2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let
impurities into the fuel system.
WARNING!
²Remove the fuel cap slowly to prevent fuel spray
from the filler neck which may cause injury.
²The volatility of some gasoline may cause a
buildup of pressure in the fuel tank which may
increase while you drive. This pressure can result
in a spray of gasoline and/or vapors when the cap
is removed from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap
slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray.
²Never add fuel when the engine is running.
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the fuel cap is removed or the
tank filled.
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TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find information on limits to the
type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle.
And you will find safety tips. Before towing a trailer
carefully review this information to tow your load as
efficiently and safely as possible.
The factory-installed Class III and Class IV Trailer Tow
Packages include a frame mounted receptacle and the
above required equipment. They also include some nec-
essary provisions for connecting an aftermarket electric
brake controller. It is a light blue wire, identified with a
tag, located under the instrument panel behind the brake
pedal. Other equipment, such as trailer sway controls
and braking equipment, trailer equalizing (leveling)
equipment and low profile mirrors, may also be required
or strongly recommended.To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the appro-
priate ªMaintenance Schedule.º Refer to Section 8 of this
manual. When your vehicle is used for trailer towing,
never exceed the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) by the
addition of:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
²Be sure a trailer is loaded heavier in front, about 10%
to 15% of gross trailer weight. Loads balanced over the
wheels or heavier in the rear cause the trailer to sway
severelyside to side which will cause loss of control of
the vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier
in front is the cause of many trailer related accidents.
²Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
²Trailer brakes are required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
²Donotconnect a trailer lighting system directly to the
lighting system of your vehicle. Use an approved
trailer wiring harness. Failure to do so could damage
the vehicle electrical system and/or result in personal
injury.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer,do notover-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, body
structure or tires.
²Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel.
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²It is recommended thatanyhitches installed on your
vehicle be factory installed, or installed by a dealer
using factory approved parts. Factory approved parts
are specifically engineered with your vehicle's perfor-
mance in mind, including the possibility that it will be
involved in an accident. Other hitches may not have
been so engineered. Vehicle performance, including
vehicle damage in an accident situation, may therefore
be different.
²If trailer towing is required and your vehicle is not
equipped with a trailer tow package, the Mopart
accessory towing harnesses are the only approved
method to provide for trailer lights. These harnesses
are designed to provide current to the trailer lights but
bypass the module designed to monitor tail lights.
Refer to the package instructions for details.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual underway
towing condition. The best way to measure GTW is to put
your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire
weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
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Always load a trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the
front of the trailer. This places approximately 10% to 15%
of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. This portion
of the GTW becomes the tongue weight.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg)., i.e., trailer
weights heavier than 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg).
Cooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient conditions, take the following
actions:
²City Traffic
When stopped, put transmission in N (Neutral) and
increase engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
To reduce the potential for transmission overheating,
turn the ªOverdriveº off when pulling any trailer or shift
the transmission to Drive position 2 on more severe
grades. Move the shift lever to the next lower position to
eliminate excessive transmission shifting. This action will
also reduce the possibility of transmission overheating
and provide better engine braking.
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Minimum Vehicle Requirements for Trailer Towing
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NOTE:If you tow a trailer frequently, especially in hilly
country or when the outdoor temperature is high, we
recommend that you change the transmission fluid at
30,000 mile (48 000 km) intervals.
CAUTION!
When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded
vehicle use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent
spark knock. If spark knock persists, lighten the
load. Otherwise, engine piston damage may result.
Other restrictions apply concerning trailer type, trailer
frontal area and tongue weight. Carefully review the
ªMinimum Vehicle Requirementsº chart in this section
before towing a trailer.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be in the N (Neutral)
position, and the transmission must be in the P (Park)
position for recreational towing.(Recreational towing is
not available on Quadra-Trac I equipped vehicles.)
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Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral).4. Start engine.
5. Shift transmission into D (Drive).
6. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
7. Shut the engine OFF and place the ignition key into
the unlocked OFF position.
8. Shift transmission into P (Park).
9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11. Release parking brake.
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