2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE trailer

either too high or too low. Examine the gages carefully,
and follow the instructions above for each indicated
problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
fuel gage, voltmeter, oil pressure, and temperature gages
will not show any readings. When the engine is not
running, turn the ignition switch to ON to obtain accu-
rate readings.
12. Part Time Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the PART TIME four±wheel drive mode, and
the front and rear driveshafts are mechanically
locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed.
13. Transmission Over Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that there is excessive transmis-
sion fluid temperature that might occur with severe
usage such as trailer towing or snow plowing. If this lightcomes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle or
faster, with the transmission in N (Neutral) until the light
goes off.
14. Temperature Gage
Indicates engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing within the normal range indicates that the
cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gage pointer will likely indicate a higher temperature
(above center scale) when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not
be allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
If the pointer rises to the 260É (Hot) mark, pull over and
stop the vehicle. Do not turn the engine off. Idle the
vehicle with the air conditioning turned off, until the
pointer drops back into the normal range.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4

NTire Spinning........................214
NTread Wear Indicators..................215
NReplacement Tires.....................215
NAlignment And Balance.................217
mTire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 217
NTire Pressure Monitor System Tire/Wheel
Rotation And Sensor Replacement Ð If
Equipped...........................218
NGeneral Information...................219
mTire Chains...........................220
mTire Rotation Recommendations............220
mFuel Requirements......................221
NReformulated Gasoline.................222
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............222NMMT In Gasoline.....................223
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................223
NMaterials Added To Fuel................224
mFuel Tank Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............224
mTrailer Towing.........................226
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............228
NCooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing.......229
NMinimum Vehicle Requirements For Trailer
Towing............................230
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 231
NShifting Into Neutral (N)................232
NShifting Out Of Neutral (N)..............233
mSnow Plow...........................234
STARTING AND OPERATING 175
5

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

Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400±750 (5 x 150) =
650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
5

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.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

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.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING