2014 JEEP CHEROKEE Owners Manual

CAUTION!
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead
to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of clutch or transmission failure
during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
RECOVERY STRAP — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be included with a recovery strap.
Recovery straps do not act like traditional tow straps,
chains, or winch cables.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 583

WARNING!
Recovery straps should only be used in emergencies to
rescue stranded vehicles. Only use Recovery straps on
vehicles that fit within the recommended GVW of
your recovery strap. Only attach recovery straps to OE
recommended anchor points or emergency towing
anchor points. Never attach to tow ball or vehicle tie
down point, these are not designed for this purpose.
Never attach to vehicle steering, drive train, or any
other suspension components. NEVER pull a strap
over sharp edges or abrasive surfaces that can damage
the recovery strap. NEVER use a damaged strap, it has
reduced strength. DO NOT attempt to repair straps.
ONLY persons involved in the recovery should be in
either vehicle. No passengers. Anyone inside the ve-
hicles can be struck by strap recoil, causing serious
injury. MOVE bystanders at least 40 feet from the
recovery area when using the recovery strap.
Using Recovery Strap
1. Review all warnings and instructions first.
2. Position the recovery vehicle.
3. Connect the recovery strap.
4. Add a recovery damper or blanket.
5. Clear the danger zone.
6. Safely and slowly start pulling.
7. Disconnect the recovery strap after both vehicle aresecure and parked.
584 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, carefully separatethe shifter bezel and boot assembly from the center
console bezel.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert a small screwdriver or similar tool down into the shift lever override access hole (at the right front
corner of the shift lever assembly), and push and hold
the override release lever down. 6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever boot.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled 4x4 ve-
hicles may also be towed as described under “Recre-
ational Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 585

4X4 MODELS
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
the Ground FWD MODELS 1–SPEED
POWER TRANSFER UNIT 2–SPEED
POWER TRANSFER UNIT
Flat Tow NONE NOT
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
See instructions under
“Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating”
• Transmission in PARK
• Power Transfer Unit in
NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift
or
Dolly Tow Rear
NOT
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED
Front OKNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST
METHOD OK
BEST METHOD
586 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Shift Lever Override” in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK
so that the vehicle can be moved.CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, this vehicle must
towed with the front wheels OFF the ground (using a
towing dolly, or wheel lift equipment with the front
wheels raised).6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 587

CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Models With 1–Speed
Power Transfer Unit
The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels
OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed,
or with one end of vehicle raised and the opposite end on
a towing dolly.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT tow this vehicle with ANY of its wheels
on the ground. Damage to the drivetrain will result.
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or power transfer unit
will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
•
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
power transfer unit damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
588 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Models With 2–Speed
Power Transfer Unit
The manufacturer recommends towing with all four
wheelsOFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed or
with one end of the vehicle raised and the opposite end
on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available and the Power
Transfer Unit is operable, vehicles with a 2–speed Power
Transfer Unit may be towed (in the forward direction,
with ALLwheels on the ground), under the following
conditions:
• The Power Transfer Unit must be in NEUTRAL (N).
• The transmission must be in PARK.Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for detailed instructions.CAUTION!
•
Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or power transfer unit
will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
power transfer unit damage. Damage from im-
proper towing is not covered under the New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 589