2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE maintenance

and the recommended maintenance intervals
for oil and filter changes are followed.
Materials Added To Engine OilsDo not add supplemental materials, other than
leak detection dyes, to the engine oil. Engine oil
is an engineered product, and its performance
may be impaired by supplemental additives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And
Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used
engine oil and oil filters from your vehicle. Used
oil and oil filters, indiscriminately discarded,
can present a problem to the environment.
Contact your local authorized dealer, service
station, or governmental agency for advice on
how and where used oil and oil filters can be
safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil FilterThe engine oil filter should be replaced with a
new filter at every oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
The manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow
type disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type
for replacement. The quality of replacementfilters varies considerably. Only high-quality
filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR
engine oil filters are high-
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner FilterRefer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses,
etc) can provide a measure of protection in
the case of engine backfire. Do not remove
the air induction system (air cleaner, hoses,
etc.) unless such removal is necessary for
repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one
is near the engine compartment before start-
ing the vehicle with the air induction system
(air cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to
do so can result in serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner
filters varies considerably. Only high quality
filters should be used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR
engine air cleaner filters are
a high quality filter and are recommended.
Maintenance-Free BatteryYour vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-
free battery. You will never have to add water,
nor is periodic maintenance required.
WARNING!
• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and
can burn or even blind you. Do not allow
battery fluid to contact your eyes, skin or
clothing. Do not lean over a battery when
attaching clamps. If acid splashes in eyes
or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive.
Keep flame or sparks away from the bat-
tery. Do not use a booster battery or any
other booster source with an output greater
than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to
touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash hands after handling.
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CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on
the battery that the positive cable is at-
tached to the positive post, and the nega-
tive cable is attached to the negative post.
Battery posts are marked (+) positive and
(-) negative and identified on the battery
case.
• If a “fast charger” is used while battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery
cables before connecting the charger to the
battery. Do not use a “fast charger” to
provide starting voltage.
Air Conditioner MaintenanceFor best possible performance, your air condi-
tioner should be checked and serviced by an
authorized dealer at the start of each warm
season. This service should include cleaning of
the condenser fins and a performance test.
Drive belt condition should also be checked at
this time.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air con-
ditioning system as the chemicals can dam-
age your air conditioning components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubri-
cants approved by the manufacturer for
your air conditioning system. Some unap-
proved refrigerants are flammable and can
explode, injuring you. Other unapproved
refrigerants or lubricants can cause the
system to fail, requiring costly repairs.
• The air conditioning system contains refrig-
erant under high pressure. To avoid risk of
personal injury or damage to the system,
adding refrigerant or any repair requiring
lines to be disconnected should be done by
an experienced repairman. NOTE:
Use only manufacturer approved A/C Sys-
tem Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Con-
ditioners, Compressor Oil, and Refrigerants.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydro-
fluorocarbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is
an ozone-saving product. However, the manu-
facturer recommends that air conditioning ser-
vice be performed by authorized dealers or
other service facilities using recovery and recy-
cling equipment.
Body LubricationLocks and all body pivot points, including such
items as seat tracks, door hinge pivot points
and rollers, liftgate, tailgate, sliding doors and
hood hinges, should be lubricated periodically
with a lithium based grease, such as MOPAR
Spray White Lube or equivalent to assure quiet,
easy operation and to protect against rust and
wear. Prior to the application of any lubricant,
the parts concerned should be wiped clean to
remove dust and grit; after lubricating excess
oil and grease should be removed. Particular
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4. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the
wiper blade holder at the end of the wiper arm,
and firmly press the wiper blade until it snaps
into place.
5. Lower the wiper blade and snap the pivot
cap into place.
Adding Washer FluidThe fluid reservoir for the windshield washers
and the rear window washer is shared. The fluid
reservoir is located in the engine compartment,
be sure to check the fluid level at regular
intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze).
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take
some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or
towel and wipe clean the wiper blades, this will
help blade performance. To prevent freeze-up
of your windshield washer system in cold
weather, select a solution or mixture that meets
or exceeds the temperature range of your cli-
mate. This rating information can be found on
most washer fluid containers.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer
solvents are flammable. They could ignite and
burn you. Care must be exercised when filling
or working around the washer solution.
Exhaust SystemThe best protection against carbon monoxide
entry into the vehicle body is a properly main-
tained engine exhaust system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the
exhaust system; or if the exhaust fumes can be
detected inside the vehicle; or when the under-
side or rear of the vehicle is damaged; have an
authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for
broken, damaged, deteriorated, or misposi-
tioned parts. Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the
passenger compartment. In addition, inspect
the exhaust system each time the vehicle is
raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you uncon-
scious and can eventually poison you. To
avoid breathing CO, refer to “Safety Tips/
Exhaust Gas” in “Things To Do Before Starting
Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
The catalytic converter requires the use of
unleaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will de-
stroy the effectiveness of the catalyst as an
emissions control device and may seriously
reduce engine performance and cause seri-
ous damage to the engine.
Under normal operating conditions, the cata-
lytic converter will not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine
properly tuned to assure proper catalyst opera-
tion and prevent possible catalyst damage.
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etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from
a garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tight-
ness of the connection at the coolant recovery
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system
for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating tempera-
ture (but not running), check the cooling sys-
tem pressure cap for proper vacuum sealing by
draining a small amount of engine coolant
(antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock. If the
cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant
recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOL-
ANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING
SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty and
contains a considerable amount of sediment,
clean and flush with reliable cooling system
cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to re-
move all deposits and chemicals. Properly dis-
pose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lu-
bricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•
Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze), other
than the specified HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze), may result in engine damage
and may decrease corrosion protection. If a
non-HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) is
introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as
soon as possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
• Do not use water alone or alcohol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do
not use additional rust inhibitors or antirust
products, as they may not be compatible
with the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use
with Propylene Glycol-based engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Use of Propylene Glycol-
based engine coolant (antifreeze) is not
recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved
engine coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended
maintenance intervals. This engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) can be used up to 5 Years or
105,000 miles (168 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended main-
tenance period, it is important that you use the
same engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the
life of your vehicle. Please review these recom-
mendations for using Hybrid Organic Additive
Technology (HOAT) engine coolant (antifreeze).
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The radiator normally remains completely full,
so there is no need to remove the radiator cap,
unless checking for engine coolant (antifreeze)
freeze point or replacing engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Advise your service attendant of this.
As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be
checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is
needed to maintain the proper level, it should
be added to the coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few
miles (kilometers) of operation, you may
observe vapor coming from the front of the
engine compartment. This is normally a re-
sult of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and
being vaporized when the thermostat opens,
allowing hot engine coolant (antifreeze) to
enter the radiator.If an examination of your engine compartment
shows no evidence of radiator or hose leaks,
the vehicle may be safely driven. The vapor will
soon dissipate.
•
Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
• Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze
point in the radiator and in the coolant recov-
ery bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, contents of coolant
recovery bottle must also be protected
against freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) addi-
tions are required, or if the level in the
coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should
be pressure tested for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concen-
tration at 50% HOAT engine coolant (anti-
freeze) (minimum) and distilled water for
proper corrosion protection of your engine,
which contains aluminum components.
• Make sure that the radiator and coolant
recovery bottle hoses are not kinked or ob-
structed. •
Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your
vehicle is equipped with air conditioning,
keep the front of the condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or
Winter operation. If replacement is ever nec-
essary, install ONLY the correct type thermo-
stat. Other designs may result in unsatisfac-
tory cooling performance, poor gas mileage,
and increased emissions.
Brake SystemIn order to assure brake system performance,
all brake system components should be peri-
odically inspected. Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance inter-
vals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure
and possibly an accident. Driving with your
foot resting or riding on the brake pedal can
result in abnormally high brake temperatures,
excessive lining wear, and possible brake
damage. You would not have your full braking
capacity in an emergency.
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surfaces during other seasons, are highly cor-
rosive to the metal in your vehicle.
The following maintenance recommendations
will enable you to obtain maximum benefit from
the corrosion resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or re-
moval of paint and protective coatings from
your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
•Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
• Stone and gravel impact.
• Insects, tree sap and tar.
• Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash
your vehicle in the shade using MOPAR Car
Wash or a mild car wash soap, and rinse the
panels completely with clear water. •
If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have
accumulated on your vehicle, use MOPAR 
Super Kleen Bug and Tar Remover or
equivalent to remove.
• Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as
MOPAR Cleaner Wax to remove road film,
stains, and to protect your paint finish. Take
care never to scratch the paint.
• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power
buffing that may diminish the gloss or thin
out the paint finish.
CAUTION!
• Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning
materials such as steel wool or scouring
powder, which will scratch metal and
painted surfaces.
• Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or re-
moval of paint and decals. Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you
drive near the ocean, hose off the undercar-
riage at least once a month.
• It is important that the drain holes in the lower
edges of the doors, rocker panels and tail-
gate must be kept clear and open.
• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in
the paint, touch them up immediately. The
cost of such repairs is considered the re-
sponsibility of the owner.
• If your vehicle is damaged due to an acci-
dent or similar cause which destroys the
paint and protective coating, have your ve-
hicle repaired as soon as possible. The cost
of such repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.
• If you carry special cargo such as chemi-
cals, fertilizers, de-icer salt, etc., assure that
such materials are well packaged and
sealed.
• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads,
consider mud or stone shields behind each
wheel.
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Plastic is not as scratch-resistant as glass and
therefore different lens cleaning procedures
must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the
lenses and reducing light output, avoid wiping
with a dry cloth. To remove road dirt, wash with
a mild soap solution followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components,
solvents, steel wool or other aggressive mate-
rial to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a
regular basis with MOPARGlass Cleaner or
any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use cau-
tion when cleaning inside rear windows
equipped with electric defrosters. Do not use
scrapers or other sharp instruments which may
scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rearview mirror, spray
cleaner on the towel or rag that you are using.
Do not spray cleaner directly on the mirror. Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this
vehicle are molded in clear plastic. When
cleaning the lenses, care must be taken to
avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap
solution may be used, but do not use high
alcohol content or abrasive cleaners. If soap is
used, wipe clean with a clean damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with
chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners. This
will weaken the fabric. Sun damage will also
weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use MOPAR
Total
Clean, a mild soap solution, or lukewarm water.
Do not remove the belts from the vehicle to
wash them. Dry with a soft cloth.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn
or if the buckles do not work properly.FUSES
Totally Integrated Power Module
The Totally Integrated Power Module is located
in the engine compartment. This center con-
tains cartridge fuses and mini fuses. A descrip-
tion of each fuse and component may be
stamped on the inside cover, otherwise the
cavity number of each fuse is stamped on the
inside cover that corresponds to the following
chart.
Totally Integrated Power Module
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8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
•MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .................... 332
• Maintenance Schedule – Gasoline Engine ......... 332
• Maintenance Schedule – Diesel Engine ........... 344
331