2009 JEEP WRANGLER brake fluid

Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

11. Brake Warning LightThis light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Program (ESP) sys-
tem. In this case, the light will remain on until the
condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to
the brake booster, the ABS pump will run when applying
the brake and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during
each stop. The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive .... 287

Four–Wheel Drive Operation (Command-Trac I
Or Rock-Trac) — If Equipped
............. 291
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ....... 291
▫ Shift Positions ...................... 293
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 294
 Trac-Lok Rear Axle — If Equipped ........ 295
 Axle Lock (Tru–Lok) — Rubicon Models .... 296
 Rear Axle Lock (Four-Wheel Drive
Non-Rubicon Models) — If Equipped ........ 297
 Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect —
If Equipped .......................... 298
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 300
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 300 ▫
Side Step Removal — If Equipped ........ 300
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving .......... 301
▫ When To Use 4L (Low) Range ........... 302
▫ Simultaneous Brake And
Throttle Operation ................... 302
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 303
▫ Crossing Obstacles
(Rocks And Other High Points) .......... 304
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 307
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 309
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 312
 Power Steering ....................... 313
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 314
 Parking Brake ........................ 315
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

designated and approved. You should tread lightly and
avoid damage to the environment. You should know
your vehicle’s abilities and be able to recover it if
something goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a
vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested
water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls, do
not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested
water first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. Shift
into first gear (manual transmission), or DRIVE (auto-
matic transmission), with the transfer case in the 4L
(Low) position and proceed very slowly with a constant
slow speed {3 to 5 mph (5 to 8 km/h) maximum} and
light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to
accelerate through the crossing. After crossing any water
higher than the bottom of the axle differentials, you
should inspect all of the vehicle fluids for signs of water
ingestion.CAUTION!
•Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, trans-
fer case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you
drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water
can cause permanent damage to engine, driveline
or other vehicle components, and your brakes will
be less effective once wet and/or muddy.
•This vehicle is capable of crossing through water
at a depth of 30 inches (76 cm) at speeds no greater
than 5 mph (8 km/h). Water ingestion can occur
causing damage to your vehicle.
Before You Cross Any Type of Water
As you approach any type of water, you need to deter-
mine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If neces-
sary, get out and walk through the water or probe it with
a stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle,
current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, brake ro-
tors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent an accident. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 313

If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in Section 7 for the correct fluid type.
PARKING BRAKE
NOTE:This vehicle is not equipped with a self-
adjusting parking brake system. Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” in Section 8 for the proper maintenance
intervals.
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 instrument cluster “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.
Parking Brake
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 315

▫Brake System ....................... 421
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .... 423
▫ Hydraulic Clutch Fluid — Manual
Transmission ....................... 426
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ...... 426
▫ Transfer Case — If Equipped ............ 426
▫ Front/Rear Axle Fluid ................. 427
▫ Maintenance After Off-Road Driving ...... 428
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 428
 Fuses .............................. 436
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 436
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 442
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 443 
Bulb Replacement ..................... 444
▫ Headlamp ......................... 444
▫ Front Park/Turn Signal ................ 445
▫ Front Side Marker .................... 445
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 445
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, And Backup
Lamp ............................. 446
▫ Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) .......................... 446
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 447
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 448
▫ Engine ............................ 448
▫ Chassis ........................... 449
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 3.8L
1 — Integrated Power Module7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Battery 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 9 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Engine Oil Fill 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401