2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE trailer

Driving Through Water................. 394
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 394
Power Steering....................... 396
Parking Brake........................ 397
Electronic Brake Control System........... 400
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 400
▫Traction Control System (TCS)........... 400
▫Brake Assist System (BAS).............. 401
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)......... 402
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......... 402
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)............. 406
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light............ 407Tire Safety Information................. 408
▫Tire Markings....................... 408
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 412
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions......... 413
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 414
Tires — General Information............. 418
▫Tire Pressure....................... 418
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................ 419
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 420
▫Radial-Ply Tires..................... 421
▫Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped.............. 421
▫Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped........ 422
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▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped............ 423
▫Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped......... 423
▫TireSpinning ....................... 424
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 424
▫LifeOfTire ........................ 425
▫Replacement Tires.................... 426
Tire Rotation Recommendations........... 427
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 428
▫Premium System.................... 431
▫General Information.................. 435
Fuel Requirements..................... 435
▫6.4L Engine........................ 435
▫Reformulated Gasoline................ 436▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 436
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 437
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 437
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 438
▫Fuel System Cautions................. 438
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............ 439
Adding Fuel......................... 440
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............. 440
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 443
Vehicle Loading...................... 443
▫Certification Label................... 443
TrailerTowing ........................ 446
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 446
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▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 449
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)..................... 450
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight............. 451▫Towing Requirements................. 452
▫TowingTips ........................ 455
Recreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.)...................... 457
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WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recre-
ational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and
“Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the “AutoStick” mode
(refer to “AutoStick” in this section) to select a lower
gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
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NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive gear if the follow-
ing conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
When to Use TOW Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, select TOW mode, using the rotary switch on the
center console. Selecting TOW mode will improve per-
formance and reduce the potential for transmission over-
heating or failure due to excessive shifting. Refer to
“Selec-Terrain” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStickis a driver-interactive transmission feature
that offers manual gear shifting to provide you with more
control of the vehicle. AutoStickallows you to maximize
engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 389

This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situa-
tions.
Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the five available gears. To engage AutoStick, simply tap
the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the DRIVE
position, or tap one of the steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles (+/-). Tapping (-) to enter AutoStickmode will
downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while
using (+) to enter AutoStickmode will retain the current
gear. When AutoStickis active, the current transmission
gear is displayed in the instrument cluster. In AutoStick
mode, the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-)
is manually selected by the driver (using the shift lever,or the shift paddles), unless an engine lugging or over-
speed condition would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or downshift is cho-
sen, except as described below.
•Normally, in AutoStickmode, the transmission will
automatically shift up when maximum engine speed is
reached. If, however, AutoStickis engaged while in
SPORT mode, the transmission will remain in the
selected gear even when maximum engine speed is
reached. The transmission will upshift only when
commanded by the driver.
•The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Auto– Fully automatic full time four-wheel drive
operation can be used on and off road. Balances
traction with seamless steering feel to provide im-
proved handling and acceleration over two-wheel
drive vehicles. The active suspension system will be in
Touring Mode.
•Track– Track road calibration for use on high traction
surfaces. Driveline is maximized for traction. Some
binding may be felt on less forgiving surfaces. The
electronic brake controls are set to Partial OFF to limit
traction control management of throttle and wheel
spin.
The customer has the option of going to FULL OFF
with no interaction from the ESC System. The active
suspension system will be in Full Firm mode. A green
flag will light up in the instrument cluster.
•To w– Use this mode for towing. Vehicle suspension
will go to Firm mode and peak power will be limitedin the engine controls. When the suspension is in Firm
Mode, a green flag will light up in the cluster. Trailer
sway control is enabled in the ESC system. The terrain
switch will remain in this position through an ignition
cycle until the customer cycles into another position.
Active Dampening System
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic controlled
dampening system. This system reduces body roll and
pitch in many driving situations including cornering,
acceleration and braking. There are 3 modes:
•Touring Mode (Available in terrain positions AUTO
and SNOW) — Used during highway speeds where a
touring suspension feel is desired.
•Firm Mode (Available in terrain positions SPORT and
TOW) — Provides a firm suspension for better han-
dling.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 393

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake
Assist System (BAS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM),
and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All five of these
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.
Also, your vehicle is equipped with Trailer Sway Control
(TSC).
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capa-
bilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited
400 STARTING AND OPERATING