2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE stop start

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in an
accident.
Towing Tips
NOTE:To provide optimum towing performance and to
protect transmission components always select Trailer
Tow mode when towing a trailer.
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 455

Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, use
the AutoStickfeature to select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the “Main-
tenance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
456 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time tocheck the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off or before starting the
engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level in the “SAFE” range. Adding one quart of oil
when the reading is at the bottom of the “SAFE” range
will result in an oil level at the top of the “SAFE” range
on these engines.
NOTE:Fill engine oil one quart at a time.
CAUTION!
•Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration
or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
(Continued)
476 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
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 vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:•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 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
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
488 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J10 30 Amp
PinkHeadlamp Wash
Relay Contact
J11 30 Amp
PinkDrive Train Control
Module
J12 30 Amp
PinkRear Defroster
J13 60 Amp
YellowMain Ignition Off
Draw (IOD)
J14 20 Amp
BlueTrailer Tow
Lamps/Park Lamps
J15 40 Amp
GreenFront Cabin Fan/
Blower
J17 40 Amp
GreenStarter Motor Sole-
noidCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J18 20 Amp
BluePowertrain Control
Module/Powertrain
Control Module
Transmission Range
J19 60 Amp
YellowRadiator Fan Motor
HI/Radiator Fan
Motor Low
J20 30 Amp
PinkFront Wiper
J21 20 Amp
BlueFront/Rear Washer
Control
J22 25 Amp
NaturalSunroof Module
M1 15 Amp
BlueStop Lamps
506 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
REPLACEMENT BULBS
Interior Lights Bulb Type
Glove Box Lamp......................... 194
Grab Handle Lamp................L002825W5W
Overhead Console Reading Lamps.........VT4976
Rear Cargo Lamp.......................214–2
Visor Vanity Lamp.....................V26377
Underpanel Courtesy Lamps................ 906
Instrument Cluster (General Illumination)....... 103
Telltale/Hazard Lamp...................... 74Exterior Lights Bulb Type
Backup Lamps.........................3157K
Front Park/Turn Lamp...................3757A
Front Fog Lamps........................9145
Front Side Marker...................... W5W
Headlamps (Low Beam) – High Intensity Discharge
(HID)................................ D1S
(Serviced at Authorized Dealer)
Headlamps (Low Beam)...................9006
Headlamps (High Beam)..................9005
Rear Turn/Stop/Tail Lamps...............3157K
NOTE:Numbers refer to commercial bulb types that
can be purchased from your authorized dealer.
If a bulb needs to be replaced, visit your authorized
dealer or refer to the applicable Service Manual.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 511