2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE four wheel drive

If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to
come to a stop and immediately apply the
brakes. Restart the engine, and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required
to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a
hill always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.
Traction DownhillShift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four
wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated
braking can cause brake fade with loss of
braking control. Avoid repeated heavy braking
by downshifting the transmission whenever
possible.
After Driving Off-RoadOff-road operation puts more stress on your
vehicle than does most on-road driving. After
going off-road, it is always a good idea to
check for damage. That way you can get any
problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•
Completely inspect the underbody of your
vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steer-
ing, suspension, and exhaust system for
damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and
clean as required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness,
particularly on the chassis, drivetrain com-
ponents, steering, and suspension. Re-
tighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush.
These things could be a fire hazard. They
might hide damage to fuel lines, brake
hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller
shafts.
• After extended operation in mud, sand, wa-
ter, or similar dirty conditions, have the ra-
diator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake lin-
ings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned
as soon as possible.
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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
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WARNING!(Continued)
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the ignition and lock your
vehicle. Never leave children alone in a
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the shift lever.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, and do not leave Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disen-
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
lead to brake failure and a collision.
(Continued)WARNING!(Continued)
• Always fully apply the parking brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury. Also be certain to
leave the transmission in PARK. Failure to
do so may allow the vehicle to roll and
cause damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on with
the parking brake released, a brake system
malfunction is indicated. Have the brake sys-
tem serviced by an authorized dealer imme-
diately.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced
electronic brake control system that includes
the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Traction
Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System
(BAS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All five of
these systems work together to enhance ve-
hicle stability and control in various driving
conditions.
Also, your vehicle is equipped with Trailer Sway
Control (TSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Brake
Lock Differential (BLD), Ready Alert Braking,
Rain Brake Support and, if it has four-wheel
drive with the MP 3023 two-speed transfer
case, Hill Descent Control (HDC).
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining ve-
hicle control under adverse braking conditions.
The system controls hydraulic brake pressure
to prevent wheel lock-up and help avoid skid-
ding on slippery surfaces during braking.
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ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift
occurring during severe or evasive driving ma-
neuvers. It cannot prevent wheel lift due to
other factors such as road conditions, leaving
the roadway or striking objects or other ve-
hicles.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road
conditions and driving conditions, influence
the chance that wheel lift or rollover may
occur. ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or
rollovers, especially those that involve leaving
the roadway or striking objects or other ve-
hicles. The capabilities of an ERM-equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and
stability of the vehicle under various driving
conditions. ESC corrects for oversteering or
understeering of the vehicle by applying the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist incounteracting the oversteer or understeer con-
dition. Engine power may also be reduced to
help the vehicle maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine
the vehicle path intended by the driver and
compares it to the actual path of the vehicle.
When the actual path does not match the
intended path, ESC applies the brake of the
appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
oversteer or understeer condition.
•
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more
than appropriate for the steering wheel po-
sition.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less
than appropriate for the steering wheel po-
sition.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” located in the instrument cluster will start
to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when the TCS is active. If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” begins
to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as pos- sible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving
to the prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from act-
ing on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road condi-
tions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. The capabilities of an ESC
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
The ESC system has two available operating
modes in 4WD HIGH range, and one operating
mode in 4WD LOW range.
High Range (Four-Wheel Drive Models)
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in
4WD HIGH range. Whenever the vehicle is 247

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

Tire Inflation PressuresThe proper cold tire inflation pressure for pas-
senger cars is listed on either the face of the
driver’s door or the driver’s side “B” pillar. For
vehicles other than passenger cars, the cold
tire inflation pressures are listed on the driver’s
side “B” pillar, glove box door, or the Certifica-
tion Label.
The tire pressure should be checked and ad-
justed at least once every month. Check more
often if subject to a wide range of outdoor
temperatures, as tire pressures vary with tem-
perature changes.
Inflation pressures specified on the chart are
always “Cold Inflation Pressure.” Cold inflation
pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the
vehicle has been idle for at least three hours, or
driven less than a mile (1.6 km) after a three-
hour period. The cold inflation pressure must
not exceed the maximum values molded into
the tire sidewall.
Tire pressures may increase from 2 to 6 psi
(0.14 to 0.41 bar) [14 to 41 kPa] during opera-
tion. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure
buildup.High Speed OperationThe manufacturer advocates driving at safe
speeds within posted speed limits. Where
speed limits or conditions are such that the
vehicle can be driven at high speeds, correct
tire inflation pressure is very important.
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of
tires on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to
handle poorly. The instability could cause an
accident. Always use radial tires in sets of
four. Never combine them with other types of
tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable
only in the tread area because of sidewall
flexing. Consult your dealer for radial tire re-
pairs.
Limited-Use Spare – If EquippedThe limited-use spare tire is for temporary
emergency use on your vehicle. This tire is
identified by a limited-use spare tire warning label located on the limited-use spare tire and
wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of
your vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this
limited-use spare tire affects vehicle handling.
Since it is not the same tire, replace (or repair)
the original tire and reinstall on the vehicle at
the first opportunity.
WARNING!
The limited-use spare tires are for emergency
use only. Installation of this limited-use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire, do
not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Keep
inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure listed
on either your tire placard or limited-use spare
tire and wheel assembly. Replace (or repair)
the original tire at the first opportunity and
reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so
could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire SpinningWhen stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice condi-
tions, do not spin your vehicle’s wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h).
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CAUTION!(Continued)
• After inspecting or adjusting the tire pres-
sure always reinstall the valve stem cap.
This will prevent moisture and dirt from
entering the valve stem, which could dam-
age the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor.
NOTE:
• The TPMS is not intended to replace nor-
mal tire care and maintenance, or to pro-
vide warning of a tire failure or condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire
pressure gauge while adjusting your tire
pressure.
• Driving on a significantly under-inflated
tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure using an accurate tire gauge,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger the display of the “TPM
Telltale Light” and the “TIRE LOW PRES-
SURE” message.
• Seasonal temperature changes will affect
tire pressure, and the TPMS will monitor
the actual tire pressure in the tire.
Base SystemThe Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
wireless technology with wheel rim-mounted
electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of
the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings
to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:
It is particularly important, for you to regu-
larly check the tire pressure in all of your
tires, and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following compo-
nents:
•Receiver Module
• Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light A low spare tire will not cause the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” to illuminate, a warn-
ing message to appear, or the chime to sound.
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light” will illuminate in the instrument
cluster, a “TIRE LOW PRESSURE”
message will display in the instrument
cluster for 5 seconds, and an audible chime will
be activated, when one or more of the four
active road tire pressures are low. Should this
occur, you should stop as soon as possible,
check the inflation pressure of each tire on your
vehicle, and inflate each tire to the vehicle’s
recommended cold placard pressure value.
The system will automatically update and the
“Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
extinguish, once the updated tire pressures
have been received. The vehicle may need to
be driven for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(24 km/h) to receive this information.
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
flash on and off for 75 seconds, and remain on
solid when a system fault is detected. In addi-
tion, a “SERVICE TPM SYSTEM” message may
be displayed for approximately 5 seconds
when a system fault is detected, and a chime
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will sound. If the ignition switch is cycled, this
sequence will repeat, providing the system
fault still exists. The “Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light” will turn off when the fault condi-
tion no longer exists. A system fault can occur
by any of the following:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driv-
ing next to facilities emitting the same Radio
Frequencies as the TPM sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window
tinting that affects radio wave signals.
3. Lots of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM
sensors.
NOTE:
There is no tire pressure monitoring sensor
in the spare tire. The TPMS will not be able to
monitor the tire pressure. If you install the
spare tire, in place of a road tire, that has a
pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition switch cycle, a
chime will sound, a “TIRE LOW PRESSURE”message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster, and the “Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light” will turn ON. After driving the
vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(25 km/h), the “Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light” will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid. In
addition, a “SERVICE TPM SYSTEM” mes-
sage will be displayed. For each subsequent
ignition switch cycle, a chime will sound, a
“SERVICE TPM SYSTEM” message will be
displayed, and the “Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing Telltale Light” will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid. Once
you repair or replace the original road tire,
and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the
spare tire, the TPMS will update automati-
cally and the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Tell-
tale Light” will turn OFF, as long as no tire
pressure is below the low-pressure warning
limit in any of the four active road tires. The
vehicle may need to be driven for up to
20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order
for the TPMS to receive this information.Premium System – If EquippedThe Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
wireless technology with wheel rim-mounted
electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of
the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings
to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:
It is particularly important, for you to regu-
larly check the tire pressure in all of your
tires and to maintain the proper pressure.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) con-
sists of the following components:
•
Receiver Module
• Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
• Various Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Messages, which display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), and a
graphic displaying tire pressures
259