WARNING!
12 years or younger, including a child in
a rear-facing child restraint.
• In a collision, an unrestrained child can
become a projectile inside the vehicle.
The force required to hold even an infant
on your lap could become so great that
you could not hold the child, no matter
how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured or killed. Any
child riding in your vehicle should be in
a proper restraint for the child’s size.
There are different sizes and types of re-
straints for children from newborn size to the
child almost large enough for an adult safety
belt. Children should ride rearward facing as
long as possible; this is the most protected
position for a child in the event of a crash.
Always check the child seat Owner’s Manual
to make sure you have the correct seat for
your child. Carefully read and follow all the
instructions and warnings in the child re-
straint Owner’s Manual and on all the labels
attached to the child restraint.In Europe, children restraint systems are de-
fined by regulation ECE-R44, which divides
them into five weight groups:
Restraint Group Weight Group
Group 0 up to 10 kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
Check the label of your child restraint. All
approved child restraints must include type-
approval data and the control mark on its
label. The label must be permanently se-
cured to the child restraint system. You
should not remove this label from the child
restraint.
WARNING!
Extreme Hazard! Do not place a rear-
facing child restraint in front of an active
air bag. Refer to visor mounted labels for
information. Deployment of the air bag in
an accident could cause fatal injuries to
the baby regardless of the severity of the
WARNING!
collision. It is advisable to always carry
children in a child restraint system on the
rear seat, which is the most protected
position in the event of a collision.
WARNING!
Should it be necessary to carry a child on
the passenger side front seat in a rear-
facing child restraint system, the passen-
ger side front airbag and side bag (for
versions/markets, where provided) must
be deactivated through the Setup menu.
Deactivation should be verified by check-
ing whether the warning light is switched
on in the instrument panel. The passenger
seat must also be positioned backward as
far as possible to avoid the child restraint
system from coming into contact with the
dashboard.
“Universal” Child Restraint Systems
• The figures in the following sections are
examples of each type of universal child
restraint system. Typical installations are
SAFETY
122
WARNING!
In a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of
your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They con-
tain carbon monoxide (CO), which is col-
orless and odorless. Breathing it can make
you unconscious and can eventually poi-
son you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garage
or in confined areas any longer than
needed to move your vehicle in or out of
the area.
WARNING!
• If you are required to drive with the
trunk/liftgate/rear doors open, make sure
that all windows are closed and the cli-
mate control BLOWER switch is set at
high speed. DO NOT use the recircula-
tion mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle
with the engine running, adjust your
heating or cooling controls to force out-
side air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide
entry into the vehicle body is a properly main-
tained engine exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of
the exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can
be detected inside the vehicle, or when the
underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged,
have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body ar-
eas for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose
connections could permit exhaust fumes to
seep into the passenger compartment. Inaddition, inspect the exhaust system each
time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically,
checking for cuts, frays, and loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immedi-
ately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision. Rear seat belt assemblies
must be replaced after a collision if they have
been damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding
seat belt or retractor condition, replace the
seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill turn on for
four to eight seconds as a bulb check when
the ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN.
If the light is either not on during starting,
137
stays on, or turns on while driving, have the
system inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible. After the bulb check, this
light will illuminate with a single chime when
a fault with the Air Bag System has been
detected. It will stay on until the fault is
removed. If the light comes on intermittently
or remains on while driving, have an autho-
rized dealer service the vehicle immediately.
Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in
“Safety” for further information.
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 an au-
thorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. Only use a floor mat that does not
interfere with the operation of the accelera-
tor, brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor
mat that is securely attached using the floormat fasteners so it cannot slip out of position
and interfere with the accelerator, brake or
clutch pedals or impair safe operation of your
vehicle in other ways.
WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded,
or stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle
control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
• ALWAYS securely attach
your floor
mat using the floor mat fasteners. DO
NOT install your floor mat upside down
or turn your floor mat over. Lightly pull to
confirm mat is secured using the floor
mat fasteners on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING
FLOOR MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any other floor mat.
