2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

WARNING!
Tilting the steering wheel column while the vehicle
is moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering
column, you could lose control of the vehicle and
have an accident. Adjust the tilting mechanism only
while the vehicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked
before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System monitors the amount of
wheel spin in each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is
detected, the pressure to the brake system of the slipping
wheel(s) is modulated to provide enhanced acceleration.
The system operates at speeds typically encountered in
city traffic driving. 4WD models also include unique
logic in 4 HI or 4 LO (if equipped) to enhance off-road
capabilities.The “Traction Control Indicator Light,” located in the
instrument cluster, will flash when the Traction Control
System is active.
To turn the system OFF, press the switch, located below
the climate controls in the center stack, until the “Traction
Control Indicator Light” turns on and stays on. Also, a
Traction Control Indicator Light
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“TRACTION SYS DISABLED” message will be displayed
in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
Refer to Section 4 of this manual.
To turn the system back ON, press the switch a second
time, until the “Traction Control Indicator Light” turns
off.When the Traction Control System has been turned off
using the switch, a feature of the system remains active.
This feature functions similar to a limited slip differential
and controls the wheel spin across an axle. If one wheel
on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the system
will apply the brake of the spinning wheel and allow
more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not
spinning.
NOTE:
•The “Traction Control Indicator Light” comes on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
This will occur even if you used the switch to turn the
system OFF.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the Traction
Control System will be ON even if it was turned OFF
previously.
•The Traction Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is active.
Traction Control Switch
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

There are two Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages associated with the Traction Control
System. Refer to Section 4 of this manual.
Traction Sys Disabled
This message will be displayed if the Traction Control
System has been turned off using the switch, or if there is
a temporary condition that will will result in partial or no
Traction Control System function. The “Traction Control
Indicator Light” will be on when the system is disabled
or only partial function is allowed. The “TRACTION SYS
DISABLED” message and the “Traction Control Indicator
Light” being illuminated without the switch being de-
pressed is not an indication that service of the electronic
brake system is required.Service Elec Brake System
This message will be displayed if a condition exists that
may require servicing the electronic brake system. When
this message is displayed and the “Traction Control
Indicator Light” is on, there is a malfunction of the
Traction Control System. If the “SERVICE ELEC BRAKE
SYSTEM” message continues to be displayed after sev-
eral ignition cycles and the vehicle has been driven
several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h),
see your authorized dealer for service.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)— IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded. The
ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydroplan-
ing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESP-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) enhances directional
control and reduces driving wheel spin of the vehicle
under various driving conditions.ESP corrects for over/understeering of the vehicle by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel. Engine torque
is also limited. The “ESP Indicator Light,” located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose
traction and the ESP system becomes active.ESP Indicator Light
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To turn the ESP system OFF, press the switch, located
below the climate controls in the center stack, until the
ESP Indicator Lightin the instrument cluster turns on
and the messageESP SYSTEM DISABLEDappears in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer
to Section 4 of this manual. To turn the system back ON,
press the switch a second time until theESP Indicator
Lightturns off. ESP is always available during braking
(in 4WD Hi) even if it has been switched off.
When the ESP system has been switched off, a feature of
the system remains active. This feature functions similar
to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across an axle. If one wheel on an axle is spinning faster
ESP Control Switch
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3

than the other, the system will apply the brake of the
spinning wheel and allow more engine torque to be
applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
it may be desirable to switch off the ESP by pressing the
ESP switch.
With the ESP switched off, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are cancelled. Therefore, the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
If the “ESP Indicator Light” begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions. When the “ESP
Indicator Light” is illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off. To return to the enhanced vehicle stability
offered by ESP, press the ESP switch (the “ESP IndicatorLight” in the instrument cluster goes out). Avoid spin-
ning one drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to
the drive train.
NOTE:
•The “ESP Indicator Light” comes on momentarily each
time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active.
There are two Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages associated with the Electronic Stability
Control System. Refer to Section 4 of this manual.
ESP System Disabled
This message will be displayed if the ESP System has
been turned off using the switch, or if there is a tempo-
rary condition that will result in partial or no ESP
126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

function. The “ESP Indicator Light” will be on when the
system is disabled or only partial function is allowed. The
“ESP SYSTEM DISABLED” message and the “ESP Indi-
cator Light” being illuminated without the switch being
depressed is not an indication that service of the elec-
tronic brake system is required.
Also, the “ESP SYSTEM DISABLED” message will be
present when the vehicle is shifted into 4WD LOW.
Service Elec Brake System
This message will be displayed if a condition exists that
may require servicing the electronic brake system. When
this message is displayed and the “ESP Indicator Light”
is on, there is a malfunction of the ESP System. If the
“SERVICE ELEC BRAKE SYSTEM” message continues to
be displayed after several ignition cycles and the vehicle
has been driven several miles at speeds greater than 30
mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer for service.CAUTION!
The manufacturer recommends towing with all four
wheels off the ground. Acceptable methods are to
tow the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the
vehicle raised and the other end on a towing dolly.
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM— IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist System provides visual and audible
indications of the distance between the rear fascia and the
detected obstacle when backing up. Refer to the Warning
Section and Note Section for limitations of this system
and recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist System will remember the last
system state (enabled or disabled) from the last ignition
cycle when the ignition is changed to the RUN/ON
position.
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The Rear Park Assist System can be active only when the
shifter is in R (Reverse). If the Rear Park Assist System is
enabled at this shifter position, the system will be active
until the vehicle speed is increased to approximately 11.2
miles/hr (18 km/h) or above. The system will be active
again if the vehicle speed is decreased to speeds less than
approximately 9.94 miles/hr (16 km/h).
Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four Rear Park Assist Sensors, located in the rear
fascia, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is within
the sensors’ field of view. The monitored area seems oval
in shape.
The sensors can detect obstacles from approximately 11.8
inches (30 cm) up to 59 inches (150 cm) from the rear
fascia in the horizontal direction, depending on the
location and orientation of the obstacle and the type of
obstacle.
Rear Park Assist Warning Display
The Rear Park Assist Warning Display, located in the
headliner near the flipper glass, provides both visual and
audible warnings to indicate the distance between the
rear fascia and the detected obstacle.
Rear Park Assist Display
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE