2009 JEEP LIBERTY ignition

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it
as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded three-wire extension cord.
•The engine block heater cord is found under the hood
clipped to the heater line on the left side of the engine.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5

Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain on, and the newly selected position indicator
light will continue to flash until all the requirements for
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift, move
the 4WD Control Switch back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD to 4WD Lock
Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after mov-
ing the 4WD Control Switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position with the engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be
completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.
NOTE:
The four-wheel drive system will not allow
shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels
are spinning (no traction). In this situation, the selected
position indicator light will flash and the original posi-
tion indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce
speed and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift.
There may be a delay up to 10 seconds for the shift to
complete after the wheels have stopped spinning.
Delayed shifting out of 4WD LOCK may be experienced
due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or excessive
loading.
4WD Lock to 4WD Low
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise
may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental
to the vehicle or its occupants
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) using the “Preferred Procedure” or
completely stopped using the “Alternate Procedure.”
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to
2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, move the 4WD Control Switch to
the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear.
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.2. With the ignition switch in the ON position, and the
engine OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL.
3. Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear.
NOTE:
Steps 1 and 2 in the “Preferred Procedure” and
the “Alternate Procedure” are requirements for shifting
the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior
to attempting the shift or while the shift attempt is in
process, then the indicator light will flash, and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry
a shift, move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again.
The ignition switch must be in the ON position for a shift
to take place and for the position indicator lights to be
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON position,
then the shift will not take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
MP3022 Selec-Trac IITransfer Case — If
Equipped
Operating Information and Precautions
The Selec-Trac II active on-demand transfer case pro-
vides four positions:
•Two-wheel drive (2WD) high range
•Four-wheel drive Auto (4WD AUTO) high range
•Neutral (N)
•Four-wheel drive (4WD) low range
This transfer case is intended to be driven in either the
two-wheel drive position (2WD) or the four-wheel drive
Auto position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and high-
way conditions such as dry hard-surfaced roads. For added capability when traversing steep grades,
rough terrain, or extremely poor traction surfaces, select
the transfer case 4WD LOW position. This position locks
the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together and
forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed while multiplying engine torque.
Use the transfer case NEUTRAL position for recreational
towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this
section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of
NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•The 4WD LOW position is intended for loose or
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in this posi-
tion on dry hard-surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to the driveline
components.
(Continued)
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain on, and the newly selected position indicator
light will continue to flash until all the requirements for
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift, move
the 4WD Control Switch back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD to 4WD Auto
Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD Auto can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is stopped,
the ignition switch must be in the ON position with the
engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be
completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position. 2WD or 4WD Auto to 4WD Low
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise
may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental
to the vehicle or its occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) using the “Preferred Procedure” or
completely stopped using the “Alternate Procedure.”
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to
2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, move the 4WD Control Switch to
the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the
engine OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL.
3. Move the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear.
NOTE:Steps 1 and 2 in the “Preferred Procedure” and
the “Alternate Procedure” are requirements for shifting
the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior
to attempting the shift or while the shift attempt is in
process, then the indicator light will flash, and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry
a shift, move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again. The ignition switch must be in the ON position for a shift
to take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON position,
the shift will not take place, and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a
narrower track to make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than
ordinary cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional two-wheel drive vehicles any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfacto-
rily in off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp
STARTING AND OPERATING 313
5

PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light. To release the parking brake, pull
up slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
NOTE:The “Brake Warning Light” indicates only that
the parking brake is applied. You must be sure the
parking brake is fully applied before leaving the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked, and
the shift lever is in the PARK position. When parking on
a hill, you should apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK. Otherwise, the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK.
Parking Brake
320 STARTING AND OPERATING