2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE trailer

12. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light
This light will turn on continuously when there
is a low tire pressure condition. The light will
also turn on if a problem exists with any tire
sensor. When a system fault is detected, the
indicator lamp will flash repetitively for ten seconds. The
flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the fault
condition is removed and reset. The light will remain on
or flashing until the tire pressure is properly set or the
problem with the sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes thetire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard. (See page 269 for more information.)
13. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
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▫Tire Pressure Monitoring — Premium System. . 271
▫General Information...................275

Tire Chains...........................275

Tire Rotation Recommendations............276

Fuel Requirements......................277
▫3.7/4.7L Engines (If Equipped)............277
▫5.7L Engines (If Equipped)...............277
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................278
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............278
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................279
▫Materials Added To Fuel................279
▫Fuel System Cautions..................279
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............280

Fuel Tank Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............281▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............282

Trailer Towing.........................283
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............285
▫Trailer Tow Wiring....................286
▫Cooling System Tips—Trailer Towing.......287
▫Trailer Classifications...................288
▫Trailer Towing Capability................289

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 290
▫Towing – 2WD Models.................290
▫Towing — Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed
Transfer Case) 4WD Models..............290
▫Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive II
4WD Models........................290

Snow Plow...........................293
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a downshift may occur. This is a normal part of the
overheat protection strategy when operating in the
“Tow/Haul” mode.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to the
most desirable gear if the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph
(56 km/h).
When To Use “TOW/HAUL” Mode — If Equipped
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in “TOW/HAUL” mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear and 4th will be enabled under steady
cruise conditions.The “TOW/HAUL” light will illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is desired,
the switch must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
Tow/Haul Button
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Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
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 “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
Tire and Loading Information
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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 “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
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 “XXX”
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. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 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).
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WARNING!
•Remove the fuel cap (gas cap) slowly to prevent
fuel spray from the filler neck which may cause
injury.
•The volatility of some gasoline may cause a
buildup of pressure in the fuel tank that may
increase while you drive. This pressure can result
in a spray of gasoline and/or vapors when the cap
is removed from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap
slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray.
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the fuel cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
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.
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 “Maintenance Schedule.” Refer to Section 8 of this
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
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manual. When your vehicle is used for trailer towing,
never exceed the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) by the
addition of:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
•Be 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 ofthe vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier
in front is the cause of many trailer related accidents.
•Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
•Trailer brakes are required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
•Donotconnect 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.
•When 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.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel.
•It 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.
•If trailer towing is required and your vehicle is not
equipped with a trailer tow package, the Mopar
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 under-
way 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.
Always load a trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the
front of the trailer. This places approximately 10% to 15%
of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. This portion
of the GTW becomes the tongue weight.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg)., i.e., trailer
weights heavier than 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg).
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