2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE engine overheat

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 remote posi-
tive (+)battery post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected 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 discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE while ap-
plying 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 effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 563

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be
one in the rear and two mounted on the front of the
vehicle. The rear hook will be located on the driver’s side
of the vehicle.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
564 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•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 vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
590 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•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 malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 591

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.WARNING!
•The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precau-
tion. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when
the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove
the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes
pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 595

Oil Selection..................... 580,622
Oil Synthetic ........................ 581
Overheating ........................ 548
Starting ........................... 413
Temperature Gauge ................... 294
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 581
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 581
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 76
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 23
Ethanol ............................... 510
Event Data Recorder ...................... 80
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 48,95,513
Exhaust System ....................... 95,589
Exterior Finish Care ...................... 605
Exterior Lights .......................... 98
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 582
Engine Oil ......................... 582 Engine Oil Disposal
................... 582
Finish Care ............................ 605
Flashers .............................. 548
Hazard Warning ..................... 548
Turn Signal ................. 98,287,618,620
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 517
Engine Oil ......................... 516
Fuel Requirements ................. 513,515
Maintenance ........................ 517
Replacement Parts .................... 517
Starting ........................... 516
Flipper Glass, Liftgate ..................... 45
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 417
Fluid Capacities ......................... 622
Fluid Leaks ............................. 98
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..........601,602,603
Brake ............................. 598
10
INDEX 661

MTBE/ETBE........................... 510
Multi-Displacement Engine System ........... 462
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 180
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 93
Occupant Restraints ................... 49,72,77
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .............70,72,75
Odometer ............................. 287
Trip .............................. 287
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ............ 454
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ............ 454
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 310
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 310
Oil, Engine ............................ 579
Capacity ........................... 622
Change Interval ..................... 580
Dipstick ........................... 579
Disposal ........................... 582 Filter
............................. 582
Filter Disposal ....................... 582
Identification Logo ................... 580
Materials Added to ................... 582
Recommendation .................. 580,622
Synthetic .......................... 581
Viscosity ........................ 581,622
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............575,576
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 242
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 6
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 108
Overdrive .......................... 429,438
Overdrive OFF Switch .................429,438
Overhead Console ....................... 240
Overheating, Engine ................... 294,548
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........6,651
Paint Care ............................. 604
Paint Damage .......................... 604
10
INDEX 667