INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting a JeepGrand Cherokee and
welcome to our worldwide family.
This is a specialized utility vehicle designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform
tasks for which conventional two-wheel drive vehicles
were not intended. However, on-road ride and handling
will have a different feel from what drivers experience
with other vehicles, so take time to become familiar with
your vehicle.
The two-wheel drive utility vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving
or use in other severe conditions suited to a four-wheel
drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read this manual. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls, particu-
larly those used for braking, steering and transmission
and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehiclehandles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road or
working the vehicle, don’t overload it or expect it to
overcome the laws of nature. Always observe federal,
state, provincial, and local laws wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident. Be sure to read “On-Road/Off-Road Driving
Tips” in Section 5 of this manual.
Roll Over Warning
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll over rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance, higher center of gravity, and narrower
track than many passenger cars. It is capable of perform-
ing better in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Driven in an unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to
go out of control. Because of the higher center of gravity
and the narrower track, if this vehicle is out of control it
may roll over when some other vehicles may not.
4 INTRODUCTION
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
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NOTE:Clean all four Rear Park Assist Sensors regularly,
taking care not to scratch or damage them. The sensors
must not be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or
debris. Failure to do so can result in the system not
working properly. The system might not detect an ob-
stacle behind the fascia or it could provide a false
indication that an obstacle is behind the fascia.
Assure objects are not within 11.8 inches (30 cm) from the
rear fascia while driving the vehicle. Failure to do so can
result in the system misinterpreting a close object as a
sensor problem, causing theSERVICE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEMmessage to be displayed in the instrument
cluster.Ultrasonic noise from airbrakes of nearby trucks, air
powered jackhammers and air powered shop tools, to
name a few, will cause the Rear Park Assist System to be
disabled until the ultrasonic noise is no longer present.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS — IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals
to move toward the driver to provide improved position
with the steering wheel. The adjustable pedal system is
designed to allow a greater range of driver comfort for
steering wheel tilt and seat position. The position of the
brake and accelerator pedals can be adjusted without
compromising safety or comfort in actuating the pedals.
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.....................230
▫Normal Starting......................230
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F (–29°C) . . 231
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................231
▫After Starting........................232
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........232
Transmission Shifting....................233
▫5–Speed Automatic Transmission..........233
▫Gear Ranges.........................234▫Rocking The Vehicle...................238
Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............239
▫Quadra-Trac IOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....239
▫Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....240
▫Shift Positions........................241
▫Shifting Procedures....................242
▫Quadra-DriveSystem — If Equipped......244
Parking Brake.........................244
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NOTE:The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Traction Control (if equipped) should be turned OFF
before attempting to rock the vehicle. Refer to Section 3 of
this manual.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector in N (Neutral) for at least one minute after every
five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Quadra-Trac IOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac Iis a single speed (HI range only)
transfer case which provides convenient full-time
4–wheel drive. No driver interaction is required. This
transfer case divides engine torque almost evenly with 48
percent of engine torque to the front axle and 52 percent
of engine torque to the rear axle. The Brake Traction
Control System (BTC), which combines standard ABS
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
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and Traction Control, provides resistance to any wheel
that is slipping to allow additional torque transfer to
wheels with traction.
NOTE:The Quadra-Trac Isystem is not appropriate
for conditions where LOW range is recommended. Refer
to “Off-Road Driving Tips” in this section.
Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac IItransfer case is fully automatic in the
normal driving 4 HI mode. The Quadra-Trac IItransfer
case provides three mode positions — four wheel drive
high range, neutral, and four wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4 HI mode.
This transfer case divides engine torque almost evenly
with 48 percent of engine torque to the front axle and 52
percent of engine torque to the rear axle. When speed
differences are increased between the front and rear driveshafts, the transfer case can transmit up to 100 percent of
available engine torque to the front or rear drive shafts.
When additional traction is required, the 4 LOW position
can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts together
and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. The 4 LOW position is intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4 LOW position on dry
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4 LOW, the engine speed
is approximately three times that of the 4 HI position at a
given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine
and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
Because four wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
4HI
Four Wheel Drive High Range — All roads surfaces such
as ice, snow, gravel, sand, and dry hard pavement.
N (Neutral)
Neutral — Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Sec-
tion 5 of this manual.
4 LOW
Four Wheel Drive Low Range — Low speed 4 wheel
drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts together.
Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
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and/or the flow rate is reduced. If you must cross
flowing water avoid depths in excess of 9 inches. The
flowing water can erode the streambed causing your
vehicle to sink into deeper water. Determine exit point(s)
that are downstream of your entry point to allow for
drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than 20 inches,
and reduce speed appropriately to minimize wave ef-
fects. Maximum speed in 20 inches of water is less than 5
mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine oil, transmission oil, axle,
transfer case) to assure the fluids have not been contami-
nated. Contaminated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance)
should be flushed/changed as soon as possible to pre-
vent component damage.Driving 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 4WD LOW if necessary.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in this section.
Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD LOW. Use
first gear and 4WD LOW for very steep hills.
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
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