2009 JEEP COMMANDER traction control

If you stall or begin to lose forward motionwhile
climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop
and immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine,
and shift into REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill,
allowing the compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control
vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or
skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion, or
cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade,
never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in REVERSE gear. Never
back down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the brake.Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain forward motion
by turning the front wheels slowly. This may provide a
fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually provide
traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear, and the transfer
case into 4WD LOW range. Let the vehicle go slowly
down the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
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NOTE:During severe braking conditions, a pulsing
sensation may occur and a clicking noise will be heard.
This is normal, indicating that the ABS is functioning.
WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely,
follow these tips:
•Do not “ride” the brakes by resting your foot on the
pedal. This could overheat the brakes and result in
unpredictable braking action, longer stopping dis-
tances, or brake damage.
•When descending mountains or hills, repeated brak-
ing can cause brake fade with loss of braking control.
Avoid repeated heavy braking by downshifting the
transmission or locking out overdrive whenever pos-
sible.
•Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up,
which could cause rear wheels to spin and result in
loss of vehicle control. Be especially careful while
driving on slippery roads, in close-quarter maneuver-
ing, parking, or stopping.
•Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially
when roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can
build up between the tire tread and the road. This
hydroplaning action can cause loss of traction, braking
ability, and control.
•After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes
may become wet, resulting in decreased performance
and unpredictable braking action. Dry the brakes by
gentle, intermittent pedal action while driving at very
slow speeds.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING

MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) — 5.7L
ENGINE ONLY
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine’s eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:The MDS system may take some time to return
to full functionality after a battery disconnect.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation), and
ESP (Electronic Stability Program). All five of these
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.Also, your vehicle is equipped with TSC (Trailer Sway
Control) and, if it has 4WD with the NV245 two-speed
transfer case, HSA (Hill Start Assist) and HDC (Hill
Descent Control).
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 and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
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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.
TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration andstability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in
either the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. Refer to “ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)” in this section for more
information.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
324 STARTING AND OPERATING

Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 493
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Electronic Stability Program............... 326
Traction Control System................. 324
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)............. 325
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 153
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 326
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 199
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................197,200
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 306
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 400
Jacking............................. 401
Jump Starting......................... 409
Tow Hooks.......................... 411
Emission Control System Maintenance......419,470
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 424
Block Heater......................... 296
Break-In Recommendations................ 73Compartment...................415,416,417
Compartment Identification.........415,416,417
Cooling............................. 431
Exhaust Gas Caution................42,74,371
Fails to Start.......................... 295
Flooded, Starting...................... 295
Fuel Requirements..................367,465
Multi-Displacement.................... 323
Oil ..............................422,465
Oil Change Interval.................... 422
Oil Disposal.......................... 424
Oil Filter............................ 424
Oil Filter Disposal..................... 424
Oil Selection.......................423,465
Oil Synthetic......................... 424
Overheating.......................... 400
Starting............................. 292
Temperature Gauge.................... 196
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 423
500 INDEX

Courtesy/Reading..................... 147
Cruise.............................. 198
Daytime Running...................... 143
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............140,146
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 336
Electronic Throttle Control Warning......... 199
Fog ..........................143,199,461
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 198
Fuses............................... 449
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 400
Headlight Switch...................... 140
Headlights........................... 458
Headlights On With Wipers............... 141
High Beam Indicator.................... 192
Illuminated Entry....................... 21
Instrument Cluster..................140,144
Interior..........................144,147
Lights On Reminder.................... 145
Low Fuel............................ 200Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 193
Oil Pressure.......................... 194
Passing............................. 146
Reading............................. 147
Rear Servicing........................ 462
Rear Tail............................ 462
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 198
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............. 194
Service............................. 458
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 193
Side Marker.......................... 462
SmartBeams.......................... 141
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 195
Tow/Haul Indicator.................... 197
Traction Control....................... 336
Turn Signal..................140,145,460,462
Vanity Mirror.......................... 87
Voltage............................. 199
Load Floor, Cargo....................... 178
INDEX 505
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Spare Tire........................... 402
Spinning............................ 351
Tread Wear Indicators................... 352
Wheel Mounting...................... 408
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 385
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 305
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 411
Tow/Haul Indicator Light................. 197
Towing............................380,412
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 102
Disabled Vehicle....................... 412
Guide.............................. 384
Recreational.......................... 392
Weight.............................. 384
Towing Assistance....................... 102
Traction Control......................... 324
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)................. 331
Trailer Towing.......................... 380
Cooling System Tips.................... 392Hitches............................. 383
Minimum Requirements................. 386
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 385
Wiring.............................. 389
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 384
Trailer Weight.......................... 384
Transfer Case........................... 439
Maintenance......................... 439
Transmission
Automatic........................299,440
Maintenance......................... 440
Shifting............................. 297
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink) ........................... 162
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 21
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 21
INDEX 513
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