2011 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

and reinstallation procedures, including flange orienta-
tion/alignment, use of thread-locking compound, proper
bolt torque specifications, etc.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground (while
the driveshaft is connected) will cause severe trans-
mission damage. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and
the transmission must be placed in PARK for recreational
towing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to
the transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the
selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
•Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
•The transmission must be placed in PARK for
recreational towing.
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting into NEUTRAL (N)” to
be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Failure to follow these procedures can cause se-
vere transmission and/or transfer case damage.
•Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 415

Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the
transmission to PARK.
2. Turn OFF the ignition.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case N (Neutral)
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

button (located above the selector switch) for four sec-
onds, until the light behind the N symbol starts to blink,
indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blinking
(stay on solid) when the shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
7. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light
comes on, release the NEUTRAL button.8. Start the engine.
9. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
10. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
11. Turn OFF the engine and leave the ignition switch in
the unlocked OFF position.
12. Firmly apply the parking brake.
13. Shift the transmission into PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine
is off prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.
Neutral Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417

14. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
15. Release the parking brake.
16. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button, and must
continue to be met until the four seconds elapse and
the shift has been completed. If any of these require-
ments are not met prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N)
button or are no longer met during the four second
timer, then the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash
continuously until all requirements are met or until the
NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicatorlights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con-
nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position (if
it has been moved or the engine has been started).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case N (Neutral)
button (located above the selector switch) for one second.9. After the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off, release
the N (Neutral) button.
10. After the N (Neutral) button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position indicated by the
selector switch.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral),
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK.
12. Release the brake pedal.
13. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
14. Start the engine.
15. Press and hold the brake pedal.
16. Release the parking brake.
Neutral Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419

17. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brake
pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 7 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (Neutral) button, and
must continue to be met until the shift has been
completed. If any of these requirements are not met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no
longer met during the shift, the NEUTRAL (N) indi-
cator light will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is
released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN 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/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 422
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 422
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 423
▫ Jack Location ....................... 424
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 424
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 425
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 426
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 426 
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 430
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 430
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 432
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 434
 Shift Lever Override ................... 435
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 436
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key FOB ..... 438
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models .............. 438
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models .............. 440
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
switch bank below the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating your engine by taking the
appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, put transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
422 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES