2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE brake

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 2-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.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
When To Use 4 LO (Low) Range
When off-road driving, shift to 4 LO for additional
traction in moving forward or descending a hill, for
low-speed pulling power or to improve handling and
control on slippery or difficult terrain. Also use 4 LO
range on the road in rain, ice, snow, mud or sand to get
heavy loads rolling, or whenever ªHighº range four-
wheel drive traction is insufficient.
In Snow, Mud and Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the transfer case to 4 LO if necessary. Don't
shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway.
Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction
will be lost.
Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because
engine braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
Hill Climbing
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4 LO. Use first
gear and 4 LO for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing
the compression braking of the engine and transmission
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to help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway byturning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will
provide fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4 LO range. Let the vehicle go slowly down the
hill with all four wheels turning against engine compres-
sion drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
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5

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.
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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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5

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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CAUTION!
Transmission damage may occur if the transmission
is shifted into P (Park) with the transfer case in N
(Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer
case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF
prior to shifting the transmission into P (Park) (refer
to steps7±8above).
Shifting Out Of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
2. Shift transfer case lever to desired position.
3. Shift transmission into D (Drive).NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral),
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
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5

Tire Changing Procedure
Preparation
WARNING!
You can be injured or killed if you try to change a
wheel too close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
²Park on a firm, level surface well off the road to
provide ample work space. Put the transmission in P
(Park) and stop the engine. Set the parking brake
firmly and activate the hazard warning flasher.
Avoid jacking up the vehicle with occupants inside. If
the jack should fall, someone in the vehicle could be
hurt.
²Block the front and rear of the
diagonally opposite tire. For
example, if the right front tire
is being changed, block the
left rear wheel.
Instructions
1. Remove the spare tire from under the cargo floor, jack
and jack tools from under the left and right rear seat.
2. Loosen the lug nuts one-half turn counterclockwise.
3. Assemble the jack and jacking tools as shown. Connect
jack handle driver (A) to extension (B), then to the lug
wrench (C).
242 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES