2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE automatic transmission

WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the
system OFF when you aren’t using it.
Driving Up or Down Hills
When going up or down hills, it is possible for your
vehicle to lose or gain speed, even though the Speed
Control is engaged. The automatic transmission may also
downshift to a lower gear, to maintain speed going up or
down hills. If going down a hill steep enough to cause the
vehicle to gain speed, press the brake pedal, which will
disengage the Speed Control and help slow your vehicle.
WARNING!
To help keep your vehicle under control, do not use
Speed Control under these conditions:
•When it is not possible to keep your vehicle at a set
speed.
•On slippery roads, such as on snow or ice.
•In heavy or varying traffic volume, in traffic that varies
in speed, or on winding roads.
•Be sure to turn the Speed Control switch to the OFF
position when not in use to avoid accidental engage-
ment.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
19. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
20. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a problem
is detected the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when
the vehicle has completely stopped and the gear selector
is placed in the P (Park) position. The light should turn
off. If the light remains lit with the engine running your
vehicle will usually be drivable, however, see your dealer
for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing. The light will come on when the ignition
is first turned on and remain on briefly as a bulb check.
If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Display U.S. or Metric?
Pressing the STEP button when in this display selects US
or Metric. The overhead console and instrument panel
displays will be in the selected units.
Auto Door Locks?
When this feature is selected, all doors and the liftgate
lock automatically when the speed of the vehicle reaches
15 mph (25 km/h). Pressing the STEP button when in this
display will select “Yes” or “No.”
Auto Unlock On Exit? (Available Only When the
AUTO DOOR LOCKS Feature is Turned On )
When this feature is selected all the vehicle’s doors will
unlock when the driver’s door is opened if the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) position. Pressing the STEP button when in this
display will select “Yes” or “No.”
Remote Unlock Driver’s Door 1st?
When this feature is selected only the driver’s door will
unlock on the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button and require a second press to unlock the
remaining locked doors and liftgate. WhenREMOTE
UNLOCK ALL DOORSis selected all of the doors and
the liftgate will unlock at the first press of the remote
keyless entry unlock button. Pressing the STEP button
when in this display will select DRIVER’S DOOR 1ST or
ALL DOORS.
Remote Linked To Memory? (Available with
Memory Seat Only)
When this feature is selected the memory seat, mirror,
and radio settings will return to the memory set position
when the remote keyless entry “Unlock” button is
pressed. If this feature is not selected then the memory
seat, mirror, and radio settings can only return to the
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................234
▫Normal Starting......................234
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F (–29°C) . . 235
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................235
▫After Starting........................236

Transmission Shifting....................236
▫5–Speed Automatic Transmission..........236
▫Gear Ranges.........................237
▫Rocking The Vehicle...................238
AutoStick............................239
▫AutoStick Operation...................240
▫AutoStick General Information............241

Parking Brake.........................241

Anti-Lock Brake System..................243

Power Steering........................246

Tire Safety Information...................247
▫Tire Markings........................247
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........251
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After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5–Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.Automatic Shift Controls
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should apply
the park brake, shift the transmission into P (Park),
and remove the key from the ignition. Once the key
is removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle.
R (Reverse)
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
N (Neutral)
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can roll
freely. Do not engage in N (Neutral) position while
driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
D (Drive)
The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The D (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions. For
additional shifting information, refer to “Autostick” later
in this section.
Rocking the Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between D (Drive) and R (Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

Autostick Operation
By placing the shift lever in the D (Drive) position the lever
can be moved from side to side. This allows the driver to
engage the AutoStick mode. Moving the shift lever to the
right (+) or the left (-) will engage the Autostick mode. In
normal driving mode (Boxed “D” displayed in the
PRNDL), moving the shift lever to the right (+) will engage
the Autostick mode putting the transmission in the cur-
rently engaged gear. Moving the shift lever to the Left (-)
will engage the Autostick mode and downshift the trans-
mission 1 gear. For example, the transmission is in Normal
Mode and is currently operating in 3rd gear, a boxed D is
displayed in the PRNDL, a push to the right will engage
the Autostick mode in 3rd and a Boxed 3 will be displayed
in the PRNDL. A push to the left (-) will engage Autostick
mode and downshift to 2nd gear and a Boxed 2 will be
displayed in the PRNDL. Once Autostick mode is engaged
a move to the Right (+) or left (-) will trigger a upshift (+)
or trigger a downshift (-).
NOTE:In the Autostick mode, the transmission will
only shift up and down when Left or Right (D-/D+) is
manually selected by the driver.
The transmission will not honor a downshift command if
the downshift would result in a engine overspeed condi-
tion. The transmission will always honor a upshift com-
mand from 1st to 2nd gear, however 2nd - 3rd, 3rd - 4th,
and 4th – 5th upshift commands will not be honored if
the vehicle speed is to low to maintain operation in the
commanded gear. The transmission will automatically
downshift as the vehicle slows to a stop.
When in the Autostick mode, as the engine RPM nears
the engine maximum speed, an “UPSHIFT” message will
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) portion of your instrument cluster. This message
appears in order to alert the driver that the engine speed
is approaching it’s maximum value and a upshift to the
next gear is required. In the event that the driver does not
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

upshift, the engine control system will limit the engine
speed to protect the engine. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center” in Section 4 of this manual.
Shifting into or out of the Autostick mode can be done at
any time without taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal. When the driver wishes to engage Autostick,
simply move the shift lever to the Left or Right (D-/D+)
position while in D (Drive).
Hold the shift lever to the right for at least one second to
disengage Autostick. The transmission will now operate
automatically; shifting between the five available gears.
Autostick General Information
•
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
•Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•Avoid using speed control when Autostick is engaged.
•The transmission will not automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autostick is
engaged.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light.
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
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