2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE automatic transmission

excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/
HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are de-
layed, and the transmission will automatically
downshift (for engine braking) during steady
braking maneuvers.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate
in the instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/
HAUL mode has been activated. Pressing the
switch a second time restores normal opera-
tion. If the TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pressed each time the engine is
started.Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy
has been included in the automatic transmis-
sion on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically at calibrated
speeds. This may result in a slightly different
feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed
drops or during some accelerations, the clutch
automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•
The torque converter clutch will not en-
gage, and the transmission will not shift
into the top overdrive gear, until the trans-
mission fluid and engine coolant are
warm [usually after 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to
4.8 km) of driving]. Because top gear is
disabled, and engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch is not
engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting properly when cold.
This is normal. Using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) feature, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will
demonstrate that the transmission is able
to shift into and out of Overdrive. •
If the vehicle has not been driven for
several days, the first few seconds of
operation after shifting the transmission
into gear may seem sluggish. This is due
to the fluid partially draining from the
torque converter into the transmission.
This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The
torque converter will refill within five sec-
onds after starting the engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Quadra-Trac II Operating
Instructions/Precautions
The Quadra-Trac II transfer case is fully auto-
matic in the normal driving 4WD AUTO mode.
The Quadra-Trac II transfer case provides
three mode positions:
• 4WD HI
• NEUTRAL
• 4WD LOW
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4WD
HI mode.
TOW/HAUL Switch
231

Selec-Terrain™ consists of the following posi-
tions:
•Sport – Dry weather, on-road calibration.
Only available in 4WD High range. Perfor-
mance based tuning that provides a rear
wheel drive feel but with improved handling
and acceleration over a two-wheel drive ve-
hicle. The Electronic Stability Control will set
to allow more driver control of vehicle while
maintaining safe handling controls. The ve-
hicle will lower (if equipped with Air Suspen-
sion) to Aero Mode in High Range. 4WD Low
is not available in SPORT mode, if 4WD Low
is selected the Selec-Terrain™ will automati-
cally switch back to AUTO.
• Snow – Tuning set for additional stability in
inclement weather. Use on and off road on
loose traction surfaces such as snow. When
in Snow mode (depending on certain oper-
ating conditions), the transmission may use
second gear (rather than first gear) during
launches, to minimize wheel slippage. If equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to Normal Ride Height (NRH) if the
transfer case is in high range. The level will
change to Off-Road 1 if the transfer case is in
Low range.
• Auto – Fully automatic full time four-wheel
drive operation can be used on and off road.
Balances traction with seamless steering
feel to provide improved handling and accel-
eration over two-wheel drive vehicles. If
equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to NRH.
• Sand/Mud – Off road calibration for use on
low traction surfaces such as mud, sand, or
wet grass. Driveline is maximized for trac-
tion. Some binding may be felt on less for-
giving surfaces. The electronic brake con-
trols are set to limit traction control
management of throttle and wheel spin. If
equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to Off-Road 1. •
Rock – Off-road calibration only available in
4WD Low range. The vehicle is raised (if
equipped with Air Suspension) for improved
ground clearance. Traction based tuning
with improved steer-ability for use on high
traction off-road surfaces. Activate the Hill
Descent Control for steep downhill control.
Use for low speed obstacles such as large
rocks, deep ruts, etc. If equipped with air
suspension, the vehicle level will change to
Off-Road 2. If the Selec-Terrain™ switch is in
ROCK mode, and the transfer case is
switched from 4WD Low to 4WD High, the
Selec-Terrain™ system will return to AUTO.
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a mes-
sage will appear in the EVIC display. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
235

MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM
(MDS) (IF EQUIPPED) — 5.7L
ENGINE ONLY
This feature offers improved fuel economy by
shutting off four of the engine’s eight cylinders
during light load and cruise conditions. The
system is automatic with no driver inputs or
additional driving skills required.
NOTE:
The MDS system may take some time to
return to full functionality after a battery
disconnect.
PARKING BRAKEBefore leaving the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied and place the
shift lever in the PARK position.
The foot operated parking brake is located
below the lower left corner of the instrument
panel. To apply the park brake, firmly push the
park brake pedal fully. To release the parking
brake, press the park brake pedal a second
time and let your foot up as you feel the brake
disengage.When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switch in the ON position, the “Brake
Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake
Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed
is detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle. •
This light only shows that the parking
brake is applied. It does not show the
degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. Apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make
it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied
whenever the driver is not in the vehicle.WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
(Continued)
Parking Brake
244

