2012 JEEP LIBERTY traction control

Light” also flashes when the TCS is active. If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction 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 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent col-
lisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. The capabilities of an ESC equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user ’s
safety or the safety of others.
ESC Operating Modes
Depending upon model and mode of operation, the ESC
system has up to three operating modes: “ESC On”
“Partial Off,” and “Full Off.”
ESC On – Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles And Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles In 2WD And 4WD High Range
This is the normal operating mode for ESC when oper-
ating 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 ESC system will be in “ESC 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. ESC
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.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 ESC activation, which allows for more wheel
spin than what ESC normally allows.
The “ESC Off” button is located in the lower switch bank
below the climate control. To enter the “Partial Off”
mode, momentarily press the “ESC Off” button and the
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will illu-
minate. To turn the ESC on again, momentarily press the
ESC Offbutton and the ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” will turn off. This will restore the normal
“ESC On” mode of operation.
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 pressing the “ESC
Off” button. Once the situation requiring “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC 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 ESC stability features could inhibit
vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions.
The “ESC Off” button is located in the lower switch bank
below the climate control panel. To enter “Full Off”
mode, press and hold the “ESC Off” button for five
seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine
running. After five seconds, the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” will illuminate and an “ESC
OFF” message will appear in the odometer. Press and
release the trip odometer button located on the instru-
ment cluster to turn off this message.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 365

Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, 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.NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 367

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
a collision 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 a collision.(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 of the
rear tires with P225/75R16 or smaller tires.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
448 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 531

DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 477
Engine Oil ......................... 464
Door Locks ............................. 30
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 184
Driving ............................ 344,345
Off-Pavement ....................... 345
Off-Road .......................... 345
On Hills ........................... 345
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 345
When to Use Low Range ............... 345
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 101
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) ...... 202
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 202
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 355
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 356 Brake Assist System
................... 357
Electronic Roll Mitigation ............... 358
Traction Control System ................ 356
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ............. 358
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 173
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 363
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 239
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 434
Jacking ............................ 435
Jump Starting ....................... 444
Overheating ........................ 434
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 459
Engine ............................... 457
Air Cleaner ......................... 465
Block Heater ........................ 321
Break-In Recommendations .............. 88
Checking Oil Level ................... 462
Compartment ....................... 457
538 INDEX

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 366
Engine Temperature Warning............ 231
Exterior ............................ 92
Fog ......................... 161,227,500
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator . . 230,231,233,336,342
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 434
Headlight Switch ..................... 158
Headlights ...................... 158,499
Headlights On Reminder ............... 161
Headlights On With Wipers ..........160,170
High Beam ...................... 162,227
High Beam Indicator .................. 227
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 162
Hill Descent Control Indicator .........230,361
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................. 158,224
Lights On Reminder .................. 161
Low Fuel .......................... 224
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 226Oil Pressure
........................ 229
Park .............................. 158
Passing ............................ 162
Rear Servicing ....................... 501
Rear Tail ........................... 501
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 236
Service ......................... 498,499
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 226
Side Marker ........................ 500
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......224,389
Tow/Haul Indicator .................. 230
Traction Control ..................... 366
Transfer Case ..................... 336,342
Turn Signal .............. 92,158,162,500,501
Vanity Mirror ....................... 102
Voltage ............................ 228
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 224
Load Floor, Cargo ....................... 208
544 INDEX