Page 482 of 770

Conditions That Will Cause The Engine To Start Auto-
matically While In Autostop Mode:
•The transmission selector is moved out of DRIVE.
• To maintain cabin temperature comfort.
• HVAC is set to full defrost mode.
• HVAC system temperature or fan speed is manually
adjusted.
• Battery voltage drops too low.
• Low brake vacuum (e.g. after several brake pedal
applications).
• STOP/START OFF switch is pressed.
• A STOP/START system error occurs.
• 4WD system is put into 4LO mode. Conditions That Force An Application Of The Electric
Park Brake While In Autostop Mode:
•
The drivers door is open and brake pedal released.
• The drivers door is open and the drivers seat belt is
unbuckled.
• The engine hood has been opened.
• A STOP/START system error occurs.
If the Electric Park Brake is applied with the engine off,
the engine may require a manual restart and the electric
park brake may require a manual release (depress brake
pedal and press Electric Park Brake switch). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” or
“Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
480 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 483 of 770

To Manually Turn Off The Stop/Start System
1. Push the STOP/START Off switch (located on theswitch bank). The light on the switch will illuminate.
2. The “STOP/START OFF” message will appear in Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or
Driver Information Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Infor-
mation Display (DID)” in “Understanding Your In-
strument Panel” for further information.
3. At the next vehicle stop (after turning off the STOP/ START system) the engine will not be stopped.
4. The STOP/START system will reset itself back to an ON condition every time the ignition is turned off and
back on.
To Manually Turn On The Stop/Start System
Push the STOP/START Off switch (located on the switch
bank). The light on the switch will turn off.
System Malfunction
If there is a malfunction in the STOP/START system, the
system will not shut down the engine. A “SERVICE
STOP/START SYSTEM” message will appear in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic VehicleSTOP/START OFF Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 481
Page 484 of 770

Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)“ in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.
If the “SERVICE STOP/START SYSTEM” message ap-
pears in the EVIC/DID, have the system checked by your
authorized dealer.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine and permits
quicker starts in cold weather.
Connect the cord to a 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet
with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), the engine
block heater is recommended. For ambient temperatures
below -20°F (-29°C), the engine block heater is required.The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood,
behind to the driver ’s side headlamp. Follow the steps
below to properly use the engine block heater:
1. Locate the engine block heater cord (behind the driv-
er ’s side headlamp).
2. Undo the Velcro strap that secures the heater cord in place.
3. Pull the cord to the front of the vehicle and plug it into a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
4. After the vehicle is running, reattach the cord to the Velcro strap and properly stow away behind the
driver ’s side headlamp.
NOTE:
• The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords
are available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
482 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 486 of 770

WARNING!(Continued)
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position/mode, remove the
Key Fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (in a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go) in the ACC or ON/RUN
position/mode. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF (key removal) position. The Key Fob can only be
484 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 487 of 770

removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF position, and the transmission is locked in
PARK whenever the ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF
position.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission
out of PARK, the ignition must be turned to the ON/
RUN position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both
beside the shift lever and in the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display
(DID). To select a gear range, press the lock button on the
shift lever and move the lever rearward or forward. You
must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmission
out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or
REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
speeds (refer toBrake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem in this section). Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.
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).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485
Page 488 of 770

The nine-speed transmission has been developed to meet
the needs of FCA current and future lineup of FWD/
AWD vehicles. Software and calibration is refined to
optimize the customer ’s driving experience and fuel
economy. By design, some vehicle and driveline combi-
nations utilize 9th gear only in very specific driving
situations and conditions.
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 has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
positions. Manual downshifts can be made using the ERS
shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation in this section for further information). Mov-
ing the shift lever into the ERS (-/+) position (beside the DRIVE position) activates ERS mode, displays the cur-
rent gear in the instrument cluster, and prevents auto-
matic upshifts beyond this gear. In ERS mode, toggling
the shift lever forward (-) or rearward (+) will change the
highest available gear.
NOTE:
If the shift lever cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the ERS (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position). In ERS mode, the transmission gear
limit (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Move the shift lever to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 492 of 770

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
•When shifting into PARK, press the lock button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P).
• With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
490 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 494 of 770

During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
SPORT — If Equipped
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.
SPORT mode is activated using the rotary switch on the
center console. Refer toSelec-Terrainin this section for
further information.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth gear regardless of which forward gear is
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue
to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
492 STARTING AND OPERATING