2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE battery

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

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

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

13. Have the aluminum road wheel and tire
repaired as soon as possible, properly secure
the spare tire with the special wing nut torqued
to 3.7 ft-lbs (5 N·m), reinstall the jack and tool
kit foam tray, and latch the rear load floor cover.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places provided.
Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or re-
placed immediately.
Road Tire Installation
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone
shaped end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly
tighten the lug nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the
jack, do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until
the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow
this warning may result in personal injury.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning
the jack handle counterclockwise.
4. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on
the wrench while at the end of the handle for
increased leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a
star pattern until each nut has been tightened
twice. The correct tightness of each lug nut is
110 ft/lbs (150 N·m). If in doubt about the
correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or
service station. 5. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut
torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all
lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel.
JUMP-STARTINGIf your vehicle has a discharged battery it can
be jump-started using a set of jumper cables
and a battery in another vehicle or by using a
portable battery booster pack. Jump-starting
can be dangerous if done improperly so please
follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster pack
follow the manufacturer’s operating instruc-
tions and precautions.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or
any other booster source with a system volt-
age greater than 12 Volts or damage to the
battery, starter motor, alternator or electrical
system may occur.
Stowed Spare
287

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

2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)
jumper cable to the positive (+)post of the
booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end (-)of the jumper
cable to the negative (-)post of the booster
battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)
jumper cable to the remote negative (-)post of
the vehicle with the discharged battery.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post
(-) of the discharged battery. The resulting
electrical spark could cause the battery to
explode and could result in personal injury.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the
booster battery, let the engine idle a few min-
utes, and then start the engine in the vehicle
with the discharged battery. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper
cables in the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative
(-)jumper cable
from the remote negative (-)post of the dis-
charged vehicle.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the
jumper cable from the negative (-)post of the
booster battery.
8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive
(+) jumper cable from the positive (+)post of
the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the
jumper cable from the remote positive (+)post
of the discharged vehicle.
10. Reinstall the protective cover over the re-
mote positive (+)battery post of the discharged
vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your
vehicle you should have the battery and charg-
ing system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the
vehicle power outlets draw power from the
vehicle’s battery, even when not in use (i.e.,
cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in
long enough, the vehicle’s battery will dis-
charge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLEIf the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand or
mud, it can often be moved by a rocking
motion. Move the shift lever rhythmically be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE while applying
slight pressure to the accelerator. In general,
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning
the wheels or racing the engine is most effec-
tive.
289

Towing ConditionWheels OFF the Ground 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONESee instructions in “Recreational Towing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to
prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow
bars and other equipment designed for the
purpose, following equipment manufacturer’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory.
Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bum-
pers or associated brackets. State and local
laws applying to vehicles under tow must be
observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, de-
frosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC
position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
(under Starting and Operating, Automatic
Transmission) for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of the PARK posi-
tion for towing.
CAUTION!
•
Do not attempt to use sling type equipment
when towing. When securing the vehicle to
a flat bed truck, do not attach to front or rear
suspension components. Damage to your
vehicle may result from improper towing.
• If the vehicle being towed requires steering,
the ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC
position, not in the LOCK/OFF position.
292