2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE warning

DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest up-
shifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-
shifts through underdrive first and second
gears, direct third gear and overdrive fourth and
fifth gears. The DRIVE position provides opti-
mum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
To access all six available gears, you must use
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
(refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS) Opera-
tion” in this section).
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section) to se-
lect a lower gear range. Under these conditions,
using a lower gear range will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.If the transmission temperature exceeds normal
operating limits, the powertrain controller will
modify the transmission shift schedule and ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch en-
gagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is
in danger of overheating, the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and
the transmission may operate differently until
the transmission cools down.
NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily
loaded vehicle at low speeds (such as tow-
ing a trailer up a steep grade, or in stop-
and-go traffic) during hot weather. In these
conditions, torque converter slip can im-
pose a significant additional heat load on
the cooling system. Downshifting the trans-
mission to the lowest possible gear (when
climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to
reduce this excess heat generation.
During cold temperatures, transmission opera-
tion may be modified depending on engine andtransmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. This feature improves warm up time of
the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of both the torque
converter clutch and the top overdrive gear are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm
(refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). During extremely cold
temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), opera-
tion may briefly be limited to first and direct
gears only. Normal operation will resume once
the transmission temperature has risen to a
suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition is
detected that could result in transmission dam-
age, Transmission Limp Home Mode is acti-
vated. In this mode, the transmission remains in
direct gear regardless of which forward gear is
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will
continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home
Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without damaging
the transmission.
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In the event of a momentary problem, the
transmission can be reset to regain all forward
gears by performing the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF
position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6.
Shift into the desired gear range. If the prob-
lem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit your authorized
dealer at your earliest possible conve-
nience. Your authorized dealer has diagnos-
tic equipment to determine if the problem
could recur. If the transmission cannot be
reset, authorized dealer service is required. Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
allows the driver to limit the highest available
gear when the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position. For example, if you shift the transmis-
sion into 3 (third gear), the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but will shift down
into second and first gears normally.
Use of ERS (or TOW/HAUL mode) also enables
an additional underdrive gear which is not nor-
mally used during through-gear accelerations.
This additional gear can improve vehicle perfor-
mance and cooling capability when towing a
trailer on certain grades. In ERS mode, gears 1
though 3 are underdrive gears, and ERS 4 is
direct drive. ERS 5 and 6 (Overdrive gears ) are
the same as the normal fourth and fifth gears.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at
any vehicle speed. When the shift lever is in the
DRIVE position, the transmission will operate
automatically, shifting between all available
gears. Tapping the shift lever to the left (-) will
activate ERS mode, display the current gear in
the instrument cluster, and maintain that gear as
the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tap-
ping the shift lever to the left (-) or right (+) will
change the top available gear.
The instrument cluster display will show the
requested top gear limit, however the transmis-
sion will not downshift to the requested gear if
doing so would overspeed the engine. The
transmission will downshift once the vehicle
speed has slowed sufficiently.
To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the
shift lever to the right (+) until “D” is once again
displayed in the shift lever position indicator in
the instrument cluster.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery surface. The drive wheels
could lose their grip and the vehicle could
skid, causing a collision or personal injury.
NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maxi-
mum deceleration (engine braking), simply
press and hold the shift lever to the left (-).
The transmission will shift to the range from
which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
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•If the vehicle has not been driven for
several days, the first few seconds of
operation after shifting the transmission
into gear may seem sluggish. This is due
to the fluid partially draining from the
torque converter into the transmission.
This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The
torque converter will refill within five sec-
onds after starting the engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION
Quadra-Trac II® Operating
Instructions/Precautions
The Quadra-Trac II® transfer case is fully auto-
matic in the normal driving 4WD AUTO mode.
The Quadra-Trac II® transfer case provides
three mode positions:
•4WD HI
• NEUTRAL
• 4WD LOW This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4WD
HI mode.
