2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owner handbook (in English)

Recreational Towing — Quadra–Trac
II/Quadra–Drive II Four-Wheel
Drive Models
The transfer case must be shifted into NEU-
TRAL (N) and the transmission must be placed
in PARK for recreational towing. The NEUTRAL
(N) selection button is adjacent to the transfer
case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with
the selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or
transfer case will occur if a front or rear
wheel lift is used when recreational towing.
• Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe dam-
age to the transfer case.
• The transmission must be placed in PARK
for recreational towing.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
• Before recreational towing, perform the
procedure outlined under “Shifting into
NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the trans-
fer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). Other-
wise, internal damage will result.
• Failure to follow these procedures can
cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on
tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face
bar will be damaged. Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in
the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully
engaging the parking brake. The transfer case
NEUTRAL (N) position disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain
and will allow the vehicle to move, even if the
transmission is in PARK. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N) before recreational towing to pre-
vent damage to internal parts.
277

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and
shift the transmission to PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go, re-
move the Keyless Enter-N-Go button and use
the key fob to complete this procedure. Refer to
“Starting Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-Go” in
“Starting and Operating” for further information.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN po-
sition, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object, press and hold the recessed transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds, until the light
behind the N symbol starts to blink, indicating
shift in progress. The light will stop blinking
(stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is
complete.8. After the shift is completed and the NEU-
TRAL (N) light stays on, release the NEUTRAL
(N) button.
9. Start the engine.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds
and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
12. Turn the engine OFF, then turn the ignition
switch back to the ON/RUN position without
starting the engine.
13. Firmly apply the parking brake.14. Shift the transmission into PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the
transmission is shifted into PARK with the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) and the engine
running. With the transfer case in NEUTRAL
(N) ensure that the engine is off prior to
shifting the transmission into PARK.
15. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using
a suitable tow bar.
16. Release the parking brake.
17. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and
secure it away from the negative battery post.
NOTE:
• Steps 1 through 6 are requirements that
must be met prior to pressing the NEU-
TRAL (N) button, and must continue to be
met until the four seconds elapse and the
shift has been completed. If any of these
requirements are not met prior to press-
ing the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no
longer met during the four second timer,
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
278

then the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will
flash continuously until all requirements
are met or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is
released.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON/
RUN position for a shift to take place and
for the position indicator lights to be op-
erable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take
place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indica-
tor light indicates that shift requirements
have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving
it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF
position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN po-
sition, but do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object, press and hold the recessed transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the
selector switch) for one second.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required
to avoid gear clash.
9. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns
off, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
10. After the NEUTRAL (N) button has been
released, the transfer case will shift to the
position indicated by the selector switch.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK.
12. Release the brake pedal.
13. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
14. Start the engine.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
279

15. Press and hold the brake pedal.
16. Release the parking brake.
17. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release
the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle
operates normally.
18. The Keyless Enter-N-Go button (if
equipped) may now be reinstalled if desired.
Refer to “Starting Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-
Go” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.NOTE:
•
Steps 1 through 7 are requirements that
must be met prior to pressing the NEU-
TRAL (N) button, and must continue to be
met until the shift has been completed. If
any of these requirements are not met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button
or are no longer met during the shift, the
NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash
continuously until all requirements are
met or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is
released. •
The ignition switch must be in the ON/
RUN position for a shift to take place and
for the position indicator lights to be op-
erable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take
place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indica-
tor light indicates that shift requirements
have not been met.
280

6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
•HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ................. 282
• IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .................. 282
• JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ................. 283
• Jack Location .......................... 283
• Spare Tire Stowage ....................... 283
• Preparations For Jacking ................... 283
• Jacking Instructions ...................... 284
• Road Tire Installation ...................... 287
• JUMP-STARTING .......................... 287
• Preparations For Jump-Start ................. 288
• Jump-Starting Procedure ................... 288
• FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ................... 289
• TOW EYES .............................. 290
• SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ..................... 290
• TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ................. 291
• Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob ............ 293
• Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles ................... 293
281

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERSThe Hazard Warning flasher switch is located
on the switch bank just above the climate
controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard
Warning flasher. When the switch is
activated, all directional turn signals will
flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a
second time to turn off the Hazard Warning
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it
should not be used when the vehicle is in
motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and it is creating a safety hazard for other
motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assis-
tance, the Hazard Warning flashers will con-
tinue to operate even though the ignition is
placed in the OFF position.
NOTE:
With extended use the Hazard Warning
flashers may wear down your battery.IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATSIn any of the following situations, you can
reduce the potential for overheating by taking
the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the
transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not in-
crease the engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow
down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it
off. The A/C system adds heat to the
engine cooling system and turning the
A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control
to maximum heat, the mode control to
floor and the blower control to high. This
allows the heater core to act as a supple-
ment to the radiator and aids in removing
heat from the engine cooling system.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads HOT (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 HOT (H), and
you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine
off immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from
your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming
from under the hood, do not open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never
try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
282

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side
of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull
far enough off the road to avoid the danger
of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is danger-
ous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and
fall on you. You could be crushed. Never
put any part of your body under a vehicle
that is on a jack. If you need to get under a
raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the
vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool
for changing tires only. The jack should not
be used to lift the vehicle for service pur-
poses. The vehicle should be jacked on a
firm level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery
areas.
Jack LocationThe scissor-type jack and tire changing tools
are located in rear cargo area, below the load
floor.
Spare Tire StowageThe spare tire is stowed under the load floor in
the rear cargo area and is secured to the body
with a special wing nut.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface.
Avoid ice or slippery surfaces.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of
the vehicle closest to moving traffic, pull far
enough off the road to avoid being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK.
5. Turn the ignition OFF. 6. Block both the front
and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite of
the jacking position. For
example, if changing
the right front tire, block
the left rear wheel.
NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jack Storage Location
283

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