2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ground clearance

INTRODUCTIONCongratulations on selecting your new Chrysler
Group LLC vehicle. Be assured that it repre-
sents precision workmanship, distinctive styl-
ing, and high quality - all essentials that are
traditional to our vehicles.
This is a specialized utility vehicle. It can go
places and perform tasks that conventional
passenger cars are not intended. It handles
and maneuvers differently from many passen-
ger cars both on-road and off-road, so take
time to become familiar with your vehicle.
The two-wheel drive version of this vehicle was
designed for on-road use only. It is not intended
for off-road driving or use in other severe con-
ditions suited for a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the
Owner’s Manual and all the Supplements. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering,
and transmission and transfer case shifting.
Learn how your vehicle handles on different
road surfaces. Your driving skills will improve
with experience, but as in driving any vehicle,
take it easy as you begin. When driving off-roador working the vehicle, don’t overload it or
expect it to overcome the forces of nature.
Always observe local laws wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or a collision. Be sure to read the
“On-Road/ Off-Road Driving Tips” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information.
NOTE:
After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for conve-
nient referencing and remain with the ve-
hicle when sold.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or a collision.
Operating this vehicle at excessive speeds or
while intoxicated may result in loss of control,
collision with other vehicles or objects, going
off the road, or overturning; any of which may
lead to serious injury or death. Also, failure to
use seat belts subjects the driver and passen-
gers to a greater risk of injury or death.
To keep your vehicle running at its best, have
your vehicle serviced at recommended inter-vals by an authorized dealer or distributor who
has the qualified personnel, special tools and
equipment to perform all service.
The manufacturer and its distributors are vitally
interested in your complete satisfaction with
this vehicle. If you encounter a service or
warranty problem which is not resolved to your
satisfaction, discuss the matter with your autho-
rized dealer or distributor’s management.
Your authorized dealer or distributor will be
happy to assist you with any questions about
your vehicle.
ROLLOVER WARNINGUtility vehicles have a significantly higher roll-
over rate than other types of vehicles. This
vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a
higher center of gravity than many passenger
cars. It is capable of performing better in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Driven in
an unsafe manner, all vehicles can go out of
control. Because of the higher center of gravity,
if this vehicle is out of control it may roll over
when some other vehicles may not.
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Selec-Terrain™ consists of the following posi-
tions:
•Sport – Dry weather, on-road calibration.
Only available in 4WD High range. Perfor-
mance based tuning that provides a rear
wheel drive feel but with improved handling
and acceleration over a two-wheel drive ve-
hicle. The Electronic Stability Control will set
to allow more driver control of vehicle while
maintaining safe handling controls. The ve-
hicle will lower (if equipped with Air Suspen-
sion) to Aero Mode in High Range. 4WD Low
is not available in SPORT mode, if 4WD Low
is selected the Selec-Terrain™ will automati-
cally switch back to AUTO.
• Snow – Tuning set for additional stability in
inclement weather. Use on and off road on
loose traction surfaces such as snow. When
in Snow mode (depending on certain oper-
ating conditions), the transmission may use
second gear (rather than first gear) during
launches, to minimize wheel slippage. If equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to Normal Ride Height (NRH) if the
transfer case is in high range. The level will
change to Off-Road 1 if the transfer case is in
Low range.
• Auto – Fully automatic full time four-wheel
drive operation can be used on and off road.
Balances traction with seamless steering
feel to provide improved handling and accel-
eration over two-wheel drive vehicles. If
equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to NRH.
• Sand/Mud – Off road calibration for use on
low traction surfaces such as mud, sand, or
wet grass. Driveline is maximized for trac-
tion. Some binding may be felt on less for-
giving surfaces. The electronic brake con-
trols are set to limit traction control
management of throttle and wheel spin. If
equipped with air suspension, the level will
change to Off-Road 1. •
Rock – Off-road calibration only available in
4WD Low range. The vehicle is raised (if
equipped with Air Suspension) for improved
ground clearance. Traction based tuning
with improved steer-ability for use on high
traction off-road surfaces. Activate the Hill
Descent Control for steep downhill control.
Use for low speed obstacles such as large
rocks, deep ruts, etc. If equipped with air
suspension, the vehicle level will change to
Off-Road 2. If the Selec-Terrain™ switch is in
ROCK mode, and the transfer case is
switched from 4WD Low to 4WD High, the
Selec-Terrain™ system will return to AUTO.
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a mes-
sage will appear in the EVIC display. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
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QUADRA-LIFT™ — IF EQUIPPED
Description
The Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system pro-
vides full time load leveling capability along
with the benefit of being able to adjust vehicle
height by the push of a button.•
Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the
standard position of the suspension and is
meant for normal driving.
• Off-Road 1 (OR1) (Raises the vehicle ap-
proximately 1.3 in (33 mm) (1.1 in (28 mm)
w/AMS package) – This position should be
the default position for all off-road driving
until OR2 is needed. A smoother and more
comfortable ride will result. Press the “Up”
button once from the NRH position while the
vehicle speed is below 48 mph (77 km/h).
When in the OR1 position, if the vehicle
speed remains between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h) for greater than
20 seconds or if the vehicle speed exceeds
50 mph (80 km/h), the vehicle will be auto-
matically lowered to NRH. Refer to “Off-Road
Driving Tips” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
• Off-Road 2 (OR2) (Raises the vehicle ap-
proximately 2.6 in (65 mm) (2.2 in (56mm)
w/AMS package) – This position is intended
for off-roading use only where maximum
ground clearance is required. To enter OR2,
press the “Up” button twice from the NRH
position or once from the OR1 position while vehicle speed is below 20 mph (32 km/h).
