2009 JEEP COMMANDER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedure..................... 292
▫Keyless Go (If Equipped)............... 292
▫Normal Starting..................... 293
▫Extremely Cold Weather (Below20°F Or
29°C)............................ 294
▫If Engine Fails To Start................. 295
▫After Starting....................... 296
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped......... 296Automatic Transmission................. 297
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 297
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override........................... 298
▫Five–Speed Automatic Transmission....... 299
▫Gear Ranges........................ 299
▫Rocking The Vehicle.................. 306
Four-Wheel Drive Operation.............. 307
▫Quadra-Trac IOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.... 307
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▫Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.... 307
▫Shift Positions....................... 309
▫Shifting Procedures................... 309
▫Quadra-Drive IISystem — If Equipped.... 312
On-Road Driving Tips.................. 312
Off-Road Driving Tips.................. 313
▫When To Use 4WD Low Range —
If Equipped......................... 313
▫Driving Through Water................ 313
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand......... 314
▫Hill Climbing....................... 314
▫Traction Downhill.................... 315
▫After Driving Off-Road................ 316Power Steering........................ 317
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 317
Parking Brake........................ 318
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 320
Multi-Displacement System (MDS) — 5.7L
Engine Only.......................... 323
Electronic Brake Control System........... 323
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)........... 323
▫TCS (Traction Control System)........... 324
▫BAS (Brake Assist System).............. 324
▫ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation).......... 325
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program)......... 326
▫TSC (Trailer Sway Control).............. 331
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models With
NV245 Two–Speed Transfer Case Only)..... 332
▫HDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models
With NV245 Two–Speed
Transfer Case Only)................... 334
▫ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light...................... 336
Tire Safety Information.................. 337
▫Tire Markings....................... 337
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 341
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 342
Tires — General Information.............. 346
▫Tire Pressure........................ 346
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 347▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 348
▫Radial-Ply Tires...................... 349
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped........ 349
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped......... 350
▫Tire Spinning....................... 351
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 352
▫Life Of Tire......................... 352
▫Replacement Tires.................... 353
Tire Chains.......................... 354
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 355
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 356
▫Base System........................ 359
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 361
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
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▫General Information................... 366
Fuel Requirements..................... 367
▫3.7/4.7L Engine (If Equipped)............ 367
▫5.7L Engine (If Equipped)............... 367
▫Reformulated Gasoline................. 368
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 368
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 369
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 369
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 370
▫Fuel System Cautions.................. 370
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 371
Flexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only) —
If Equipped........................... 372▫E-85 General Information............... 372
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)................... 373
▫Fuel Requirements.................... 373
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles...... 374
▫Starting........................... 374
▫Cruising Range...................... 374
▫Replacement Parts.................... 375
Adding Fuel......................... 375
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 375
Vehicle Loading....................... 378
▫Certification Label.................... 378
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing........................ 380
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 380
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 383
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 384
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight.............. 385
▫Towing Requirements................. 386
▫Towing Tips........................ 391Snow Plow.......................... 392
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 392
▫Towing – 2WD Models................. 392
▫Towing — Quadra-Trac I(Single-Speed
Transfer Case) 4WD Models............. 393
▫Towing — Quadra–Trac II/Quadra–Drive
II4WD Models..................... 393
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

STARTING PROCEDURE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
Keyless Go (If Equipped)
This function allows the driver to op-
erate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Keyless Go ignition key (FOBIK)
can be detected inside of the vehicle.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Removing and Re-Installing the Engine Start/Stop
Button
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be removed
from the receptacle to allow the vehicle ignition to be
controlled conventionally by inserting the FOBIK. The
button may be removed using the valet key from the
FOBIK as a thin tool. Insert the metal part of the valet key
under the chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position, and
gently pry the button loose.
To reinstall the button, position it with its lettering
oriented horizontal and readable. Gently insert the but-
ton into the receptacle by pressing on the center of the
button. If the button slips in easily, it has been installed
correctly. Press firmly on the center of the button to seat
the button into the receptacle.
The ENGINE START/STOP button should only be re-
moved or inserted with the ignition in the OFF position.
Keyless Go Functions — With Driver ’s Foot Off
The Brake Pedal (In PARK Position)
•
Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttononce (ACC
position)to activate the radio, wipers, and windows.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttontwice (ON
position)to start the engine.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttonthree times
(OFF position)to turn off the ignition switch.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
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To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. From any ignition state, press and hold the
brake pedal while pressing the ENGINE START/STOP
button. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds. If you wish to
stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine
starting, press the button again.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do notpress the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release the
ENGINE START/STOP button. If the shift lever is not in
PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held
for two seconds and the ignition state changes to ACCES-
SORY (ACC). Regardless if the ignition state changes to
ACCESSORY (ACC) or OFF, the engine is shut off.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING