2015 JEEP RENEGADE towing

•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting And Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
•Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
•An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 417

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent
shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you can use the
AutoStick shift control to manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
AutoStick
•When using the AutoStick shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “5” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “4” or
“3” if needed to maintain the desired speed.
•To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as neces-
sary to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to
a higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD)FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE (4WD)
TOWING
CONDITION
WHEELS OFF THE
GROUND
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
MANUAL/
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
Flat TowNONE NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Dolly TowREARNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
FRONTOKOKNOT ALLOWED
On TrailerALLBEST METHOD BEST METHODOK
NOTE:When recreationally towing your vehicle, always
follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state
and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional
details.
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recreational Towing
Models With Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the front wheels
are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a
tow dolly (front wheels off the ground) or vehicle trailer
(all four wheels off the ground). If using a tow dolly,
follow this procedure:
•Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
•Drive the front wheels onto the tow dolly.
•Apply the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). Place the
transmission in PARK.
•Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
•Release the EPB.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the
drivetrain will result. If this vehicle requires tow-
ing, make sure the drive wheels are OFF the
ground.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 423

Models With Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground,
or using a towing dolly) is NOT ALLOWED. This vehicle
may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer provided all
four wheels are OFF the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle with ANY of its wheels on the
ground can cause severe transmission and/or power
transfer unit damage. Damage from improper towing
is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
424 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Road Tire Installation...................486
!TIRE SERVICE KIT STORAGE..............487
▫Tire Service Kit.......................488
!JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES...........492
▫Preparations For Jump-Start..............492
▫Jump-Starting Procedure................494
!ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM . .496
!SUPPLY OF EMERGENCY................497
!IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS............498
!SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................499
!IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE.......501
!FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............503
!TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........505
▫Front Wheel Drive (FWD)................506
▫Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)................507
!EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . .507
426 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
FWD MODELSFOUR WHEEL DRIVE
Towing
Condition
Wheels
OFF the
Ground
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMIS-
SION
AUTOMATIC/MANUAL
TRANSMISSION 4X4
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Wheel Lift
or Dolly
To w
RearNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
FrontOKOKNOT ALLOWED
FlatbedALL BEST METHODBEST METHODOK
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.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 505