When additional traction is required, the 4WD
LOW position can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together and force the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. The
4WD LOW position is intended for loose, slip-
pery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOW position on dry, hard-surfaced roads may
cause increased tire wear and damage to drive-
line components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the
engine speed is approximately three times that
of the 4WD HI position at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine and do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles
depends on tires of equal size, type, and cir-
cumference on each wheel. Any difference will
adversely affect shifting and cause damage to
the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved
traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe
turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster
than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case
in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The trans-
fer case NEUTRAL (N) position disengages
both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The
parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
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The system requires that the engine be running
for all changes. When lowering the vehicle all of
the doors, including the liftgate, must be closed.
If a door is opened at any time while the vehicle
is lowering the change will not be completed
until the open door(s) is closed.
The Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system uses
a lifting and lowering pattern which keeps the
headlights from incorrectly shining into oncom-
ing traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of
the vehicle will move up first and then the front.
When lowering the vehicle, the front will move
down first and then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed
that the air suspension system operates briefly,
this is normal. The system is correcting the
position of the vehicle to ensure a proper ap-
pearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the
Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system has a fea-
ture which allows the automatic leveling to be
disabled. Press and hold both the “Up” and
“Down” buttons simultaneously between 5 and
10 seconds, a message will appear in the EVIC
stating leveling has been disabled immediatelyafter both buttons have been released. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. Driving the vehicle over
5 mph (8 km/h) will return the air suspension to
normal operation. Refer to “Jacking and Tire
Changing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pres-
sure volume of air to operate the system. To
avoid personal injury or damage to the sys-
tem, see your authorized dealer for service.
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a mes-
sage will appear in the EVIC display. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a
system error has been detected.
OperationThe indicator lamps 3 through 6 will illuminate to
show the current position of the vehicle. Flash-
ing indicator lamps will show a position which
the system is working to achieve. When raising,
if multiple indicator lamps are flashing on the
“Up” button, the highest flashing indicator lamp
is the position the system is working to achieve.
When lowering, if multiple indicators are flash-
ing on the
"Up"button the lowest solid indicator
lamp is the position the system is working to
achieve.
Pressing the “UP” button once will move the
suspension one position higher from the current
position, assuming all conditions are met (i.e.
engine running, speed below threshold, etc).
The “UP” button can be pressed multiple times,
each press will raise the requested level by one
position up to a maximum position of OR2 or the
highest position allowed based on current con-
ditions (i.e. vehicle speed, etc).
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OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
NOTE:
Prior to off-road driving, remove the front air
dam to prevent damage. The front air dam is
attached to the lower front fascia with seven
quarter turn fasteners and can be removed
by hand.
Quadra-Lift™ – If EquippedWhen off-roading, it is recommended that the
lowest useable vehicle height that will clear the
current obstacle or terrain be selected. The
vehicle height should then be raised as required
by the changes in terrain.
The Selec-Terrain™ switch will automatically
change the vehicle to the optimized height
based on the Selec-Terrain™ switch position.
The vehicle height can be changed from the
default height for each Selec-Terrain™ mode by
normal use of the air suspension switches.
Refer to “Quadra-Lift™ – If Equipped” in “Start-
ing and Operating” for further information.
When To Use 4WD LOW Range – If
Equipped
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD LOW for
additional traction. This range should be limited
to extreme situations such as deep snow, mud,
or sand where additional low speed pulling
power is needed. Vehicle speeds in excess of
25 mph (40 km/h) should be avoided when in
4WD LOW range.
WARNING!
Do not drive in 4WD-LOW Range on dry
pavement; driveline damage may result.
4WD-LOW Range locks front and rear driv-
elines together and does not allow for differ-
ential action between the front to rear drive-
shafts. Driving in 4WD-LOW on pavement
will cause driveline binding and"crow-hop";
use only on wet or slippery surfaces.
Driving Through WaterAlthough your vehicle is capable of driving
through water, there are a number of precau-
tions that must be considered before entering
the water.
NOTE:
Your vehicle is capable of water fording in
up to 20 inches (51 cm) of water, while
crossing small rivers or streams. To main-
tain optimal performance of your vehicle’s
heating and ventilation system it is recom-
mended to switch the system into recircula-
tion mode during water fording.
