2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE tow

▫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
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition switch to the OFF position (EVIC
displays “IGNITION MODE OFF”).
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
Clearing A Flooded Engine (Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button)
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weatherproce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, press
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 379

transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever rearward (with the brake
pedal released), after you have placed it in PARK.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK before
leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or some-
thing. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your foot is firmly
pressing on the brake pedal.
(Continued)
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

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.
5
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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 393

When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the ON position, the “Brake Warning Light” in
the instrument cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
•When the parking brake is applied and the transmis-
sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will
flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle.
•This light only shows that the parking brake is ap-
plied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. Apply the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism maymake it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
(Continued)
398 STARTING AND OPERATING