2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE trailer

NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............137
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............137
mElectronic Brake Control System............138
NABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............138
NTCS (Traction Control System)............139
NBAS (Brake Assist System)...............140
NERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)..........141
NESP (Electronic Stability Program).........142
NTSC (Trailer Sway Control)..............146
NHSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models With
NV245 Two±Speed Transfer Case Only)......147
NHDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models
With NV245 Two±Speed Transfer Case Only) . . 149NESP/BAS Warning Lamp And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light.......................151
mRear Park Assist SystemÐ If Equipped.......152
NRear Park Assist Sensors................152
NRear Park Assist Warning Display.........153
NEnable/Disable The Rear Park Assist System . . 155
NService The Rear Park Assist System........155
NCleaning The Rear Park Assist System......156
mRear Camera Ð If Equipped...............156
NTurning The Rear Camera On............156
NTurning The Rear Camera Off............157
mOverhead Console......................157
NCourtesy/Reading Lights................158
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Using Speed Control On Hills
The automatic transmission may downshift on hills to
maintain the vehicle set speed.
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation), and
ESP (Electronic Stability Program). All five of these
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.Also, your vehicle is equipped with TSC (Trailer Sway
Control) and, if it has 4WD with the NV245 two-speed
transfer case, HSA (Hill Start Assist) and HDC (Hill
Descent Control).
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h), the
normal ESP stability function returns but TCS remains
off. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56
km/h), the ESP system shuts off. ESP is deactivated at
low vehicle speeds in 4WD low range so that it will not
interfere with off-road driving but ESP function returns
to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph
(64 km/h). The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9will always be
illuminated in 4WD low range when ESP is off.
NOTE:The ªESP OFFº message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the ªPº (Park) position from any other
position, and then moved out of the ªPº (Park) position.
This will occur even if the message was previously
clearedWARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The ªFull Offº mode is intended for off-
road use only.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer to
ªTrailer Towingº in Section 5 of this manual for more
information on towing a trailer with your vehicle. When
TSC is functioning, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the Partial Off or Full Off
modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models with NV245
Two±Speed Transfer Case Only)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²Vehicle must be stopped.
²Vehicle must be on a 8% grade or greater hill.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in R (Reverse) gear).
HSA will work in R (Reverse) and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in N (Neutral) or P (Park).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer,
when the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur. This could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
Towing with HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
WARNING!
²If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the hill while resuming accelera-
tion, manually activate the trailer brake prior to
releasing the brake pedal. Always remember the
driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
²HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the
vehicle on a hill without putting the transmission
in P (Park) and using the parking brake, it will
roll down the hill and could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object. Always remember to
use the parking brake while parking on a hill,
and that the driver is responsible for braking the
vehicle.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. If you decide to look under the hood your-
self, refer to Section 7 of this manual. Follow the
warnings under ªCooling System Pressure Cap.º
14. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Cen-
terº later in this section.
15. TOW/HAUL Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected. The TOW/
HAUL button is located in the center of the
instrument panel (below the climate controls).
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 193
4

Operating Tips
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it's rainy or humid. In most cases
turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the snowflake
button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control,
air direction and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarettesmoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
N (Neutral) and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
268 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NStarting............................343
NCruising Range.......................343
NReplacement Parts.....................343
mFuel Requirements (Diesel Engines)..........344
mAdding Fuel..........................345
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............346
mVehicle Loading........................348
NCertification Label.....................348
mTrailer Towing.........................351
NCommon Towing Definitions.............351
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............354NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................355
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............357
NTowing Requirements..................358
NTowing Tips.........................362
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 364
NTowing ± 2WD Models.................364
NTowing Ð Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed Transfer
Case) 4WD Models....................364
NTowing Ð Quadra±Trac II /Quadra±Drive II
4WD Models........................364
mSnow Plow...........................368
274 STARTING AND OPERATING