2009 JEEP COMMANDER load capacity

VEHICLE LOADING
Certification Label
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label
affixed to the driver’s side door or B-Pillar.
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is
included on this label and indicates the month, day, and
hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the
bottom of the label is your VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options, trailertongue weight, and cargo. The label also specifies maxi-
mum capacities of front and rear axle systems (GAWR).
Total load must be limited, so GVWR, and front and rear
GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the
driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle’s GAWR is determined by the components in
the system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires, or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components, sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability, does not necessarily increase the ve-
hicle’s GVWR.
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Tire Size
The tire size on the label represents the actual tire size on
your vehicle. Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
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 ensure that the GVWR has not been ex-
ceeded. 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 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.
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5

measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination. (Note that
GCWR ratings include a 150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the
presence of a driver).
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Trailer Tongue Weight (TW)
The TW is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball
by the trailer. In most cases, it should not be less than 10%
or more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider
this as part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height and maximum
width of the front of a trailer.
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Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires–General Information” in this section.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires–General Infor-
mation” in this section.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” in this section. Replacing tires with a higher load
carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically-actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically-
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge-actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing, you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a 4 and 7–pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
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Cargo Load Floor........................ 178
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 378
Cellular Phone........................88,270
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 464
Certification Label....................... 378
Chains, Tire............................ 354
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 401
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 339
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 419
Checks, Safety........................... 75
Child Restraint....................64,65,69,71
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............68,69
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Climate Control......................... 271
Clock........................220,234,237,247
Cold Weather Operation................... 294
Command View Skylights.................. 172
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 270Compact Spare Tire...................... 349
Compass.............................. 210
Compass Calibration..................... 210
Compass Variance....................... 211
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 206
Connector
UCI ................................ 257
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 257
Console, Overhead....................... 162
Contract, Service........................ 489
Cooling System......................... 431
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 433
Coolant Capacity...................... 465
Coolant Level......................... 435
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 435
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 432
Inspection........................... 431
Points to Remember.................... 436
Pressure Cap......................... 434
498 INDEX

Sun Visor Extension....................... 87
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 52
Sway Control, Trailer..................... 331
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 424
System, Remote Starting.................... 27
Tachometer............................ 194
Telescoping Steering Column............... 151
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)........ 274
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 196
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 68
Theft System Arming...................... 20
Theft System Disarming.................... 21
Tilt Steering Column..................... 151
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 146
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 342
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 341
Tire Markings.......................... 337
Tire Safety Information.................... 337Tires ............................75,346,492
Air Pressure.......................... 347
Chains.............................. 354
Changing............................ 401
Compact Spare........................ 349
General Information.................... 346
High Speed.......................... 348
Inflation Pressures..................... 347
Jacking............................. 401
Life of Tires.......................... 352
Load Capacity........................ 342
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 356
Pressure Warning Light.................. 195
Quality Grading....................... 492
Radial.............................. 349
Replacement......................... 353
Rotation............................ 355
Safety............................75,337
Sizes............................... 339
512 INDEX