2008 JEEP WRANGLER ECU

25. Close the header latches and return the sun visors to
their secured position.FOLDING WINDSHIELD
The fold-down windshield and removable side bars on
your vehicle are structural elements that can provide
some protection in some accidents. The windshield also
provides some protection against weather, road debris
and intrusion of small branches and other objects.
Do not drive your vehicle on-road with the windshield
down and the side bars removed as you lose the protec-
tion these structural elements can provide.
If required for certain off-road uses, the side bars can be
removed and the windshield folded down. However, the
protection afforded by these features is then lost. If you
remove the side bars and fold down the windshield,
drive slowly and cautiously. It is recommended that the
speed of the vehicle be limited to 10 mph (16 km/h), with
low range operation preferred, if you are driving off-road
with the windshield folded down.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 191
3

Raise the windshield and reinstall the side bars as soon as
the task that required their removal is completed and
before you return to on-road driving. Both you and your
passenger should wear seat belts at all times, on-road and
off-road, regardless of whether the windshield is raised
or folded down.
Outside rearview mirrors are mounted on the doors. If
you choose to remove the doors, see your authorized
dealer for a replacement cowl-mounted outside mirror.
Federal law requires outside mirrors on vehicles for
on-road use.WARNING!
Carefully follow these warnings to help protect against
personal injury:
•Do not drive your vehicle on-road with the wind-
shield down.
• Do not drive your vehicle unless the windshield is
securely fastened, either up or down.
• Eye protection, such as goggles, should be worn at all
times when the windshield is down.
• Be sure that you carefully follow the instructions for
raising the windshield. Make sure that the folding
windshield, windshield wipers, side bars, and all
associated hardware and fasteners are correctly and
tightly assembled before driving your vehicle. Failure
to follow these instructions may prevent your vehicle
from providing you and your passengers protection
in some accidents.
• If you remove the doors, store them outside the
vehicle. In the event of an accident, a loose door may
cause personal injury.
192 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Pull side bar out horizontally when removing.
CAUTION!
Do not remove the head impact foam from the side
bars, as damage to the foam may result. NOTE:
Store all of the mounting bolts in their original
threaded holes and tighten for safekeeping.
5. Remove side bar assembly, and reattach sport bar
Velcro covering.
6. To safely store the side bars in your vehicle, use four
cinch straps (available from your authorized dealer).
Attach the straps through the slots located on the floor
behind the folded rear seat at the front of the storage bin
cover.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you carry the side
bars loose in your vehicle. Remove the side bars from
the vehicle or securely store them as described or
they may cause personal injury if an accident occurs.
See your authorized dealer for the cinch straps.
194 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

7. Remove the windshield wiper arms by first pulling
the wiper away from the windshield and out to the
“lock” position. Unsnap the wiper arm nut caps, and
remove retaining nuts. Lift the wiper arms off and store
in center console or securely behind the rear seat.
8. Remove the lower windshield plates by removing the
six black round-headed Torxhead screws (using a #40
Torx head driver) on each side of the base of the
windshield.
9. Lower the windshield gently until it contacts the
rubber hood bumpers.
10. Secure the windshield by passing a cinch strap
through the footman hoop on the center of the hood and
on the center of the windshield frame. Tighten the strap
to secure the windshield in place.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 195
3

15. Tachometer
This light indicates the engine speed in revolutions per
minute (RPM).
CAUTION!
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer in the red area. Engine damage will occur.
16. Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the
engine will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
17. Sentry Key/Security Alarm Indicator Light — If
Equipped
Refer to “Sentry Key Immobilizer System” or “Vehicle
Security Alarm” in Section 2 of this manual. 18. Coolant Temperature Gauge
Indicates engine coolant temperature. The red
zone to the far right indicates possible overheat-
ing. Seek your authorized dealer immediately if
the gauge operates in the red zone. On U.S. vehicles, the
temperature is indicated in degrees fahrenheit; and on
Canadian vehicles in degrees centigrade.
19. Cruise Indicator Light This light shows when the electronic speed
control system is turned on.
20. 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 209
4

The Basics of Off-Road Driving
You will encounter many types of terrain driving off-
road. You should be familiar with the terrain and area
before proceeding. There are many types of surface
conditions: hard packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow and ice. Every surface has a different effect on
your vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Control-
ling your vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road
driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid sudden
accelerations, turns or braking. In most cases there are no
road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights. Therefore
you will need to use your own good judgment on what is
safe and what isn’t. When on a trail you should always be
looking ahead for surface obstacles and changes in
terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route while
remembering what you are currently driving over.CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials. The heat from your vehicle
exhaust system could cause a fire.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down
cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles in an
off-road situation.
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

the front or 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 affect
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.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this Owner’s Manual concern-
ing vehicles used for trailer towing.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety 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.
•Vehicles 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
PARK. With a manual transmission, shift the transmis-
sion into 1st gear. And with four-wheel-drive vehicles,
make sure the transfer case is not in N (Neutral).
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
354 STARTING AND OPERATING