Jeep 2012 Liberty User manual

Liberty
Chrysler Group LLC
OWNER’S MANUAL
2012 Liberty
12KK74-126-AA First Edition Printed in U.S.A.
2 0 1 2
907708_12_Jeep_Liberty_OM_cover.indd 1 3/3/11 1:17 PM

VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA
With respect to any Vehicles Sold in Canada, the name
Chrysler Group LLC shall be deemed to be deleted and the
name Chrysler Canada Inc. used in substitution therefore.
DRIVING AND ALCOHOL
Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes of
accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you are drink-
ing, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking driver,
call a cab, a friend, or use public transportation.
WARNING!
Driving after drinking can lead to an accident. Your
perceptions are less sharp, your reflexes are slower,
and your judgment is impaired when you have been
drinking. Never drink and then drive.
This manual illustrates and describes the operation of fea-
tures and equipment that are either standard or optional on
this vehicle. This manual may also include a description of
features and equipment that are no longer available or were
not ordered on this vehicle. Please disregard any features
and equipment described in this manual that are not on this
vehicle.
Chrysler Group LLC reserves the right to make changes in
design and specifications, and/or make additions to or
improvements to its products without imposing any obliga-
tion upon itself to install them on products previously manu-
factured.
Copyright © 2011 Chrysler Group LLC

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE ..............................9
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE ............................. 93
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ..................................219
5
STARTING AND OPERATING ................................................315
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES ............................................. 433
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE ..............................................455
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES .................................................505
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE ........................................ 523
10
INDEX ...................................................................533
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
䡵Introduction ........................... 4
䡵Rollover Warning ....................... 4
䡵How To Use This Manual .................. 5
䡵Warnings And Cautions ................... 7
䡵Vehicle Identification Number .............. 7
䡵Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ............ 8
1

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by Warranty Information, and various
customer-oriented documents. Please take the time to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for convenient referenc-
ing and remain with the vehicle when sold.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained tech-
nicians and genuine MOPAR威parts, and cares about
your satisfaction.
ROLLOVER WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many
passenger cars. It is capable of performing better in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Driven in an unsafe
manner, all vehicles can go out of control. Because of the
higher center of gravity, if this vehicle is out of control it
may roll over when some other vehicles may not.
Do not attempt sharp turns, abrupt maneuvers, or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in a collision, rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully.
4 INTRODUCTION

Failure to use the driver and passenger seat belts pro-
vided is a major cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the
U.S. government notes that the universal use of existing
seat belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or
more each year and could reduce disabling injuries by
two million annually. In a rollover crash, an unbelted
person is significantly more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. Always buckle up.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
Since the specification of your vehicle depends on the
items of equipment ordered, certain descriptions and
illustrations may differ from your vehicle’s equipment.
The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual:
Rollover Warning Label
1
INTRODUCTION 5

6 INTRODUCTION

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual contains WARNINGS against op-
erating procedures that could result in a collision or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONS against proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on the
left front corner of the instrument panel. The VIN is
visible from outside of the vehicle through the wind-
shield. This number also is stamped into the right front
door sill (under the molding) and appears on the Auto-
mobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a window
on your vehicle, the vehicle registration, and the title.
Vehicle Identification Number
1
INTRODUCTION 7

NOTE: It is illegal to remove or alter the VIN.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could
seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety and
may lead to an accident resulting in serious injury or
death.
Stamped VIN Location
8 INTRODUCTION

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
䡵A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫Ignition Key Removal .................. 12
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder ............... 14
䡵Sentry Key威.......................... 14
▫Replacement Keys ..................... 16
▫Customer Key Programming ............. 16
▫General Information ................... 17
䡵Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 18
▫Rearming Of The System ................ 18
▫To Arm The System ................... 18
▫To Disarm The System ................. 19
䡵Illuminated Entry ...................... 20
䡵Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) .............. 20
▫To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate ......... 21
▫To Lock The Doors And Liftgate .......... 22
▫To Unlatch The Liftgate Flipper Glass ....... 24
▫Using The Panic Alarm ................. 24
▫Programming Additional Transmitters ...... 25
2

▫Battery Replacement ................... 25
▫General Information ................... 26
䡵Remote Starting System — If Equipped ....... 27
▫How To Use Remote Start ............... 27
䡵Door Locks ........................... 30
▫Manual Door Locks ................... 30
▫Power Door Locks .................... 31
▫Child-Protection Door Lock System — Rear
Doors ............................. 33
䡵Windows ............................ 35
▫Power Windows ...................... 35
▫Wind Buffeting ....................... 39
䡵Liftgate ............................. 40
▫Liftgate Flipper Glass .................. 40
䡵Occupant Restraints ..................... 42
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts .................... 45
▫Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure .... 50
▫Seat Belt Lock Out .................... 51
▫Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions ..... 51
▫Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) —
If Equipped ......................... 51
▫Energy Management Feature ............. 52
▫Seat Belt Pretensioner .................. 53
▫Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) . . 53
▫Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert威) ......................... 57
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women .......... 58
▫Seat Belt Extender ..................... 58
▫Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air
Bags .............................. 59
▫Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 65
▫Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............. 77
▫Child Restraints ...................... 78
䡵Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 88
䡵Safety Tips ........................... 88
▫Transporting Passengers ................ 88
▫Exhaust Gas ......................... 89
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ............................. 90
▫Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ................... 92
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
You can insert the double-sided keys into the locks with
either side up.
The authorized dealer that sold you your new vehicle has
the key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These
numbers can be used to order duplicate keys from your
authorized dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these
numbers and keep them in a safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the key to the ACC
position and then push the key and cylinder inward
slightly and rotate the key to the LOCK position. Then
remove the key.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
• For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), features such as the power
window switches, radio, power sunroof or Sky Slider威
(if equipped), and power outlets will remain active for
45 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the
LOCK position. Opening either front door will cancel
this feature.
• For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, features such as
the power window switches, radio, power sunroof or
Sky Slider威(if equipped), and power outlets will
remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to the LOCK position. Opening either
front door will cancel this feature. The time for this
feature is programmable. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — START
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition, and lock
all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and the key is in the
ignition, a chime will sound to remind you to remove the
key.
NOTE: The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.
SENTRY KEY姞
The Sentry Key威Immobilizer System prevents unauthor-
ized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
NOTE: A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle Security Light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to try to start the engine.
Either of these conditions will result in the engine being
shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible by an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
The Sentry Key威Immobilizer system is not compat-
ible with some after-market remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key威is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keys威from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of keys. Du-
plication of keys may be performed at an authorized
dealer or by following the customer key programming
procedure. This procedure consists of programming a
blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank key is one
that has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key威Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid Sentry Keys威, you can program
new Sentry Keys威to the system by performing the
following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key威Transponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position for at least
three seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the
first key.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position within
15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash.
Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key威into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position within
60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound.
In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing.
To indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Key威is programmed. The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.
Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key威, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE:
If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tem’s memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an authorized
dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key威system complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors,
liftgate, and liftgate flipper glass for unauthorized entry
and ignition for unauthorized operation. While the Ve-
hicle Security Alarm is armed, interior switches for door
locks and flipper glass are disabled.
If something triggers the alarm, the Vehicle Security
Alarm will sound the horn intermittently, the headlights,
park lamps and/or turn signals and the Vehicle Security
Light in the instrument cluster will flash for three min-
utes. If the disturbance is still present (driver’s door,
passenger door, other doors, ignition) after three minutes,
the headlights, park lamps and/or turn signals will flash
for an additional 15 minutes.
NOTE: The Panic and Security alarms are quite differ-
ent. Please take a moment to activate the Panic and the
Security modes to hear the differences in the horn. In case
one should go off in the future, you will need to know
which mode has been activated in order to deactivate it.
Rearming Of The System
If something triggers the Vehicle Security Alarm, and no
action is taken to disarm it, the Vehicle Security Alarm
will turn off the horn after three minutes, turn off all of
the visual signals after 15 minutes, and then the Vehicle
Security Alarm will rearm itself.
To Arm The System
1. Remove the key from the ignition switch and exit the
vehicle.
2. Lock the doors and liftgate by pressing the power door
LOCK switch or the LOCK button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
NOTE: The Vehicle Security Alarm will not arm if you
lock the doors with the manual door lock plungers or the
driver’s door lock cylinder.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE