2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

and between the two posts. Attach the tether strap hook
to the anchor loop. Install the child restraint according to
the manufacturer's instructions, and tighten the vehicle
seat belt. Remove the slack from the tether strap accord-
ing to the manufacturer's instructions.
Child restraints systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the top tether anchorage have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their older
products. Tether anchorage kits are also available for
most older vehicles.
NOTE:If your child restraint is not LATCH compatible,
install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation invehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.
Installing the Child Restraint System
There are LATCH anchorages at the two rear outboard
seating positions and tether strap anchorages above the
rear liftgate opening behind each rear outboard seat.
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector and a means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints and some
rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap with a hook and means for adjusting
the tension in the strap.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
and tether straps so that you can more easily attach the
hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages.
The tether strap should be routed under the center of the
head restraint and attached to the tether anchor above the
rear liftgate opening behind each rear outboard seat.
Then tighten all three straps as you push the child
restraint rearward and downward into the seat.
Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
²If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. If this doesn't
help, move the child to the center rear seating position
and use the lap belt. Never allow a child to put the
shoulder belt under an arm or behind their back.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it
replaced. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mMirrors...............................59
NInside Day/Night Mirror.................59
NInside Automatic Dimming Mirror Ð If
Equipped............................60
NExterior Mirrors Folding Feature...........61
NOutside Mirrors.......................61
NHeated Remote Control Mirrors Ð If
Equipped............................61
NPower Remote Control Outside Mirrors......61
NLighted Vanity Mirrors Ð If Equipped.......62mSeats.................................63
NFront Manual Seat Adjustment.............63
NFront Seat Adjustment Ð Recline...........63
NHead Restraints.......................64
NPower Seat Adjuster Ð If Equipped.........65
NMemory System Ð If Equipped............68
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped..............71
N60/40 Split Rear Seat....................71
mTo Open And Close The Hood..............74
3

mLights................................75
NInterior Lighting.......................75
NFront Map/Reading Lights...............75
NMulti-Function Control Lever..............76
NBattery Saver FeatureÐExterior/Interior
Lights..............................76
NHeadlights And Parking Lights............77
NAutomatic Headlight System Ð If Equipped . . .77
NInstrument Panel And Interior Lights........78
NDaytime Running Lights Ð Canada Only.....78
NLights-On Reminder....................78
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped................79
NTurn Signals..........................79NHeadlight Dimmer Switch................79
NPassing Light.........................79
NHeadlight Time Delay...................80
mWindshield Wipers And Washers.............80
NMist................................81
NSpeed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System....81
NRain Sensitive Wiper System Ð If Equipped . . .82
mTilt Steering Column.....................84
mAdjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped............84
mElectronic Speed Control...................86
NTo Activate...........................86
NTo Set At a Desired Speed................86
NTo Deactivate.........................86
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE