2009 JEEP LIBERTY tow

•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in PARK.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR 4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires–General Information” in this section for infor-
mation on tire pressures and for proper tire inflation
procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
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Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires–General Infor-
mation” in this section for information on tread wear
indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” in this section for information on replacement
tires and for the proper tire replacement procedures.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capacity
will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
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WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in an
accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The “D” range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, you will
want to activate the TOW/HAUL feature. Refer to “Au-
tomatic Transmission” in this section for additional in-
formation.
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL feature while operating
the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will im-
prove performance and extend transmission life by re-
ducing excessive shifting and heat build up. This action
will also provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the automatic
transmission fluid and filter according to the interval specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer tow-
ing” in the “Maintenance Schedule” in this manual.
TOW/HAUL
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, press the TOW HAUL button when driving in hilly
areas or shift the transmission to Drive position “2” on
more severe grades. Refer to “Automatic Transmission”
in this section for additional information.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the driveshaft
is removed. Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL for
recreational towing. The NEUTRAL selection button is
located at the top of the 4WD Control Switch. Shifts into
and out of transfer case NEUTRAL can take place with
the selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•The transmission must be in PARK position for
recreational towing. Failure to follow these proce-
dures can cause severe transmission and/or trans-
fer case damage.
•Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
(Continued)
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CAUTION! (Continued)
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting into NEUTRAL” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL.
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front driveshaft and rear drive-
shaft from the powertrain and it will allow the
vehicle to move despite the transmission position.
The parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.
Shifting into NEUTRAL
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for recreational towing:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Turn OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
4. Press the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object to
press the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL button for
four seconds. After the shift is complete, and the NEU-
TRAL light turns on, release the NEUTRAL button.
7. Start the engine.
8. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
9. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the transmission in DRIVE.
11. Turn OFF the engine.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF posi-
tion.
13. Shift the transmission into PARK.
14. Attach the vehicle to a tow vehicle with a tow bar.
15. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
NOTE:Steps 1 through 5 are requirements for shifting
the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior
to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button or while
the shift attempt is in process, then the NEUTRAL
indicator light will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the NEUTRAL button is released.
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.
Flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light indicates
that shift requirements have not been met.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL and the engine RUNNING. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL, ensure that the engine is
OFF prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 394
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 394
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 395
▫ Jack Location ....................... 396
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 396 ▫
Spare Tire Removal ................... 396
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 397
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 398
 Jump-Starting ........................ 402
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 404
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