2016 JEEP RENEGADE 4WD

Flowing Water
If the water is swift flowing and rising (as in storm run-off)
avoid crossing until the water level recedes and/or the
flow rate is reduced. If you must cross flowing-water, avoid
depths in excess of 9 inches (22 cm). The flowing water can
erode the streambed causing your vehicle to sink into
deeper water. Determine exit point(s) that are downstream
of your entry point to allow for drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than 19 inches
(48 cm), and reduce speed appropriately to minimize
wave effects. Maximum speed in 19 inches (48 cm) of
water is less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine, transmission, Power Trans-
fer Unit and Rear Drive Module) to assure they have notbeen contaminated. Contaminated fluids and lubricants
(milky, foamy in appearance) should be flushed/changed
as soon as possible to prevent component damage.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the 4WD system to the appropriate terrain
mode, using 4WD LOW if necessary. Refer to “Four-
Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information. Do not shift to a lower gear than
necessary to maintain headway. Over-revving the engine
can spin the wheels and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
7
STARTING AND OPERATING 413

Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the 4WD System to 4WD LOW. Use
first gear and 4WD LOW for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help regulate your
speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle speed,
apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding the
tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back straight
down a hill in REVERSE gear carefully. Never back
down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the brake.
NOTE:Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill -
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
414 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the 4WD
System to 4WD LOW range or Select Hill Descent
Control if equipped (refer toElectronic Brake Control
Systemin this section for further information). Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four wheels
turning against engine compression drag. This will per-
mit 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.
•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.
7
STARTING AND OPERATING 415

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD)FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE (4WD)
TOWING
CONDITIONWHEELS OFF THE
GROUNDAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSIONMANUAL
TRANSMISSIONMANUAL/
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
Flat Tow NONE NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow REAR NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
FRONT OK OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD OK
NOTE:
•When recreational towing your vehicle, always follow
applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and
provincial Highway Safety offices for additional de-
tails.•You must ensure that the Auto Park Brake feature is
disabled before towing this vehicle, to avoid inadver-
tent Electric Park Brake engagement. The Auto Park
Brake feature is enabled or disabled via the customer
programmable features in the Uconnect Settings.
430 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
432 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SERVICE KIT STORAGE..............495
▫Tire Service Kit — If Equipped............495
JUMP STARTING......................499
▫Preparations For Jump Start..............500
▫Jump Starting Procedure................502
Enhanced Accident Response System.........504
▫System Reset Procedure.................504
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY.............506
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS............506SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................507
IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE.......509
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............512
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........514
▫Front Wheel Drive (FWD)................515
▫Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)................516
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS —
IF EQUIPPED.........................516
434 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

NOTE:Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released,
and remains released, while being towed.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT tow this vehicle with ANY of its wheels
on the ground. Damage to the drivetrain will result.
•Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or power transfer unit
will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
power transfer unit damage. Damage from im-
proper towing is not covered under the New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be
one in the rear and two mounted on the front of the
vehicle. The rear hook will be located on the driver’s side
of the vehicle.
516 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

The suggested Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Tire rotation
method is the “forward-cross” shown in the following
diagram.CAUTION!
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles de-
pends on tires of equal size, type and circumference
on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause
damage to the power transfer unit. Tire rotation
schedule should be followed to balance tire wear.
STORING THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle should remain stationary for more than a
month, observe the following precautions:
•Park your vehicle in a covered, dry and possibly airy
location the windows open slightly;
•Check that the Electric Park Brake is not engaged.
•Disconnect the negative (-) terminal from the battery
post and be sure that the battery is fully charged.
During storage check battery charge quarterly.
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Tire Rotation
592 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE