2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE trailer towing

The BSM detection zone covers approximately one lane
on both sides of the vehicle (12 ft or 3.8 m). The zone
starts at the outside rear view mirror and extends ap-
proximately 23 ft (7 m) to the rear of the vehicle. The BSM
system monitors the detection zones on both sides of the
vehicle when the vehicle speed has reached approxi-
mately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher and will alert the
driver of vehicles in these areas.
NOTE:
•The BSM system does NOT alert the driver about
rapidly approaching vehicles that are outside the de-
tection zones.
• The BSM system detection zone DOES NOT change if
your vehicle is towing a trailer. Therefore, visually
verify the adjacent lane is clear for both your vehicle
and trailer before making a lane change. If the trailer or
other object (i.e., bicycle, sports equipment) extends beyond the side of your vehicle, this may result in the
BSM warning light remaining illuminated the entire
time the vehicle is in a forward gear.
The area on the rear fascia where the radar sensors are
located must remain free of snow, ice, and dirt/road
contamination so that the BSM system can function
properly. Do not block the area of the rear fascia where
the radar sensors are located with foreign objects (bum-
per stickers, bicycle racks, etc.).
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet,
heavy traffic, and complex driving situations (i.e.,
in highway construction zones).
• When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
when driving on roads that are winding, icy, snow-
covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or downhill
slopes.
• When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
• When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a
constant speed.
The Cruise Control system has two control modes:
• Adaptive Cruise Control mode for maintaining an
appropriate distance between vehicles. •
Normal (fixed speed) electronic speed control mode
for cruising at a constant preset speed. For additional
information, refer to “Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise
Control Mode” in this section.
NOTE: Normal (fixed speed) electronic speed control
will not react to preceding vehicles. Always be aware of
the mode selected.
You can change the mode by using the Cruise Control
buttons. The two control modes function differently.
Always confirm which mode is selected.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control buttons (located on the right side of the
steering wheel) operates the ACC system.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

Precautions While Driving With ACC
In certain driving situations, ACC may have detection
issues. In these cases, ACC may brake late or unexpect-
edly. The driver needs to stay alert and may need to
intervene.
Towing A Trailer
NOTE:Towing a trailer is not advised when using ACC.
Offset Driving
ACC may not detect a vehicle in the same lane that is
offset from your direct line of travel, or a vehicle merging
in from a side lane. There may not be sufficient distance
to the vehicle ahead. The offset vehicle may move in and
out of the line of travel, which can cause your vehicle to
brake or accelerate unexpectedly.
Turns And Bends
When driving on a curve with ACC engaged, the system
may decrease the vehicle speed and acceleration for
stability reasons, with no target vehicle detected. Once
Offset Driving Condition Example
206 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

12. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
13. Brake Warning Light This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 285

EVIC Amber Telltales
This area will show reconfigurable amber caution tell-
tales. These telltales include:
•Low Fuel Telltale
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0 gal
(11.0 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added.
• Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
• Transmission Temperature Warning Telltale
This telltale indicates that the transmission
fluid temperature is running hot. This may
occur with severe usage, such as trailer towing.
If this telltale turns on, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
•
Service Forward Collision Warming — If Equipped
This light warns the driver of a potential colli-
sion with the vehicle in front and prompts the
driver to take action in order to avoid the
collision. For further information, refer to
“Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” in “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
• Service Adaptive Cruise Control — If Equipped
This light will turn on when a ACC is not
operating and needs service. For further infor-
mation, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in “Understanding The Features Of
Your Vehicle.”
300 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Reformulated Gasoline .................499
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............499
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......500
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................501
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................501
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................502
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............503
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .503
▫ E-85 General Information ...............503
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................504
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................504
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............505▫
Starting ........................... .506
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .506
▫ Replacement Parts ....................506
▫ Maintenance ....................... .506
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .507
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release .........509
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................510
▫ Certification Label ....................510
 TRAILER TOWING .....................512
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............512
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............516
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ........................... .517
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STARTING AND OPERATING 393

▫Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover Removal (Summit
Models) — If Equipped .................518
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............519
▫ Towing Requirements ..................520
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .525
 SNOW PLOW ........................ .527
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................528
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .528
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .529
▫ Recreational Towing — Quadra–Trac II® /
Quadra–Drive® II Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .529
394 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
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 all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics 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 Paddle Shift
switches (refer to
Paddle Shift Mode 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.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depend-
ing on engine and transmission temperature as well as
vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
SPORT (S)
This mode alters the transmission’s automatic shift
schedule for sportier driving. Upshift speeds are in-
creased to make full use of available engine power. To
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 409