2012 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid
gear clash.
9. Shift the transmission into PARK.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brake
pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally. 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 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) 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 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 431

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 434
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 434
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 435
▫ Jack Location ....................... 436
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 436
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 437
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 438
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 439
▫ Road Tire Installation ................. 443 
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 444
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 444
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 446
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 448
 Shift Lever Override ................... 449
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 450
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob ..... 452
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models .............. 452
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models .............. 454
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.
434 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 435

WARNING! (Continued)
•The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only. The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
Jack Location
The scissor-type jack and tire changing tools are located
in the cargo compartment behind a trim cover on the left
rear trim panel. The latch is located at the bottom of the
trim cover.
Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the
vehicle and is held in place by a cable winch mechanism.
Jack Storage Location
436 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Spare Tire Removal
Fit the jack handle extension over the drive nut located in
the rear cargo area inside the vehicle. Use the lug wrench
to rotate the nut counterclockwise until the spare is on
the ground with enough slack in the cable to allow you to
pull the tire out from under the vehicle.CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or
other power tools is not recommended and they can
damage the winch.
When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the
cable, and pull it through the center of the wheel.
NOTE: Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” under “Tires-
General Information” in “Starting And Operating” for
information about the compact spare tire, its use, and
operation.
Lowering/Raising Spare Tire
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 437

Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or slippery
areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake. 4. Place the shift lever into PARK (automatic transmis-
sion) or REVERSE (manual transmission).
5. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite of the jack-
ing position. For example, if changing
the right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
438 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES