2009 JEEP LIBERTY wheel

The “Hill Descent” button is located in the lower switch
bank below the climate control.
Enabling HDC
1. Shift the transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Refer to
“Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in this section for transfer
case operation information.2. Press the “Hill Descent” button. The “Hill Descent
Control Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will
turn on solid.
NOTE:
If the transfer case is not in 4WD LOW range,
the “Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
Disabling HDC
1. Press the “Hill Descent” button or shift the transfer
case out of 4WD LOW range. The “Hill Descent Control
Indicator” light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over-steering and under-steering the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path.
Hill Descent Button
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of over-steer or under-steer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
TheESP/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!
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

Depending upon model and mode of operation, the ESP
system has up to three operating modes: “ESP On”
“Partial Off,” and “Full Off.”
ESP On — Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles and Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles in 2WD and 4WD High Range
This is the normal operating mode for ESP when operat-
ing a two-wheel drive vehicle. It is also the normal mode
for operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in 2WD or 4WD
HIGH range. The ESP system will be in “ESP On” mode
whenever the vehicle is started or the transfer case (if
equipped) is shifted out of 4WD LOW range. This mode
should be used for most driving situations. ESP should
only be turned to “Partial Off” or “Full Off” for specific
reasons as noted. Refer to “Partial Off” and to “Full Off”
for additional information.Partial Off — Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles and
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles in 2WD and 4WD High
Range
The “Partial Off” mode is intended for driving in deep
snow, sand, or gravel. This mode raises the threshold for
TCS and ESP activation, which allows for more wheel
spin than what ESP normally allows.
The “ESP OFF” button is located in the lower switch bank
below the climate control. To enter the “Partial Off”
mode, momentarily depress the “ESP OFF” button and
the
ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will illuminate. To turn
the ESP on again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF
button and the ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will turn off.
This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or when starting off in deep snow,
sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the
“Partial Off” mode by momentarily depressing the “ESP
OFF” button. Once the situation requiring “Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily
depressing the “ESP OFF” button. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
Full Off — Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles in 4WD High
and 4WD Low Range
The “Full Off” mode is intended for off-highway and
off-road use when ESP stability features could inhibit
vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions.
The “ESP OFF” button is located in the lower switch bank
below the climate control panel. To enter “Full Off”
mode, depress and hold the “ESP OFF” button for five
seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine
running. After five seconds, the “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” will illuminate and an “ESP OFF” message will
appear in the odometer. Press and release the trip odom-
eter button located on the instrument cluster to turn off
this message.
ESP Off Button
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
5

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use only.
With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary use spare tires have limited
tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire damage or
failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 35 mph
(55 km/h) when you are stuck, and do not let anyone
near a spinning wheel no matter what the speed.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
1—WornTire
2—NewTireSTARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity than what was originally equipped on
your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index
could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have an accident.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains, or other traction aids that meet
SAE type “Class S” specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer. In addition, only install tire chains on
P225/75R16 or smaller tires.
STARTING AND OPERATING 353
5

CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires, or chains,
observe the following precautions:
•Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with
tires other than P225/75R16 or smaller tires. There
may not be adequate clearance for the chains and
you are risking structural or body damage to your
vehicle.
•Because of limited chain clearance between tires
and other suspension components, it is important
that only chains in good condition are used. Bro-
ken chains can cause serious vehicle damage. Stop
the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that could
suggest chain breakage. Remove the damaged
parts of the chain before further use.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Install chains on the rear wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about12
mile (0.8 km).
•Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h).
•Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
•Use on Rear Wheels only.
•Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
•Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on method of installation, operating speed, and
conditions for use. Always use the lower sug-
gested operating speed of the chain manufacturer
if different from the speed recommended by the
manufacturer.
354 STARTING AND OPERATING