WARNING!(Continued)
• HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the
vehicle on a hill without putting the trans-
mission in 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 park-
ing brake while parking on a hill, and that
the driver is responsible for braking the
vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, it can be
done using the Customer Programmable Fea-
tures in the Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
Ready Alert BrakingReady Alert Braking may reduce the time re-
quired to reach full braking during emergency
braking situations. It anticipates when an emer-
gency braking situation may occur by monitor-
ing how fast the throttle is released by the driver. When the throttle is released very
quickly, Ready Alert Braking applies a small
amount of brake pressure. This brake pressure
will not be noticed by the driver. The brake
system uses this brake pressure to allow a fast
brake response if the driver applies the brakes.
Rain Brake SupportRain Brake Support may improve braking per-
formance in wet conditions. It will periodically
apply a small amount of brake pressure to
remove any water buildup on the front brake
rotors. It only functions when the windshield
wipers are in the LO or HI mode, it does not
function in the intermittent mode. When Rain
Brake Support is active, there is no notification
to the driver and no driver interaction is re-
quired.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) —
Four-Wheel Drive Models With
MP3023 Two-Speed Transfer Case
Only
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descend-
ing hills during off-road driving situations and is
available in 4WD LOW range only. To enable
HDC, press the HDC switch or put the Selec-Terrain™ system in “ROCK” mode (“ROCK”
mode is only available in 4WD LOW range).
When HDC is enabled, the HDC icon will be
illuminated in the instrument cluster. HDC will
automatically apply the brakes to control down-
hill speed to the selected level when necessary
on grades greater than approximately 8%. It
will usually not activate on level ground.
The HDC speed may be adjusted by the driver
to suit the driving conditions. The speed corre-
sponds to the transmission gear selected.
HDC operation can be overridden with brake
application to slow the vehicle down below the
Hill Descent Switch
250

Towing TipsBefore setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing the trailer in an area
away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs while in
this range, the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped),
or a lower gear range, should be selected.
NOTE:
Using TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or se-
lecting a lower gear range (using the Elec-tronic Range Select (ERS) shift control)
while operating the vehicle under heavy op-
erating conditions, will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by re-
ducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
This action will also provide better engine
braking.
The transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the transmission fluid level before
towing (5.7L engine).
To avoid transmission overheating, when
towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at
low speeds (20 mph (32 km/h) or below),
holding your vehicle in first gear (using the
ERS shift control) is recommended (5.7L
Models Only).
274

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheel OFF the Ground Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONESee Instructions
•
Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with Quadra-Lift™ must be lowered to the “Park” (lowest) level, and have automatic leveling disabled, before tying
them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to “Quadra-Lift™ – If Equipped” in “Starting and Operating” for more infor-
mation. If the vehicle cannot be lowered to the “Park” level (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not
to the body). Failure to follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or loss of proper tie-down tension.
276

7. For vehicle equipped with Quadra-Liftrefer
to “Quadra-Lift — If Equipped” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information on disabling
automatic leveling.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings
to help prevent personal injury or damage to
your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far
from the edge of the roadway as possible
before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an
automatic transmission in PARK.
• Never start or run the engine with the
vehicle on a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it
is on a jack.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire
change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be ex-
tremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated,
are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking
on locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle. 1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and tools from
storage.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug
nuts by turning them to the left, one turn, while
the wheel is still on the ground.
3. Assemble the jack and jacking tools.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.Jack Warning Label
Jack and Tool Assembly
284

WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is
frozen. It could rupture or explode and cause
personal injury.
Preparations For Jump-StartThe battery in your vehicle is located under the
passenger’s front seat. There are remote loca-
tions located under the hood to assist in jump-
starting.
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan
whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is on. You can
be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as watch
bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact. You could be
seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn
your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen
gas which is flammable and explosive.
Keep open flames or sparks away from the
battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic
transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to
LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unneces-
sary electrical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over the re-
mote positive (+)battery post. Pull upward on
the cover to remove it. 4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the
battery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cables reach, set the parking brake and make
sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as
this could establish a ground connection and
personal injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in
personal injury or property damage due to
battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result
in damage to the charging system of the
booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper
cable to the remote positive (+)post of the
discharged vehicle.
Remote Battery Posts
1 — Remote Positive (+) Post
(covered with protective cap)
2 — Remote Negative (-) Post
288