NEVER install or stack an additional
floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit
your vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat
WARNING!
that cannot be properly attached and
secured to your vehicle. If a floor mat
needs to be replaced, only use a FCA
approved floor mat for the specific
make, model, and year of your vehicle.
• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on
the driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress
the accelerator, the brake, and the
clutch pedal (if present) to check for
interference. If your floor mat interferes
with the operation of any pedal, or is not
secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat
in your trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat
on the passenger’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall
or slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator,
brake, or clutch pedals and could cause
a loss of vehicle control.
SAFETY
138
WARNING!
• NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These ob-
jects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor
mat fasteners are secure to the vehicle
carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals then re-
install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat
WARNING!
has been properly installed and is se-
cured to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
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 objects lodged in the
tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks, and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for
tightness. Check the tires (including spare)
for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and lock-
ing.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid
leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or
if fuel, or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The
cause should be located and corrected imme-
diately.
139
ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECKthat your vehicle
is in PARK by looking for the "P" in the
instrument cluster display and on the shifter.
As an added precaution, always apply the
parking brake when exiting the vehicle.
Normal Starting — Diesel Engine
1. The gear selector must be in the NEU-
TRAL or PARK position before you can
start the engine.
2. Place the ignition in the ON position.
3. Watch for the “Wait To Start Light” in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further review. It will glow
for two to ten seconds or more, depending
on engine temperature. When the “Wait
To Start Light” goes out, the engine is
ready to start.
4. Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Cycle the
ignition to the START position and then
release it. The starter motor will continue
to run, and it will automatically disengage
when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengageautomatically in 25 seconds. If this oc-
curs, cycle the ignition to the LOCK posi-
tion, wait 25 to 30 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
NOTE:
The starter motor may run up to 30 sec-
onds in very cold conditions until the
engine is started. The starter can be dis-
engaged by cycling the ignition to the
OFF position, if required.
5. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for
approximately 30 seconds before driving.
This allows oil to circulate and lubricate
the turbocharger.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine
is cold. When starting a cold engine, bring the
engine up to operating speed slowly to allow
the oil pressure to stabilize as the engine
warms up.NOTE:
High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine
can result in excessive white smoke and poor
engine performance. No-load engine speeds
should be kept under 1,200 rpm during the
warm-up period, especially in cold, ambient
temperature conditions.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), oper-
ate the engine at moderate speeds for five
minutes before full loads are applied.
Diesel Engine Idling — In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient tempera-
tures below 0°F (-18°C). Long periods of
idling may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures can drop
so low that the fuel may not burn completely.
Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector
nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter
the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing
rapid wear to the engine.
145
For additional information on the appropriate
use of each transfer case mode position, see
the information below:
2H
Rear Wheel Drive High Range — This range is
for normal street and highway driving on dry,
hard surfaced roads.
4H
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range
maximizes torque to the front driveshaft,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed. This range provides addi-
tional traction for loose, slippery road sur-
faces only.
NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed 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
driveshafts from the powertrain, and will
WARNING!
allow the vehicle to roll, even if the auto-
matic transmission is in PARK. The park-
ing brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.
Neutral — This range disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the pow-
ertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range
provides low speed four-wheel drive. It maxi-
mizes torque to the front driveshaft, forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range provides additional trac-
tion and maximum pulling power for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed
25 mph (40 km/h).
The transfer case is intended to be driven in
the 2H position for normal street and highway
conditions, such as hard-surfaced roads.In the event that additional traction is re-
quired, the transfer case 4H and 4L positions
can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together, forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slip-
pery road surfaces only and not intended for
normal driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L
positions on hard-surfaced roads will cause
increased tire wear and damage to the drive-
line components. Refer to “Shifting Proce-
dures” in this section for further information
on shifting into 4H or 4L.
The instrument cluster alerts the driver that
the vehicle is in four-wheel drive, and the
front and rear driveshafts are locked together.
The light will illuminate when the transfer
case is shifted into the 4H position.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the en-
gine speed will be approximately three times
(four times for Rubicon models) that of the
2H or 4H positions at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine.
151
speed. This range provides additional trac-
tion and maximum pulling power for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed
25 mph (40 km/h).