While in OR2, if the vehicle speed exceeds
25 mph (40 km/h) the vehicle height will be
automatically lowered to OR1. Refer to “Off-
Road Driving Tips” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for further information.
• Aero Mode (Lowers the vehicle approxi-
mately 0.5 in (13 mm) – This position pro-
vides improved aerodynamics by lowering
the vehicle. The vehicle will automatically
enter Aero Mode when the vehicle speed
remains between 62 mph (100 km/h) and
66 mph (106 km/h) for greater than 20 sec-
onds or if the vehicle speed exceeds 66 mph
(106 km/h). The vehicle will return to NRH
from Aero Mode if the vehicle speed remains
between 30 mph (48 km/h) and 35 mph
(56 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if
the vehicle speed falls below 30 mph
(48 km/h). The vehicle will enter Aero Mode,
regardless of vehicle speed if the Selec-
Terrain™ knob is turned to the “SPORT”
position. Turning the Selec-Terrain™ knob to
the “AUTO” position will return the system to
normal operation.
Selec-Terrain™ Switch
1—UpButton
2 — Down Button
3 — Park Mode Indicator Lamp
4 — Normal Ride Height Indicator Lamp
5 — Off-Road 1 Indicator Lamp
6 — Off-Road 2 Indicator Lamp
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OperationThe indicator lamps 3 through 6 will illuminate
to show the current position of the vehicle.
Flashing indicator lamps will show a position
which the system is working to achieve. When
raising, if multiple indicator lamps are flashing
on the “Up” button, the highest flashing indica-
tor lamp is the position the system is working to
achieve. When lowering, if multiple indicators
are flashing on theUpbutton the lowest solid
indicator lamp is the position the system is
working to achieve.
Pressing the “UP” button once will move the
suspension one position higher from the cur-
rent position, assuming all conditions are met
(i.e. engine running, speed below threshold,
etc). The “UP” button can be pressed multiple
times, each press will raise the requested level
by one position up to a maximum position of
OR2 or the highest position allowed based on
current conditions (i.e. vehicle speed, etc).
Pressing the “DOWN” button once will move
the suspension one position lower from the
current level, assuming all conditions are met
(i.e. engine running, doors closed, speed be-
low threshold, etc). The “DOWN” button can be pressed multiple times. Each press will lower
the requested level by one position down to a
minimum of Park Mode or the lowest position
allowed based on current conditions (i.e. ve-
hicle speed, etc.)
Automatic height changes will occur based on
vehicle speed and the current vehicle height.
The indicator lamps and EVIC messages will
operate the same for automatic changes and
user requested changes.
•
Off-Road 2 (OR2) – Indicator lamps 4, 5, and
6 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in
OR2.
• Off-Road 1 (OR1) – Indicator lamps 4 and 5
will be illuminated when the vehicle is in
OR1.
• Normal Ride Height (NRH) – Indicator lamp 4
will be illuminated when the vehicle is in this
position.
• Park Mode – Indicator lamp 3 will be illumi-
nated when the vehicle is in Park Mode. If
Park Mode is requested while vehicle speed
is between 15 mph (24 km/h) and 25 mph
(40 km/h), indicator lamp 4 will remain on solid and indicator lamp 3 will flash as the
system waits for the vehicle to reduce
speed. If vehicle speed is reduced to, and
kept below, 15 mph (24 km/h) indicator lamp
4 will turn off and indicator lamp 3 will flash
until Park Mode is achieved at which point
indicator lamp 3 will go solid. If during the
height change to Park Mode, the vehicle
speed exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h), the height
change will be paused until the vehicle
speed either goes below 15 mph (24 km/h)
and the height change continues to Park
Mode, or exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) and the
vehicle height will return to NRH. Park Mode
may be selected while the vehicle is not
moving provided that the engine is still run-
ning and all doors remain closed.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPSUtility vehicles have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off-road appli-
cations. Specific design characteristics give
them a higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars.
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An advantage of the higher ground clearance
is a better view of the road, allowing you to
anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily in off-road conditions. If at all
possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure
to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or vehicle rollover.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
NOTE:
Prior to off-road driving, remove the front air
dam to prevent damage. The front air dam is
attached to the lower front fascia with seven
quarter turn fasteners and can be removed
by hand.
Quadra-Lift™ – If EquippedWhen off-roading, it is recommended that the
lowest useable vehicle height that will clear the
current obstacle or terrain be selected. The
vehicle height should then be raised as re-
quired by the changes in terrain.
The Selec-Terrain™ switch will automatically
change the vehicle to the optimized height
based on the Selec-Terrain™ switch position.
The vehicle height can be changed from the
default height for each Selec-Terrain™ modeby normal use of the air suspension switches.
Refer to “Quadra-Lift™ – If Equipped” in “Start-
ing and Operating” for further information.
When To Use 4WD LOW Range – If
Equipped
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD LOW for
additional traction. This range should be limited
to extreme situations such as deep snow, mud,
or sand where additional low speed pulling
power is needed. Vehicle speeds in excess of
25 mph (40 km/h) should be avoided when in
4WD LOW range.
CAUTION!
Do not use 4WD LOW range when operating
the vehicle on dry pavement. Driveline hard-
ware damage can result.
Driving Through WaterAlthough your vehicle is capable of driving
through water, there are a number of precau-
tions that must be considered before entering
the water.
Front Air Dam
1 — Front Bumper
2 — Front Air Dam Fasteners
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