2009 JEEP COMMANDER windshield wipers

Lights.............................. 140
▫Multifunction Lever................... 140
▫Headlights And Parking Lights........... 140
▫Automatic Headlight System —
If Equipped......................... 141
▫Headlights On Automatically With
Wipers............................ 141
▫SmartBeams — If Equipped............. 141
▫Automatic Headlight Leveling — HID
Headlights Only..................... 142
▫Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped.... 143
▫Fog Lights — If Equipped.............. 143
▫Instrument Panel And Interior Lights...... 144▫Battery Saver Feature — Exterior/Interior
Lights............................. 145
▫Lights-On Reminder.................. 145
▫Turn Signals........................ 145
▫High Beam Switch.................... 146
▫Flash-To-Pass....................... 146
▫Headlight Time Delay................. 146
▫Interior Lights....................... 147
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights............... 147
Windshield Wipers And Washers........... 148
▫Mist.............................. 149
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent
Wiper System....................... 149
▫Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped....... 150
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

Automatic Headlight System — If Equipped
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the third
detent, or AUTO position, to activate the automatic
headlight system.
This system performs two functions. With the engine
running and the multifunction lever in the AUTO posi-
tion, the headlights will turn on and off based on the
surrounding light levels.
Headlights On Automatically With Wipers
If your vehicle is equipped with Automatic Headlights it
also has this customer-programmable feature. When
your headlights are in the AUTO position, and the engine
is running, they will automatically turn on when the
wiper system is on.
If your vehicle is equipped with a “Rain Sensitive Wiper
System,” and it is activated, the headlights will automati-
cally turn on after the wipers complete five wipe cycles
within approximately one minute, and they will turn offapproximately four minutes after the wipers completely
stop. Refer to “Windshield Wipers and Washers” in this
section for more information.
NOTE:When your headlights come on during the
daytime, the instrument panel lights will automatically
dim to the lower nighttime intensity. Refer to “Instru-
ment Panel and Interior Lights” below for setting the
instrument panel lights to full daytime intensity.
SmartBeams — If Equipped
The SmartBeam system provides increased forward light-
ing at night by automating high beam control through
the use of a digital camera mounted on the inside
rearview mirror. This camera detects vehicle specific light
and automatically switches from high beams to low
beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The front and rear wipers and washers are operated by a
switch in the right side control lever. Turn the end of the
control lever to select Low, High, or one of the five speed
sensitive intermittent windshield wiper speeds. Refer to
“Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System” in this
section. For information on the rear wiper and washer
refer to “Rear Window Features” in this section.
NOTE:Always remove any buildup of snow that pre-
vents the windshield wiper blades from returning to the
off position. If the windshield wiper switch is turned off
and the blades cannot return to the off position, damage
to the wiper motor may occur.
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To use the washer, pull the lever toward you and hold
while spray is desired. If the lever is pulled while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the lever is released, and then resume the intermit-
tent interval previously selected.
If the lever is pulled while in the off position, the wipers
will operate for several wipe cycles, then turn off.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with the defroster before and during
windshield washer use.
Mist
Use this feature when weather conditions make occa-
sional usage of the wipers necessary. Pull down and
release the control lever for a single wiping cycle.
Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System
Use one of the five intermittent wiper speeds when
weather conditions make a single wiping cycle, with a
variable pause between cycles, desirable. Turn the end of
the lever to one of the five delay positions for the desired
delay interval. The delay can be regulated from a maxi-
mum of approximately 18 seconds between cycles, to a
cycle every 1/2 second.
NOTE:The wiper delay times depend on vehicle speed.
If the vehicle is moving less than 10 mph (16 km/h),
delay times will be doubled.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped
This feature senses moisture on the windshield and
automatically activates the wipers for the driver. The
feature is especially useful for road splash or overspray
from the windshield washers of the vehicle ahead. Rotate
the end of the multifunction lever to one of five settings
to activate this feature.
The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted with the
multifunction lever. Wiper delay position 1 is the least
sensitive, and wiper delay position 5 is the most sensi-
tive. Setting 3 should be used for normal rain conditions.
Settings 1 and 2 can be used if the driver desires less
wiper sensitivity. Settings 4 and 5 can be used if the
driver desires more sensitivity. Place the wiper switch in
the OFF position when not using the system.
NOTE:
•The rain sensing feature will not operate when the
wiper switch is in the Low or High speed position.
•The rain sensing feature may not function properly when
ice, or dried salt water is present on the windshield.
•Use of Rain-Xor products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.
•A customer programmable feature in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) allows the Rain
Sense feature to be turned off. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — Customer-
Programmable Features” in Section 4 of this manual.
The rain sensing system has protection features for the
wiper blades and arms, and will not operate under the
following conditions:
•Low Ambient Temperature— When the ignition is
first turned ON, the rain sensing system will not
operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed
is greater than 0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside tem-
perature is greater than 32°F (0°C).
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Pull up on loop(s) and twist 90 degrees, so they are
perpendicular (straight up) to the slotted hole in tray.
5. Push loop(s) back down, so they are parallel to the top
of the tray.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
A switch on the right side of the steering column controls
operation of the rear wiper/washer function. Rotating
the center of the switch forward to the on position will
activate the wiper. The rear wiper operates in an inter-
mittent mode only. Rotating the center of the switch all
the way forward will turn on the wash function. The
wash pump will continue to operate as long as the button
is pressed. Upon release, the wipers will cycle two times
before returning to the set position.If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
OFF, the wiper will automatically return to the “Park”
position if power accessory delay is active. Power acces-
sory delay can be cancelled by opening the door; if this
happens, the rear wiper will stop at its current position
and will not go to “Park”.
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
180 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Headlamp Off Delay
When this feature is selected, the driver can choose to
have the headlights remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds
when exiting the vehicle. To make your selection, press
and release the FUNCTION SELECT button until “0,”
“30,” “60,” or “90” appears.
Automatic High Beams (Available with SmartBeam
Only)
When this feature is selected, the high beam headlights
will deactivate automatically under certain conditions. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
SELECT button until YES (Y) or NO (N) appears. Refer to
“Lights/SmartBeams — If Equipped” in Section 3 of this
manual for more information.
Headlights On with Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When YES (Y) is selected, and the headlight switch is in
the AUTO position, the headlights will turn on approxi-
mately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on. Theheadlights will also turn off when the wipers are turned
off if they were turned on by this feature. To make your
selection, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button until YES (Y) or NO (N) appears.
NOTE:Turning the headlights on during the daytime
causes the instrument panel lights to dim. To increase the
brightness, refer to “Lights” in Section 3 of this manual.
Rain Sensing Intermittent Wipers — If Equipped
When YES (Y) is selected, the system will automatically
activate the windshield wipers if it senses moisture on
the windshield. To make your selection, press and release
the FUNCTION SELECT button until YES (Y) or NO (N)
appears. When NO (N) is selected, the system reverts to
the standard intermittent wiper operation.
214 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner to remove accumulations of salt
or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to wipe frost or ice from the
windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Adding Washer Fluid
On vehicles equipped with a Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC), the low washer fluid level will be
indicated. When the sensor detects a low fluid level, the
windshield will light on the vehicle graphic outline and
the “WASHER FLUID LOW” message will be displayed.The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment, be sure to check the
fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with
windshield washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze).
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take some
washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel and wipe
clean the wiper blades, this will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
428 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE