Jeep Liberty: Four-Wheel Drive Operation

Command-Trac II Transfer Case – If Equipped

Operating Information And Precautions

The Command-Trac II transfer case provides four positions:
• Two–wheel drive (2WD) high range
• Four-wheel drive (4WD LOCK) high range
• Four-wheel drive (4WD LOW) low range
• Neutral (N)

This transfer case is intended to be driven in the twowheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and highway conditions such as dry hard-surfaced roads.

When additional traction is required, select the transfer case 4WD LOCK position or 4WD LOW position. This position locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together and forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.

Use the transfer case NEUTRAL position for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.

CAUTION!
• Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front wheels or rear wheels are spinning. The MP1522 Command-Trac transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the speed of the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft must be equal for the shift to take place. Shifting while only the front wheels or rear wheels are spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.

• The 4WD LOCK position and 4WD LOW position are intended for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving in these positions on dry hardsurfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to the driveline components.

• When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD position or 4WD LOCK position at a given road speed. Take care not to over-speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

• Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case. Tire rotation schedule should be followed to balance tire wear.

WARNING!
• You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it 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.

• Always engage the parking brake when powering down the vehicle if the “SERV 4WD Warning Light” is illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.

• Since 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. You or others could be injured.

Shift Positions

The transfer case switch is located on the center console next to the shift lever.

Transfer Case Switch

2WD

Rear Wheel Drive High Range - This range is used for normal street and highway driving on dry hard-surfaced roads.

4WD Lock

Four-Wheel Drive High Range - This range locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose or slippery road surfaces only.

4WD Low

Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling power for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

N

Neutral - This range disengages both the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.

Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights

The four-wheel drive indicator lights (4WD and 4 LOW) are located in the instrument cluster. The NEUTRAL indicator light is located on the transfer case switch. If there is no indicator light on or flashing, the transfer case position is two-wheel drive (2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position (4WD LOCK, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been obtained.

If One Or More Shift Requirements Are Not Met:

• An indicator light will flash.

• The transfer case will not shift.

NOTE: The “SERV 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electric shift four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means that the four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that service is required.

Shifting Procedures

NOTE: If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position will remain on, and the newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash until all the requirements for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift, move the transfer case switch back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again.

2WD To 4WD Lock

Move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after moving the transfer case switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition switch must be in the ON position with the engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.

NOTE: The four-wheel drive system will not allow shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no traction). In this situation, the selected position indicator light will flash and the original position indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift.

There may be a delay up to 10 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have stopped spinning.

Delayed shifting out of 4WD LOCK may be experienced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or excessive loading.

4WD Lock To 4WD Low

When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental to the vehicle or its occupants.

Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) using the “Preferred Procedure” or completely stopped using the “Alternate Procedure.”

Preferred Procedure

1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).

2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

3. While still rolling, move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift the transmission into gear.

Alternate Procedure

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. With the ignition switch in the ON position, and the engine OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

3. Move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not flashing), shift the transmission into gear.

NOTE: Steps 1 and 2 in the “Preferred Procedure” and the “Alternate Procedure” are requirements for shifting the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior to attempting the shift or while the shift attempt is in process, then the indicator light will flash, and the current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry a shift, move the transfer case switch back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again.

The ignition switch must be in the ON 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 position, then the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.

Selec-Trac II Transfer Case – If Equipped

Operating Information And Precautions

The Selec-Trac II active on-demand transfer case provides four positions:
• Two-wheel drive (2WD) high range
• Four-wheel drive Auto (4WD AUTO) high range
• Neutral (N)
• Four-wheel drive (4WD LOW) low range

This transfer case is intended to be driven in either the two-wheel drive position (2WD) or the four-wheel drive Auto position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and highway conditions such as dry hard-surfaced roads.

For added capability when traversing steep grades, rough terrain, or extremely poor traction surfaces, select the transfer case 4WD LOW position. This position locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together and forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed while multiplying engine torque.

Use the transfer case NEUTRAL position for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.

CAUTION!
• The 4WD LOW position is intended for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving in this position on dry hard-surfaced roads may cause increased tire wea • When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD position or 4WD AUTO position at a given road speed. Take care not to over-speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

• Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case. Tire rotation schedule should be followed to balance tire wear.

WARNING!
• You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission position. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

• Always engage the parking brake when powering down the vehicle if the “SERV 4WD Warning Light” is illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.

• Since 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. You or others could be injured.

Shift Positions

The transfer case switch is located on the center console next to the shift lever.

Transfer Case Switch

2WD

Rear Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal street and highway driving on dry hard-surfaced roads.

4WD Auto

Four-Wheel Drive Auto High Range – This active ondemand range makes available optimum traction for a wide range of conditions, while maximizing driver convenience.

This position is always in four-wheel drive mode, with a normal 42% front axle, 58% rear axle torque split. The system also anticipates and prevents slip by redirecting torque as necessary, up to 100% to the front or rear axle, if needed.

4WD Low

Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range is for low speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling power for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

N

Neutral - This range disengages both the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.

Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights

The four-wheel drive indicator lights (4WD, 4 LOW) are located in the instrument cluster. The NEUTRAL indicator light is located on the transfer case switch. If there is no indicator light on or flashing, the transfer case position is two-wheel drive (2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position (4WD AUTO, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been obtained.

If One Or More Shift Requirements Are Not Met:

• An indicator light will flash.

• The transfer case will not shift.

NOTE: The “SERV 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electric shift four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means that the four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that service is required.

Shifting Procedures

NOTE: If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position will remain on, and the newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash until all the requirements for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift, move the transfer case switch back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again.

2WD To 4WD Auto

Move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

Shifts between 2WD and 4WD Auto can be done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition switch must be in the ON position with the engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.

2WD Or 4WD Auto To 4WD Low

When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental to the vehicle or its occupants.

Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) using the “Preferred Procedure” or completely stopped using the “Alternate Procedure.”

Preferred Procedure

1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).

2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

3. While still rolling, move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not flashing), shift the transmission into gear.

Alternate Procedure

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the engine OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

3. Move the transfer case switch to the desired position.

4. After the desired position indicator light is on (not flashing), shift the transmission into gear.

NOTE: Steps 1 and 2 in the “Preferred Procedure” and the “Alternate Procedure” are requirements for shifting the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior to attempting the shift or while the shift attempt is in process, then the indicator light will flash, and the current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry a shift, move the transfer case switch back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds, and try the shift again.

The ignition switch must be in the ON 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 position, the shift will not take place, and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.

On-Road Driving Tips

Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a narrower track to make them capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars.

An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.

They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily in off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover.