2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE service

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil
as the chemicals can damage your engine.
Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Selection – ACEA Categories
For countries that use the ACEA European Oil
Categories for Service Fill Oils, use engine oils
that meet the requirements of ACEA C3, and
that are approved to MB 229.31 or MB 229.51.
Engine Oil Viscosity – 3.6L Engine
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all
operating temperatures. This engine oil im-
proves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location,
refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information. Engine Oil Viscosity – 5.7L Engine
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all
operating temperatures. This engine oil im-
proves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location,
refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
NOTE:
SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to MB
229.31 or MB 229.51 may be used when SAE
5W-20 engine oil is not available.
Engine Oil – Diesel Engine
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection
under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that
meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-11106, and that are approved to
Mercedes Benz MB 229.31 or MB 229.51 and
ACEA C3.Engine Oil Viscosity
CAUTION!
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced
technology Diesel Engine and an emission
device designed to limit Diesel Particulate
Emissions from being released into the atmo-
sphere. The durability of your engine and life
expectancy of this diesel particulate filter
emission device is highly dependent on the
use of the correct engine oil.
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Low Ash Engine Oil is
recommended for all operating temperatures.
This engine oil improves low temperature start-
ing and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your engine.
For information on engine oil filler cap location,
refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
Synthetic Engine OilsYou may use synthetic engine oils provided the
recommended oil quality requirements are met,
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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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attention should also be given to hood latching
components to ensure proper function. When
performing other underhood services, the hood
latch, release mechanism and safety catch
should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubri-
cated twice a year, preferably in the Fall and
Spring. Apply a small amount of a high quality
lubricant, such as MOPARLock Cylinder Lu-
bricant or equivalent directly into the lock cyl-
inder.
Windshield Wiper BladesClean the rubber edges of the wiper blades
and the windshield periodically with a sponge
or soft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner to
remove accumulations of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long
periods may cause deterioration of the wiper
blades. Always use washer fluid when using
the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a dry
windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to wipe frost or
ice from the windshield. Keep the blade rubber
out of contact with petroleum products such as
engine oil, gasoline, etc. NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies de-
pending on geographical area and fre-
quency of use. Poor performance of blades
may be present with chattering, marks, wa-
ter lines or wet spots. If any of these condi-
tions are present, clean the wiper blades or
replace as necessary.
Rear Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the pivot cap on the rear wiper arm
upward, this will allow the rear wiper blade to
be raised off of the liftgate glass.
NOTE:
The rear wiper arm cannot be raised fully
upward unless the pivot cap is raised first.
2. Lift the rear wiper arm upward to raise the
wiper blade off of the liftgate glass.
3. Grab the bottom of the wiper blade and
rotate it forward to unsnap the blade pivot pin
from the wiper blade holder.
1 — Wiper Arm
2 — Pivot Cap
1 — Wiper Blade
2 — Blade Pivot Pin
3 — Wiper Arm
4 — Wiper Blade Holder
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CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
condition. In the event of engine malfunction,
particularly involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have your ve-
hicle serviced promptly. Continued operation
of your vehicle with a severe malfunction
could cause the converter to overheat, result-
ing in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions con-
trol systems can result in civil penalties
being assessed against you.WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you
park over materials that can burn. Such ma-
terials might be grass or leaves coming into
contact with your exhaust system. Do not park
or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunc-
tioning engine operation, a scorching odor may
suggest severe and abnormal catalyst over-
heating. If this occurs, stop the vehicle, turn off
the engine and allow it to cool. Service, includ-
ing a tuneup to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter
damage:
• Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the
ignition, when the transmission is in gear and
the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or
towing the vehicle. •
Do not idle the engine with any spark plug
wires disconnected or removed, such as
when diagnostic testing, or for prolonged
periods during very rough idle or malfunc-
tioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
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.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protec-
tion every 12 months (before the onset of
freezing weather, where applicable). If the en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant
(antifreeze). Check the front of the A/C con-
denser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves,
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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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Fluid Level Check – Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be
checked when performing under the hood ser-
vice, or immediately if the brake system warn-
ing lamp indicates system failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent
plastic reservoir. On the outboard side of the
reservoir, there is a “MAX” dot and a “MIN” dot.
The fluid level must be kept within these two
dots. Do not add fluid above the MAX mark,
because leakage may occur at the cap.
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be ex-
pected to fall as the brake linings wear. How-
ever, an unexpected drop in fluid level may be
caused by a leak and a system check should
be conducted.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for further information. Using the
wrong type of brake fluid can severely
damage your brake system and/or impair
its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master
cylinder reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter
or moisture, use only new brake fluid or
fluid that has been in a tightly closed con-
tainer. Keep the master cylinder reservoir
cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in a
open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This
may cause it to boil unexpectedly during
hard or prolonged braking, resulting in sud-
den brake failure. This could result in a
accident.
(Continued)WARNING!(Continued)
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts, causing the brake fluid to catch fire.
Brake fluid can also damage painted and
vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to con-
taminate the brake fluid. Brake seal com-
ponents could be damaged, causing partial
or complete brake failure. This could result
in an accident.
Front/Rear Axle FluidFor normal service, periodic fluid level checks
are not required. When the vehicle is serviced
for other reasons the exterior surfaces of the
axle assembly should be inspected. If gear oil
leakage is suspected inspect the fluid level.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
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CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid may
cause deterioration in transmission shift qual-
ity and/or torque converter shudder. Using a
transmission fluid other than the manufactur-
er’s recommended fluid will require more fre-
quent fluid and filter changes. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engi-
neered product and its performance may be
impaired by supplemental additives. Therefore,
do not add any fluid additives to the transmis-
sion. The only exception to this policy is the use
of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmis-
sion as the chemicals can damage your trans-
mission components. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check – 3.6L And 3.0L Diesel
Engine
Routine fluid level checks are not required. For
this reason, the dipstick is omitted. Your autho-
rized dealer can check your transmission fluid
level using a special service dipstick.
If you notice fluid leakage or transmission mal-
function, have your authorized dealer check
the transmission fluid level. Operation with an
improper fluid level can greatly reduce the life
of your transmission.CAUTION!
• Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid may
cause deterioration in transmission shift
quality and/or torque converter shudder.
Using a transmission fluid other than that
recommended by the manufacturer will re-
quire more frequent fluid and filter changes.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
• The fluid level is preset at the factory and it
does not require adjustment under normal
operating conditions. If a transmission fluid
leak occurs, visit your authorized dealer
immediately. Severe damage to the trans-
mission may occur. Your authorized dealer
has the proper tools to adjust the fluid level
accurately.
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