2009 JEEP COMMANDER radiator cap

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh antifreeze/coolant. Check
the front of the A/C condenser for any accumulation of
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 431
7

bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water
from a garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at
the coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System — Drain, Flush, And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty and contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
432 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F
(-37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap, unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in
the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If
engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents
of coolant recovery bottle must also be protected
against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
436 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be periodically inspected.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the brake system warning lamp indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” dot and a “MIN” dot. The fluid level must be
kept within these two dots. Do not add fluid above the
MAX mark, because leakage may occur at the cap.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437
7

Special Additives...................... 440
Torque Converter...................... 305
Autostick............................. 301
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet)...... 173
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 173
Battery............................... 425
Emergency Starting..................... 409
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 145
Belts, Seat.............................. 43
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 427
B-Pillar Location........................ 342
Brake Assist System...................... 324
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 323
Brake Fluid............................ 437
Brake System........................... 437
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................320,323
Fluid Check.......................... 437Master Cylinder....................... 437
Parking............................. 318
Warning Light........................ 191
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 297
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 73
Bulb Replacement.....................457,458
Calibration, Compass..................... 210
Camera, Rear........................... 160
Capacities, Fluid........................ 465
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 375
Power Steering........................ 317
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 434
Car Washes............................ 444
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............74,371
Cargo Area Features...................... 178
Cargo Compartment...................... 178
Luggage Carrier....................... 181
INDEX 497
10

Radiator Cap......................... 434
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........432,465
Courtesy Lights......................... 147
Cruise Light........................... 198
Cupholders............................ 176
Customer Assistance..................... 487
Data Recorder, Event...................... 62
Daytime Running Lights................... 143
Dealer Service.......................... 421
Defroster, Rear Window................... 181
Defroster, Windshield................75,273,279
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 418
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 146
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 441
Oil (Engine).......................... 422
Power Steering........................ 317
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 412Disarming, Theft System................... 21
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 424
Used Engine Fluids.................... 424
Door Locks............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 30
Door Opener, Garage..................... 162
Driving............................... 312
Off-Pavement......................... 313
Off-Road............................ 313
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™).... 267
E-85 Fuel............................. 372
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 86
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)...... 173
Electronic Brake Control System............. 323
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 323
Brake Assist System.................... 324
Electronic Roll Mitigation................ 325
INDEX 499
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