2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

Retractable Cargo Area Cover — If Equipped
NOTE:The purpose of this cover is for privacy, not to
secure loads. It will not prevent cargo from shifting or
protect passengers from loose cargo.
To cover the cargo area:
1. Grasp the cover at the center handle. Pull it over the
cargo area.
2. Insert the pins on the ends of the cover into the slots in
the pillar trim cover.
Lower Storage Bins
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 271

3. The liftgate may be opened with the cargo cover in
place.WARNING!
In a collision, a loose cargo cover in the vehicle could
cause injury. It could fly around in a sudden stop and
strike someone in the vehicle. Do not store the cargo
cover on the cargo floor or in the passenger compart-
ment. Remove the cover from the vehicle when taken
from its mounting. Do not store it in the vehicle.
Rear Cargo Cover
272 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
The cargo tie-downs, located on the cargo area floor,
should be used to safely secure loads when the vehicle is
moving.WARNING!
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
•Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or acci-
dent, a hook could pull loose and allow the child
seat to come loose. A child could be badly injured.
Use only the anchors provided for child seat
tethers.
The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:(Continued)
Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 273

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the label attached to the left door or
left door center pillar.
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as
possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed
weight over or behind the rear axle can cause the
rear of the vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or be-
come a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or
accident.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper/washer is controlled by a rotary switch
located on the control lever. The control lever is located
on the left side of the steering column.
Rear Wiper/Washer Control
274 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rotate the center portion of the lever upward to the
first detent for intermittent operation and to the
second detent for continuous rear wiper operation.
Rotating the center portion upward once more will
activate the washer pump which will continue to
operate as long as the switch is held. Upon release
of the switch, the wipers will resume the continuous rear
wiper operation. When this rotary control is in the OFF
position, rotating it downward will activate the rear
washer pump which will continue to operate as long as
the switch is held. Once the switch is released it will
return to the OFF position and the wipers will cycle
several times before returning to the parked position.
NOTE: As a protective measure, the pump will stop if
the switch is held for more than 20 seconds. Once the
switch is released the pump will resume normal opera-
tion. If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
OFF, the wiper will automatically return to the “park”
position.
If the liftgate flipper glass is open, the rear window
wiper/washer functionality is interrupted and the wiper
stops at that “park” position. When the liftgate flipper
glass is closed, the rear wiper will resume wiper/washer
functionality after five seconds.
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster button is located on the
climate control panel. Press this button to turn on
the rear window defroster and the heated outside mirrors
(if equipped). An indicator in the button will illuminate
when the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after approximately
10 minutes. For an additional five minutes of operation,
press the button a second time.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 275

NOTE:To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear
window defroster only when the engine is operating.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
•Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Labels can be peeled off
after soaking with warm water.
•Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
•Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and siderails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
NOTE: If not equipped with crossbars, your authorized
dealer can order and install MOPAR crossbars built
specifically for this roof rack system.
Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo
inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
276 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To move the crossbars, loosen the attachments, located at
the upper edge of each crossbar, approximately eight
turns using the anti-theft wrench provided with the
MOPARcrossbars. Then, move the crossbar to the
desired position, keeping the crossbars parallel to the
rack frame. Once the crossbar is in the desired position,
retighten the with the wrench to lock the crossbar into
position.
NOTE:
•To help control wind noise when the crossbars are not
in use, place the front and rear crossbars approxi-
mately 24 in (61 cm) apart. Optimal noise reduction
can then be achieved by adjusting the front crossbar
forward or aft using increments of 1 in (2.5 cm).
•If the rear crossbar (or any metallic object) is placed
over the satellite radio antenna (if equipped), you may
experience interruption of satellite radio reception. For
improved satellite radio reception, avoid placing the
rear crossbar over the satellite radio antenna.
•The grab handles on the back of the vehicle (if
equipped) are not to be used as a towing feature.
CAUTION!
•To prevent damage to the roof of your vehicle, do
not carry any loads on the roof rack without the
crossbars installed. The load should be secured
and placed on top of the crossbars, not directly on
the roof. If it is necessary to place the load on the
roof, place a blanket or some other protection
between the load and the roof surface.
(Continued)
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 277

CAUTION! (Continued)
•To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do
not exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity of
150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads as
evenly as possible and secure the load appropri-
ately.
•Long loads which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
•Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic, can add sudden upward lift to
a load. This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in per-
sonal injury or property damage. Follow the roof rack
cautions when carrying cargo on your roof rack.
278 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE