2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE transmission

NOTE:Refer to “Selec-Terrain® – If Equipped” for fur-
ther information on the various positions and their
intended usages.
Shifting Procedures
4WDHITo4WDLOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position or the engine running,
shift the transmission into “N”, and press the “4WD
LOW” button once on the transfer case switch. The “4WD
LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster will begin
to flash and remain on solid when the shift is complete.
Transfer Case Switch
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, or a
transfer case motor temperature protection condition
exists, a “For 4x4 Low Slow Below 3 mph (5 km/h) Put
Trans in “N” Press 4 Low” message will flash from the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
4WD LOW To 4WD HI
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position or the engine running,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and press the
“4WD LOW” button once on the transfer case switch. The
“4WD LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster
will flash and go out when the shift is complete. NOTE:
•
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, or a transfer
case motor temperature protection condition exists, a
“For 4x4 High Slow Below 3 mph (5 km/h) Put Trans
in N Press 4 Low” message will flash from the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
• Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped; however, difficulty may
occur due to the mating clutch teeth not being prop-
erly aligned. Several attempts may be required for
clutch teeth alignment and shift completion to occur.
The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling 0 to
3 mph (0 to 5 km/h). If the vehicle is moving faster
than 3 mph (5 km/h), the transfer case will not allow
the shift.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417

Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear drive shafts 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.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the engine running.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into “N”. 4. If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift™ air suspen-
sion, ensure the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
5. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press and hold the recessed transfer case “N” button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the
“N” symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress.
The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the
shift to “N” is complete. A “FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message will display on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

6. After the shift is completed and the “N” light stays on,release the “N” button.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement. NOTE:
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a “To
Tow Vehicle Safely, Read Neutral Shift Procedure in
Owners Manual” message will flash from the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into “N”.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419

6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press and holdthe recessed transfer case “N” button (located by the
selector switch) for one second.
7. When the “N” indicator light turns off, release the “N” button. 8. After the “N” button has been released, the transfer
case will shift to the position indicated by the selector
switch.
9. Shift the transmission into PARK. Turn the engine OFF.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
NOTE:
• Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the “N” button, and must continue to
be met until the shift has been completed. If any of
these requirements are not met prior to pressing the
“N” button or are no longer met during the shift, the
“N” indicator light will flash continuously until all
requirements are met or until the “N” button is re-
leased.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

Selec-Terrain™ consists of the following positions:
•Snow – Tuning set for additional stability in inclement
weather. Use on and off road on loose traction surfaces
such as snow. When in Snow mode (depending on
certain operating conditions), the transmission may
use second gear (rather than first gear) during launches, to minimize wheel slippage. If equipped
with air suspension, the level will change to Normal
Ride Height (NRH) if the transfer case is in high range.
The level will change to Off-Road 1 if the transfer case
is in Low range.
• 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. If equipped with air suspension, the
level will change to NRH.
• Sand – Off road calibration for use on low traction
surfaces such as sand or wet grass. Driveline is maxi-
mized for traction. Some binding may be felt on less
forgiving surfaces. The electronic brake controls are set
to limit traction control management of throttle and
wheel spin. If equipped with air suspension, the level
will change to Off-Road 1.
Selec-Terrain™ Switch
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine oil, transmission oil, axle,
transfer case) to assure the fluids have not been contami-
nated. Contaminated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance)
should be flushed/changed as soon as possible to pre-
vent component damage.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD LOW if necessary.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information. Do not shift to a
lower gear than necessary to maintain forward motion.
Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction
will be lost.Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:
Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill, shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD LOW. Use
first gear and 4WD LOW for very steep hills.
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 REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill,
allowing the compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control
vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or
skidding the tires.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 437

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 care-
fully 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 Downhill
Shift 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 transmis-
sion whenever possible.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-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.
438 STARTING AND OPERATING