2015 JEEP CHEROKEE Owners Manual

Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.
2-Speed Four-Wheel Drive (4X4) — If Equipped
2-Speed 4x4 Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 495

The Four-Wheel Drive is fully automatic in the normal
driving mode. The Selec-Terrain buttons provide three
selectable mode positions:
•4WD LOW
•REAR LOCK (If Equipped)
•NEUTRAL
When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOW
range position can be used to provide an additional gear
reduction which allows for increased torque to be deliv-
ered to both the front and rear wheels. 4WD LOW is
intended for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the normal
driving mode 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 circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the driveline components.
2-Speed 4x4 Switch (with Rear Lock)
496 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
4WD system mode position, see the information below:
NEUTRAL
This range disengages the driveline from the powertrain.
It is to be used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for further information.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully
engaging the parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
4WD LOW
This range is for low speed four-wheel drive. It provides
an additional gear reduction which allows for increased
torque to be delivered to both the front and rear wheels
while providing maximum pulling power for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 497

NOTE:Refer to “Selec-Terrain® – If Equipped” for fur-
ther information on the various positions and their
intended usages.
Shifting Procedures
Shifting Into 4X4 LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position and the engine run-
ning, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and press
the “4WD LOW” button once. The “4WD LOW” indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster will begin to flash and
remain on solid when the shift is complete.Selec-Terrain Switch
498 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If shift conditions/interlocks are not met a mes-
sage will flash from the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) with
instructions on how to complete the requested shift.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Driver Information Display (DID) in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Shifting Out Of 4X4 LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position and the engine run-
ning, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and press
the “4WD LOW” button once. The “4WD LOW” indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster will flash and go out
when the shift is complete.
NOTE:
•If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a message
will flash from the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) with
instructions on how to complete the requested shift.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
•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 4WD system will not allow
the shift.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 499

NEUTRAL Shift Procedure
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit
in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully
engaging the parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the
transmission to PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press and hold
the recessed power transfer unit NEUTRAL (N) button
(located by the selector switch) for four seconds. The
light behind the NEUTRAL (N) symbol will blink,
indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blink-
ing (stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is
complete.
500 STARTING AND OPERATING

7. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N)
light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
8. Start the engine.
9. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
10. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
11. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
12. Apply the parking brake.
13. Shift the transmission into PARK, turn the engine
OFF, and remove the key fob.
Repeat steps 1-7 to shift out of NEUTRAL.
Rear Electronic Locker (E-Locker) System — If
Equipped
The Rear E-Locker System features a mechanical locking
rear differential to provide better traction in the 4WD
LOW position. The “REAR LOCK” button is on the
Selec-Terrain Knob.
Neutral Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 501

Activating The Rear E-Locker
To activate the Rear E-Locker System, the following
conditions must be met:
1. The 4WD system must be in 4WD LOW.
2. The ignition switch in the ON position and the engine
running.
3. Vehicle speed must be below 15 MPH (24 km/h).
4. To engage Rear E-Locker, press the REAR LOCK
button once.
Deactivating The Rear E-Locker System
To deactivate the Rear E-Locker System, the following
conditions must be met:
1. Rear E-Locker must be engaged, and the REAR LOCK
indicator light on.
2. The ignition switch in the ON position and the engine
running.
3. To disengage Rear E-Locker, press the REAR LOCK
button once.
NOTE:
•It may also be necessary to drive slowly steering back
and forth to complete engagement and disengagement
of the E-Locker.
•When engaging Rear E-Locker, the indicator lights in
the instrument cluster and on the REAR LOCK button
will begin to flash. When the shift is complete the
REAR LOCK indicator lights will remain on.
•When disengaging Rear E-Locker, the indicator lights
in the instrument cluster and on the REAR LOCK
button will begin to flash. When the shift is complete
the REAR LOCK indicator lights will remain off.
502 STARTING AND OPERATING