2008 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED service

INTRODUCTION
This is a specialized utility vehicle designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform
tasks for which conventional two-wheel drive enclosed
vehicles were not intended. It handles and maneuvers
differently from many passenger cars both on-road and
off-road, so take time to become familiar with your
vehicle.
The two-wheel drive utility vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving
or use in other severe conditions suited for a four-wheel
drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner’s
Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering, transmis-
sion, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road orworking the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect
the vehicle to overcome the natural laws of physics.
Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws
wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident. Refer to “On-Road/Off-Road Driving Tips” in
Section 5 of this manual.
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your 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.
4 INTRODUCTION

NOTE:Perchlorate Material – special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•Does not come on during the six to eight seconds after
the ignition switch is first turned on.
•Remains on after the six to eight second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time while driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder prior to the moment of airbag deployment, and up to a
quarter-second of high-speed deceleration data during
and/or after airbag deployment or near-deployment.
EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys, or
nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
•Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn
more about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, such investigations may
be requested by customers, insurance carriers, govern-
ment officials, and professional crash researchers, such as
those associated with universities, and with hospital and
insurance organizations.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times — babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so the correct mileage can be
determined.
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
“door” (indicates that a door(s) may be ajar), “gATE” (if
the swing gate is open or ajar), “gASCAP” (which
indicates that your gas cap is possibly loose or damaged),
CHANgE OIL” (indicates that the engine oil should be
changed), “ESPOFF” (indicates that ESP is turned off),
and “noFUSE” (indicates that the Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) fuse is removed from the Integrated Power Mod-
ule), will display in the odometer.Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “CHANgE OIL” message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty-cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the fol-
lowing procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
212 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

will flash anytime the ESP or TCS is active and helping to
improve vehicle stability. If the ESP/TCS Indicator Light
is on solid, the ESP system has been turned off by the
driver or a temporary condition exists that will not allow
full ESP function.
27. O/D (Overdrive) Off Indicator LightThis light will illuminate when the O/D OFF
button has been selected. The O/D OFF button is
located on the center console.
28. Sway Bar Indicator Light — If Equipped This light will illuminate when the front sway
bar is disconnected.
29. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Brake Assist
System (BAS) Warning Light The ESP/BAS Warning Light in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position. The light should go out with the engine running. If the ESP/BAS Warning
Light comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in either the ESP or the
BAS system. If this light stays illuminated, have the ESP
and BAS checked at your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control System” in
Section 3 for more information.
30. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light —
If Equipped
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control System. If a prob-
lem is detected while the engine is running, the
light will either stay on or flash depending on
the nature of the problem. Cycle the ignition key when
the vehicle is safely and completely stopped and the shift
lever is placed in the PARK position. The light should
turn off. If the light remains on with the engine running,
your vehicle will usually be drivable, however, see your
authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.

System Activation
Sirius Satellite Radio service is pre-activated, and you
may begin listening immediately to the one year of audio
service that is included with the factory-installed satellite
radio system in your vehicle. Sirius will supply a wel-
come kit that contains general information, including
how to setup your on-line listening account at no addi-
tional charge. For further information, call the toll-free
number 888-539-7474, or visit the Sirius web site at
www.sirius.com, or at www.siriuscanada.ca for Cana-
dian residents.
Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ESN/SID)
Please have the following information available when
calling:
1. The Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ESN/SID).
2. Your Vehicle Identification Number.To access the ESN/SID, refer to the following steps:
ESN/SID Access With RES/REQ Radios
With the ignition switch in the ON/RUN or ACC posi-
tion and the radio ON, press the SETUP button and scroll
using the TUNE/SCROLL control knob until Sirius ID is
selected. Press the TUNE/SCROLL control knob and the
Sirius ID number will display. The Sirius ID number
display will time out in two minutes. Press any button on
the radio to exit this screen.
ESN/SID Access With RER/REN Radios
While in SAT mode, press the MENU button on the radio
faceplate.
Next touch the SUBSCRIPTION tab on the touch screen.
All the ESNs that apply to your vehicle will be displayed.
254 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Fluids and
Genuine Parts in Section 7 for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift intoNEUTRAL (N) and depress the accelerator slightly for
fast idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
266 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in two or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be
replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven