2009 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 291
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 291
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
–29°C) ............................ 291
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 292
▫ After Starting ....................... 293
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 293
 Automatic Transmission ................. 294
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System ..................... 295 ▫
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 295
▫ 4–Speed Automatic Transmission ......... 296
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation ............. 302
▫ MP1522 Command-Trac Transfer Case — If
Equipped .......................... 302
▫ MP3022 Selec-Trac II Transfer Case — If
Equipped .......................... 308
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 313
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Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 314
▫ When To Use 4WD Low Range .......... 314
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 314
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 315
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 316
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 317
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 317
 Power Steering ....................... 318
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 319
 Parking Brake ........................ 320
 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 321
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 324
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 324▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 325
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 325
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 326
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) —
If Equipped ........................ 327
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 328
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) —
If Equipped ........................ 331
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ........ 332
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light ...................... 336
 Tire Safety Information ................. 337
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 337
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 341
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 342
 Tires — General Information ............. 346
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 346
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 347
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 349
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 349
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped ....... 350
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 351
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 351
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 352
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 352
 Tire Chains .......................... 353
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 355
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 356
▫ Base System ........................ 358
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ......... 361
▫ General Information .................. 365
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 365
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 366
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 366
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 367
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 367
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 368
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 368
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 369
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
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Adding Fuel ......................... 370
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 370
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 371
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 371
▫ Certification Label ................... 371
 Trailer Towing ........................ 374
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 374
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 379
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 380 ▫
Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 382
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 383
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 388
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 389
▫ Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models ....... 389
▫ Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models ...... 389
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
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If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0 °F (-18 °C) are
expected to last for several days.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop. (Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING