off. It will return to a
true reading when the engine is restarted.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running, as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.24. Transmission Temperature Warning Light Ð If
Equipped
This light indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this
light turns on, safely pull over and stop the
vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into ªNº (Neutral)
and run the engine at idle or faster until the light turns
off.
25. Trip Odometer Button
Changing the Display
Press and release this button once to change the display
from odometer to ªTrip A.º Press and release it again to
change the display from ªTrip Aº to ªTrip B.º On vehicles
equipped with a Base Cluster, press and release it once
again to display the outside temperature. On vehicles
equipped with a Mid Line Cluster, press and release it
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 199
4

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

NOTE:
²If the vehicle is started in extremely cold temperatures,
the transmission may not shift into Overdrive. It will
however, automatically select the most desirable gear
for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
²If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough, the
ªTransmission Temperature Warning Lightº may illu-
minate, and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After a
cool down, the transmission will resume normal op-
eration.The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear.
NOTE:ªTOW/HAULº mode locks out Overdrive.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

Two additional electronic brake control system options
are HDC (Hill Descent Control) and TSC (Trailer Sway
Control). Your vehicle may be equipped with one or both
of these options.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up to
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
WARNING!
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ABS cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner, which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
5

WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions, and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM (Electronic
Roll Mitigation) cannot prevent all wheel lift or
rollovers, especially those that involve leaving the
roadway or striking objects or other vehicles. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's safety or
the safety of others.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control) ± If Equipped
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer. TSC activates automatically once
the excessively swaying trailer is recognized. When TSC
is functioning, the ªESP/TCS Indicatorº light will flash,
the engine power will be reduced, and you will feel the
brake being applied to individual wheels in an attempt to
stop the trailer from swaying.
NOTE:The TSC is disabled when the ESP system is in
the ªPartial Offº mode and ªFull Offº mode.
318 STARTING AND OPERATING