2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Mil

The defroster will automatically turn off after about ten
minutes. For about five more minutes of operation, push
the button again. To prevent excessive battery drain, use
the defroster only when the engine is operating. The push
button also activates the heated exterior mirrors, if so
equipped.CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear win-
dow to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a
soft cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping
parallel to the heating elements. Also, keep all
objects a safe distance from the window to prevent
damaging the heating elements.
172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
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Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission gets too
hot, the transmission will change the way it shifts to help
control the condition. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
D (Drive) position. If the transmission becomes hot
enough the O/D OFF indicator light and TRANS OVER
TEMP warning light in the instrument cluster may come
on. After the transmission cools down, it will return to
normal operation.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.NOTE:
²The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm (usu-
ally after 1±3 miles (1.6±4.8 km) of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into ªOverdriveº when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pressing the ªO/D
OFFº switch will show that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of ªOverdrive.º
²If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from P (Park) into any other gear
position.
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5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4LO
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
Quadra-Trac IITOperating
Instructions/Precautions Ð If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac IIttransfer case is fully automatic in the
normal driving 4 ALL TIME mode. The Quadra-Trac IIt
transfer case provides three mode positions Ð four wheel
drive high range, neutral, and four wheel drive low
range.
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4 ALL TIME
mode. The 4 ALL TIME mode transmits torque to the rear
axle during normal driving, similar to a rear wheel drive
vehicle. When speed difference is increased between the
front and rear driveshafts the majority of engine torque
can be transmitted to the front driveshaft.
When additional traction is required, the 4LO position
can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts togetherand force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. The 4LO position is intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4LO position on dry
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4LO, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 4 ALL TIME
position at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed
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 will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage 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.
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Quadra-DriveTSystem Ð If Equipped
The optional Quadra-DrivetSystem features three
torque transfer couplings. The couplings include Vari-
Lok front and rear axles and Quadra-Trac IIttransfer
case. The optional Vari-Lok axles are fully automatic and
require no driver input to operate. Under normal driving
conditions the units function as standard axles balancing
torque evenly between left and right wheels. With a
traction difference between left and right wheels the
coupling will sense a speed difference. As one wheel
begins to spin faster than the other, torque will automati-
cally transfer from the wheel that has less traction to the
wheel that has traction. While the transfer case and axle
couplings differ in design, their operation is similar.
Follow the Quadra-Trac IIttransfer case shifting infor-
mation, preceding this section, for shifting this system.
VARI-LOK FRONT AND REAR AXLES Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The optional Vari-Lok axle is fully automatic and requires
no driver input to operate. Under normal driving condi-
tions the unit functions as a standard axle balancing
torque evenly between left and right wheels. With a
traction difference between left and right wheels the
coupling will sense a speed difference. As one wheel
begins to spin faster than the other, torque will automati-
cally transfer from the wheel that has less traction to the
wheel that has traction.
PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the ªBrake Warning Lightº in the instru-
ment cluster will light.
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake rotors, wheels,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may
cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You
might not have full braking power when you need it
to prevent an accident. If you have been operating
your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes
checked and cleaned as necessary.
²If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
(....blank....(= Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT= Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T= Temporary Spare tire
31= Overall Diameter in Inches (in)
215= Section Width in Milimeters (mm)
65= Aspect Ratio in Percent (%)
ÐRatio of section height to section width of tire.
10.5= Section Width in Inches (in)
R= Construction Code
Ð9R9means Radial Construction.
Ð9D9means Diagonal or Bias Construction.
15= Rim Diameter in Inches (in)
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

The tire pressure should be checked and adjusted at least
once every month. Check more often if subject to a wide
range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Inflation pressures specified on the label are always
ªCold Inflation Pressure.º Cold inflation pressure is
defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has been idle
for at least 3 hours, or driven less than a mile after a 3
hour period. The cold inflation pressure must not exceed
the maximum values molded into the tire sidewall.
Tire pressures may increase from 13 to 40 kPa (2 to 6 psi)
[0.138 to 0.414 bar] during operation. DO NOT reduce
this normal pressure buildup.High Speed Operation
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under load is
dangerous. The added strain on your tires could
cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident.
Don't drive a vehicle loaded to maximum capacity at
continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, correct tire inflation pressure is very important.
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