2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE manual transmission

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting a JeeptGrand Cherokee SRT8
and welcome to our worldwide family.
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
shifting. Learn how your vehicle handles on different
road surfaces. Your driving skills will improve with
experience. Always observe federal, state, provincial, and
local laws wherever you drive.
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.
Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, roll over of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully.
4 INTRODUCTION

²A customer programmable feature in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) allows the Rain
Sense feature to be turned off. Refer to ªElectronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual.
The rain sensing system has protection features for the
wiper blades and arms, and will not operate under the
following conditions:²Low Ambient TemperatureÐ When the ignition is
first turned ON, the rain sensing system will not
operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed
is greater than 0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside tem-
perature is greater than 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Transmission in N (Neutral) PositionÐ When the
ignition is ON, and the transmission is in the N
(Neutral) position, the rain sensing system will not
operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed
is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or the shift lever is
moved out of the N (Neutral) position.
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
NOTE:The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Traction Control (if equipped) should be turned OFF
before attempting to rock the vehicle. Refer to ªElectronic
Brake Control Systemº in 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 everyfive 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 ªrockingº a stuck vehicle by moving between
ªFirstº and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
AUTOSTICK
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide the driver
with more control. Autostick allows the driver to increase
engine braking ability, control upshift and downshift
points, and enhance the driving experience. This system
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5

can also provide the driver with more control during
passing, city driving, mountain driving, trailer towing,
and many other situations.
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 ªDº
displayed in the PRNDL), moving the shift lever to the
right (+) will engage the Autostick mode putting the
transmission in the currently engaged gear. Moving the
shift lever to the Left (-) will engage the Autostick mode
and downshift the transmission 1 gear. For example, the
transmission is in Normal Mode and is currently operat-
ing 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 to2nd 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 allow a downshift if the
downshift would result in a engine overspeed condition.
The transmission will always allow a upshift from 1st to
2nd gear, however 2nd - 3rd, 3rd - 4th, and 4th ± 5th
upshifts will not be allowed if the vehicle speed is to low
to maintain operation in the selected gear. The transmis-
sion 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 ªUPSHIFTº message will
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

(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
upshift, the engine control system will limit the engine
speed to protect the engine. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle
Information Centerº 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
²
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autostick is engaged.
²The transmission will not automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autostick is
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
TransmissionGCWR (Gross Combined
Wt. Rating)Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note 1)
6.1L Automatic 8,800 lbs (3 992 kg) 40 Sq. Ft. (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
Note 1 ± The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire±
Safety Information Section in this manual.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
282 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º range
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule ªBº in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
7- Pin Connector
288 STARTING AND OPERATING