2009 JEEP COMMANDER Owners Manual

•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The ESP/TCS Indicator
Light also flashes when TCS is active. If the ESP/TCS
Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESP 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 ESP-
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.
The ESP system has three available operating modes in
4WD HIGH range, two available operating modes on
2WD vehicles, and one operating mode in 4WD LOW
range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 327
5

High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD HIGH
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD LOW range or NEUTRAL back to 4WD HIGH
range, the ESP system will be in this “On” mode. This
mode should be used for most driving situations. ESP
should only be turned to “Partial Off” or “Full Off” mode
for specific reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the ESP
OFF switch. When inPartial Offmode, the TCS portion
of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled and the ESP/TCS
Indicator Light will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESP function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravelconditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF switch. This
will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
ESP OFF Switch
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ESP OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle
is in motion.
Full Off (4WD Models Only)
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu-
verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by
depressing and holding the ESP OFF switch for five
seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is
running. After five seconds, the ESP/TCS Indicator Light
will illuminate, and the “ESP OFF” message will appear
in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in Section 4 of this manual for more information.In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the “limited slip”
feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At
40 mph (64 km/h), the system returns to “Partial Off”
mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESP system shuts off. ESP
is deactivated at low vehicle speeds so that it will not
interfere with off-road driving, but ESP function returns
to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph
(64 km/h). The ESP/TCS Indicator Light will always be
illuminated when ESP is off. To turn ESP on again,
momentarily depress the ESP OFF switch. This will
restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display, and the
audible chime will sound, when the shift lever is placed
in the PARK position from any other position, and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared.
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
5

WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The “Full Off” ESP mode is intended for
off-road use only.
4WD Low Range
Full Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD LOW
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW
range, or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD HIGH range or NEUTRAL to 4WD LOW range, the
ESP system will be in this “Full Off” mode. In 4WD LOW
range, ESP and TCS, except for the “limited slip” feature
described in the TCS section, are turned off until the
vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph(64 km/h), the normal ESP stability function returns but
TCS remains off. When the vehicle speed drops below
35 mph (56 km/h), the ESP system shuts off. ESP is
deactivated at low vehicle speeds in 4WD LOW range so
that it will not interfere with off-road driving but ESP
function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds
above 40 mph (64 km/h). The ESP/TCS Indicator Light
will always be illuminated in 4WD LOW range when ESP
is off.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display, and the
audible chime will sound, when the shift lever is placed
in the PARK position from any other position, and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared
330 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The “Full Off” mode is intended for off-
road use only.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers fromswaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in Section 5 of this manual. When
TSC is functioning, the ESP/TCS Indicator Light will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the “Partial Off” or “Full Off”
modes.WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
STARTING AND OPERATING 331
5

HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models With NV245
Two–Speed Transfer Case Only)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped.
•Vehicle must be on a 8% grade or greater hill.
•Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
HSA will work in REVERSE and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL or PARK.
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer,
when the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur. This could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing with HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the hill while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer brake prior to releas-
ing the brake pedal. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in
PARK and using the parking brake, it will roll
down the hill and could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object. Always remember to use
the parking brake while parking on a hill, and that
the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, it can be done
using the Customer Programmable Features in the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of
this manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

HDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models With
NV245 Two–Speed Transfer Case Only)
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descending hills
during off-road driving situations and is available in
4WD LOW range only. To enable HDC (transfer case
must be in 4WD LOW range), press the HDC switch. If
the HDC switch is pressed when the vehicle is not in
4WD LOW range, the light in the switch will flash for five
seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
When HDC is properly enabled, the message “HILL
DESCENT CONTROL” will appear in the EVIC and the
light in the switch will be illuminated. HDC will auto-
matically apply the brakes to control downhill speed
when necessary. HDC has the capability to sense terrain
Hill Descent Switch
334 STARTING AND OPERATING