2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE warning light

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail
when you need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is not
there to protect you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to the steering
wheel hub trim cover or the upper right side of the instrument
panel. Do not modify the front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system.
The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
any advanced airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify an advanced airbag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
•Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the
right front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause
the Occupant Classification System to be unable to correctly classify
the right front occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal
airbag to inflate when it is not desired.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a collision. Do not mount
or locate any aftermarket equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag system yourself.
Be sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that it has an
airbag system.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
•Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time while driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an airbag deployment, your vehicle is
designed to record up to 2-seconds of specific vehicle
data parameters (see list below) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment. Please note
that such data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
and are otherwise unavailable. In conjunction with other
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

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.
•Do 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
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.
•Guard 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.
•Always 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.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR 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.
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

▫Turn Signals.........................116
▫High Beam Switch....................116
▫Passing Light........................116
▫Headlight Time Delay..................117

Windshield Wipers And Washers............117
▫Mist...............................118
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System . . . 118
▫Rain Sensing Wipers—If Equipped.........119

Tilt Steering Column....................120

Traction Control — If Equipped............121

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)— If
Equipped............................124

Rear Park Assist System— If Equipped.......127▫Rear Park Assist Sensors................128
▫Rear Park Assist Warning Display.........128
▫Enable/Disable The Rear Park Assist System . . 130
▫Service The Rear Park Assist System........130
▫Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System......131

Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped...........132

Electronic Speed Control..................134
▫To Activate..........................134
▫To Set At a Desired Speed...............134
▫To Deactivate........................134
▫To Resume Speed.....................135
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............135
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............135
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
3

Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All exterior mirrors are hinged and may be moved either
forward or rearward to resist damage. The hinges have
three detent positions; full forward, full rearward, and
normal.
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirrors
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other objects. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in the
right side mirror.
Heated Remote Control Mirrors — If Equipped
These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice. This
feature is activated whenever you turn on the rear
window defrost.
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lighting
The interior lighting consists of courtesy lights mounted
below the instrument panel, an overhead console light
assembly which contains both driver and passenger
reading lights, reading lights located above the rear
doors, and a rear cargo light. Opening a door or turning
the center of the multi-function control lever to the
extreme up position will activate all interior courtesy
lights.
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted in the overhead console. Each
light can be turned on by pressing the recessed area of the
lens. To turn these lights off, press the recessed area of the
lens a second time. There are also reading lights located
above the rear doors. Each light can be turned on by
pressing the front recessed area of the lens. To turn these
lights off, press the recessed area of the lens a second time.
Front Map/Reading Lights
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 111
3

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
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
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