2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
Extreme Cold Weather (below ±20ÉF (±29ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.NOTE:To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank
the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15±
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold
Weatherº procedures should be repeated.
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5

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with
grounded, three wire extension cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.The engine block heater cord is located:
²6-cylinder engine Ð bundled and fastened to the
injector rail between injectors 1 and 2.
²V-8 engine Ð coiled and strapped to the transmission
filler tube.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The pointer on the selector indicates the transmission
gear range (selector is illuminated for night driving).
Start the engine with the selector lever in N (Neutral) or
P (Park) position.NOTE:When the ignition is in the ON position, the
brake pedal must be pressed to move the gearshift lever
out of P (Park).
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5

Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System (BTSI)
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the gearshift lever in
the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in an
unlocked position. To move the gear selector lever out of
the P (Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned
to the OFF, ON, or START position, the brake pedal and
the button on the front side of the shifter handle must be
depressed.
Electronically Controlled Five Speed Automatic
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a
couple hundred miles (kilometers).
Protect Mode - Electronically Controlled
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If an abnormal condition is detected, the
transmission's electronic controller will automatically
select direct gear (in the Drive position) or 2nd gear (in
the 2 or 1 position). This feature will allow the vehicle to
be driven to the dealer for service minimizing any
damage to the transmission. Some conditions that will
cause the transmission to use this alternate gear selection
are momentary and the transmission can be reset to the
normal shift program by performing the following:
²Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
²Turn the ignition key to the OFF position and then
restart the engine.
²Shift into the desire shift range and resume driving.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommend that you see your dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your dealer has the proper diag-
nostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur. If the transmission is cannot be reset, dealer service
is required.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from P (Park) or
N (Neutral) position into another gear range.
PÐPark
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, then place the selector in P
(Park) position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
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5

²When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to steering column or shifter could result.
RÐReverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NÐNeutral
Shift to N (Neutral) when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
Overdrive
For most city and highway driving. The transmis-
sion contains electronically controlled 4th and 5th
gears (Overdrives) and will automatically shift from D
(Drive) to 4th and 5th gears if the following conditions
are present:
²The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
²The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h).
²Transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs while using
overdrive, such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy load conditions (for example, in hilly terrain,
strong head winds, or trailer towing), turning off over-
drive will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
4th and 5th gears (Overdrive) can be locked out by
pressing the O/D OFF switch located on side of the
gearshift lever. The O/D OFF indicator light will illumi-
nate to show that the switch has been activated. When
the light is on, 4th and 5th gears (Overdrive) are locked
out. Pressing the switch a second time restores the
Overdrive function. The lockout feature is useful when
towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.The O/D OFF feature must be selected, if desired, each
time the engine is started.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in cold outside tempera-
tures, shifts into Overdrive may be delayed (4.7L engines
only). Normal Overdrive and shifting operation will
resume when the temperature of the transmission
STARTING AND OPERATING 183
5

reaches the appropriate temperature. Refer to the ªNoteº
under ªTorque Converter Clutchº later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the trans-
mission may downshift out of Overdrive or engage
overdrive at higher vehicle speeds (4.7L engines only)
until the transmission cools down. After cooldown, Over-
drive will resume normal operation.
2ÐSecond
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use
it also when climbing long grades, and for engine brak-
ing when descending moderately steep grades. To pre-
vent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 45 mph (72
km/h) in this range.
1ÐFirst
For driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at
low speeds (25 mph (40 km/h) or less) when going
downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the transmis-
sion.
184 STARTING AND OPERATING