2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE steering

▫Shifting Procedures....................443
▫Quadra-Drive® II System — If Equipped.....447
!SELEC-TERRAIN™ — IF EQUIPPED........448
▫Description..........................448
▫Driver Information Display (DID) Messages . . .450
!QUADRA-LIFT™ — IF EQUIPPED..........450
▫Description..........................450
▫Air Suspension Modes..................454
▫Driver Information Display (DID) Messages . . .455
▫Operation...........................455
!ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS................457
!OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS...............457
▫Quadra-Lift™ — If Equipped.............461
▫When To Use 4WD LOW Range — If
Equipped...........................461
▫Driving Through Water.................462
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........463
▫Hill Climbing........................464
▫Traction Downhill.....................465
▫After Driving Off-Road.................465
!POWER STEERING.....................466
▫3.6L Engine..........................466
▫5.7L Engine..........................467
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............468
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE ONLY
— IF EQUIPPED.......................469
!PARKING BRAKE......................469
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The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever provides PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, DRIVE and SPORT shift positions. Once in
the DRIVE range, tapping the shift lever rearward will
toggle between SPORT mode and DRIVE mode. You do
not need to push the shift lever button when toggling
between DRIVE and SPORT modes. Manual shifts can be
made using the shift paddles mounted on the steering
wheel. Pressing the shift paddles (-/+) while in the
DRIVE or SPORT position will manually select the trans-
mission gear, and will display the current gear in the
instrument cluster. Refer to#Paddle Shift Mode#in this
section for further information.
Shift Lever
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NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Paddle Shift Mode
Paddle Shift mode is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving you more
control of the vehicle. Paddle Shift allows you to maxi-
mize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situa-
tions.
Operation
When the transmission is in DRIVE or SPORT mode, it
will operate automatically, shifting between the eight
available gears. To activate Paddle Shift mode, simply tap
one of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-)
while in DRIVE or SPORT mode. Tapping (-) to enter
Paddle Shift mode will downshift the transmission to the
next lower gear, while using (+) to enter Paddle Shift
mode will retain the current gear. When Paddle Shift
mode is active, the current transmission gear is displayed
in the instrument cluster.
In Paddle Shift mode, the transmission will shift up or
down when (+/-) is manually selected by the driver,
unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition would
result. It will remain in the selected gear until another
upshift or downshift is chosen, except as described
below.
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launches, to minimize wheel slippage. If equipped
with air suspension, the default ride height for Snow is
NRH.
•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
default ride height for Sand is NRH.
•Mud– Off road calibration for use on low traction
surfaces such as mud. Driveline is maximized 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.
•Rock– Off road calibration only available in 4WD Low
range. The vehicle is raised (if equipped with Air
Suspension) for improved ground clearance. Traction
based tuning with improved steer-ability for use on
high traction off-road surfaces. Use for low speed
obstacles such as large rocks, deep ruts, etc. If
equipped with air suspension, the vehicle level will
change to Off-Road 2. If the Selec-Terrain™ switch is in
ROCK mode, and the transfer case is switched from
4WD Low to 4WD High, the Selec-Terrain™ system
will return to AUTO.
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Traction Downhill
When descending mountains or hills, use Hill Descent or
Selec-Speed Control to avoid repeated heavy braking.
If not equipped with Hill Descent or Selec-Speed Control
use the following procedure:
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.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
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, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. 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, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, 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 collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving 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.
POWER STEERING
3.6L Engine
Your 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 sys-
tem will vary its assist to provide light efforts while parking
and good feel while driving. If the electro-hydraulic power
steering system experiences a fault that prevents it from
providing power steering assist, then the system will pro-
vide mechanical steering capability.
CAUTION!
Extreme steering maneuvers may cause the electri-
cally 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.
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If the “SERVICE POWER STEERING” message
and a flashing icon are displayed on the DID
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. Refer to
“Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
If the “POWER STEERING HOT” message and an icon
are displayed on the DID screen, it indicates that extreme
steering 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 “Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
•Even if power steering assistance is no longer opera-
tional, it is still possible to steer the vehicle. Under
these conditions there will be a substantial increase in
steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
•If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for
service.
5.7L Engine
The 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.
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If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing 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.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained 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.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
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