This transfer case is designed to be driven in
the two-wheel drive position (2WD) or four-
wheel drive position (4WD AUTO) for normal
street and highway conditions on dry hard
surfaced roads. Driving the vehicle in 2WD
will have greater fuel economy benefits as the
front axle is not engaged in 2WD.
For variable driving conditions, the 4WD
AUTO mode can be used. In this mode, the
front axle is engaged, but the vehicle's power
is sent to the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive
will be automatically engaged when the ve-
hicle senses a loss of traction. Because the
front axle is engaged, this mode will result in
lower fuel economy than the 2WD mode.
In the event that additional traction is re-
quired, the transfer case 4H and 4L positions
can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together, forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slip-
pery road surfaces only and not intended fornormal driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L
positions on hard-surfaced roads will cause
increased tire wear and damage to the drive-
line components. Refer to “Shifting Proce-
dures” in this section for further information
on shifting into 4H or 4L.
The instrument cluster alerts the driver that
the vehicle is in four-wheel drive, and the
front and rear driveshafts are locked together.
The light will illuminate when the transfer
case is shifted into the 4H position.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the en-
gine speed will be approximately three times
(four times for Rubicon models) that of the
2H or 4H positions at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine.
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles
depends on tires of equal size, type, and
circumference on each wheel. Any difference
will adversely affect shifting and cause dam-
age to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved
traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe
turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster
than road conditions permit.Shifting Procedures
2H To 4H Auto Or 4H Auto To 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H Auto can be
made with the vehicle stopped or in motion.
The preferred shifting speed would be 0 to
45 mph (72 km/h). With the vehicle in mo-
tion, the transfer case will engage/disengage
faster if you momentarily release the accel-
erator pedal after completing the shift. Do
not accelerate while shifting the transfer
case. Apply a constant force when shifting
the transfer case lever.
2H/4H Auto To 4H Part Time Or 4H Part Time
To 2H/4H Auto
Shifting between 2H/4H AUTO to 4H PART
TIME can be made with the vehicle stopped
or in motion. The preferred shifting speed
would be 0 to 45 mph (72 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will
engage/disengage faster if you momentarily
release the accelerator pedal after complet-
ing the shift. Do not accelerate while shifting
the transfer case. Apply a constant force
when shifting the transfer case lever.
STARTING AND OPERATING
154
NOTE:
• Do not attempt to make a shift while only
the front or rear wheels are spinning. The
front and rear driveshaft speeds must be
equal for the shift to take place. Shifting
while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer
case.
• Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may
be experienced due to uneven tire wear, low
or uneven tire pressures, excessive vehicle
loading, or cold temperatures.
• Shifting effort will increase with speed, this
is normal.
During cold weather, you may experience
increased effort in shifting until the transfer
case fluid warms up. This is normal.
4H Part Time/4H Auto To 4L Or 4L To 4H Part
Time/4H Auto
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h), shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL (N). While the vehicle is coasting at
2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Donot pause with the transfer case in N (Neu-
tral). Once the shift is completed, place the
transmission into DRIVE.
NOTE:
Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped; however, diffi-
culty may occur due to the mating teeth not
being properly aligned. Several attempts may
be required for clutch teeth alignment and
shift completion to occur. The preferred
method is with the vehicle rolling at 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). Avoid attempting to
engage or disengage 4L with the vehicle mov-
ing faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
WARNING!
Failure to engage a transfer case position
completely can cause transfer case dam-
age or loss of power and vehicle control.
You could have a collision. Do not drive the
vehicle unless the transfer case is fully
engaged.
Trac-Lok Rear Axle — If Equipped
The Trac-Lok rear axle provides a constant
driving force to both rear wheels and reduces
wheel spin caused by the loss of traction at
one driving wheel. If traction differs between
the two rear wheels, the differential auto-
matically proportions the usable torque by
providing more torque to the wheel that has
traction.
Trac-Lok is especially helpful during slippery
driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a
slippery surface, a slight application of the
accelerator will supply maximum traction.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip
differential, never run the engine with one
rear wheel off the ground. The vehicle may
drive through the rear wheel remaining on
the ground and cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.
155