Front Air Dam
1 — Front Bumper
2 — Front Air Dam Fasteners
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If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to
come to a stop and immediately apply the
brakes. Restart the engine, and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help regu-
late your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.Remember, never drive diagonally across a
hill always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front
wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.Traction DownhillShift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four
wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated
braking can cause brake fade with loss of
braking control. Avoid repeated heavy braking
by downshifting the transmission whenever
possible.
After Driving Off-RoadOff-road operation puts more stress on your
vehicle than does most on-road driving. After
going off-road, it is always a good idea to check
for damage. That way you can get any problems
taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
•
Completely inspect the underbody of your ve-
hicle. Check tires, body structure, steering,
suspension, and exhaust system for damage.
•
Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and
clean as required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, par-
ticularly on the chassis, drivetrain compo-
nents, steering, and suspension. Retighten
them, if required, and torque to the values
specified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush.
These things could be a fire hazard. They
might hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses,
axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
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•After extended operation in mud, sand, wa-
ter, or similar dirty conditions, have the radia-
tor, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings,
and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes
may cause excessive wear or unpredictable
braking. You might not have full braking
power when you need it to prevent a colli-
sion. If you have been operating your vehicle
in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driv-
ing in mud, slush or similar conditions, check
the wheels for impacted material. Impacted
material can cause a wheel imbalance and
freeing the wheels of it will correct the
situation.
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY
5.7L ENGINE ONLY – IF
EQUIPPED
This feature offers improved fuel economy by
shutting off four of the engine’s eight cylinders
during light load and cruise conditions. The
system is automatic with no driver inputs or
additional driving skills required.
NOTE:
This system may take some time to return to
full functionality after a battery disconnect.
POWER STEERING
3.6L And 5.7L EngineThe standard power steering system will give
you good vehicle response and increased ease
of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system
will provide mechanical steering capability if
power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is inter-
rupted, it will still be possible to steer your
vehicle. Under these conditions, you will ob-
serve a substantial increase in steering effort,
especially at very low vehicle speeds and dur-
ing parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•
Increased noise levels at the end of the
steering wheel travel are considered nor-
mal and do not indicate that there is a
problem with the power steering system.
• Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the
power steering pump may make noise for
a short amount of time. This is due to the
cold, thick fluid in the steering system.
This noise should be considered normal,
and it does not in any way damage the
steering system.
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WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power
steering assist could pose a safety risk to
yourself and others. Service should be ob-
tained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system
at the end of the steering wheel travel will
increase the steering fluid temperature and it
should be avoided when possible. Damage
to the power steering pump may occur.
3.0L Diesel EngineYour vehicle is equipped with an electro-
hydraulic power steering system that will give
you good vehicle response and increased ease
of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system
will vary its assist to provide light efforts while
parking and good feel while driving. If theelectro-hydraulic power steering system experi-
ences a fault that prevents it from providing
power steering assist, then the system will
provide mechanical steering capability.
CAUTION!
Extreme steering maneuvers may cause the
electrically driven pump to reduce or stop
power steering assistance in order to prevent
damage to the system. Normal operation will
resume once the system is allowed to cool.
If the “SERVICE POWER STEER-
ING SYSTEM” message and a
flashing icon are displayed on the
EVIC screen, it indicates that the
vehicle needs to be taken to the
dealer for service. It is likely the
vehicle has lost power steering assistance. Re-
fer to “Electronic Vehicle Information (EVIC)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for fur-
ther information. If the “POWER STEERING SYSTEM OVER
TEMP” message and an icon are displayed on
the EVIC screen, it indicates that extreme steer-
ing maneuvers may have occurred, which
caused an over temperature condition in the
power steering system. You will lose power
steering assistance momentarily until the over
temperature condition no longer exists. Once
driving conditions are safe, then pull over and
let vehicle idle for a few moments until the light
turns off. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
•
Even if power steering assistance is no
longer operational, it is still possible to
steer the vehicle. Under these conditions
there will be a substantial increase in steer-
ing effort, especially at very low vehicle
speeds and during parking maneuvers.
•
If the condition persists, see your autho-
rized dealer for service.
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