2017 JEEP CHEROKEE emergency towing

Battery Charge Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Battery Charge Warning Light
This light illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays on while the engine is run-
ning, there may be a malfunction with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible. This indicates a possible problem with the electrical system or a related component.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump-Starting” in “In Case Of Emergency.”
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning LightThis light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a problem
is detected while the engine is running, the light will either stay on or flash depending on the nature
of the problem. Cycle the ignition key when the vehicle is safely and completely stopped and the
transmission is placed in the PARK position. The light should turn off. If the light remains on with
the vehicle under power, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash when the engine vehicle under power, immediate service is required
and you may experience reduced performance, and your vehicle may require towing. The light will
come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
148 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an excessively
swaying trailer and will take the appropriate actions to
attempt to stop the sway. TSC will become active automati-
cally once an excessively swaying trailer is recognized.
Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying.
Always use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer to “Trailer
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power
may be reduced and you may feel the brakes being applied
to individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from
swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in the
“Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle down,
stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the trailer
load to eliminate trailer sway.
Ready Alert Braking (RAB)
Ready Alert Braking may reduce the time required to reach
full braking during emergency braking situations. It antici-
pates when an emergency braking situation may occur by
monitoring how fast the throttle is released by the driver.
The EBC will prepare the brake system for a panic stop.
Rain Brake Support (RBS)
Rain Brake Support may improve braking performance in
wet conditions. It will periodically apply a small amount of
brake pressure to remove any water buildup on the front
brake rotors. It functions when the windshield wipers are
in LO or HI speed. When Rain Brake Support is active,
there is no notification to the driver and no driver interac-
tion is required.
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
Dynamic Steering Torque is a feature of the ESC and EPS
modules that provides torque at the steering wheel for
certain driving conditions in which the ESC module is
detecting vehicle instability. The torque that the steering
wheel receives is only meant to help the driver realize
optimal steering behavior in order to reach/maintain vehicle
stability. The only notification the driver receives that the
feature is active is the torque applied to the steering wheel.
178 SAFETY

CAUTION!
•Before moving the transmission gear selector out of
PARK, you must turn the ignition to the ON/RUN
mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise,
damage to the gear selector could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can
damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that you
have engaged the transmission into the PARK position:
• When shifting into PARK, press the lock button on the
gear selector and firmly move the selector 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 gear selector
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.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES ............431
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ...............432
▫ Jump Starting Procedure ..................433
 REFUELLING IN EMERGENCY .............435
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release ..........435
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .............436
 GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE ..............437
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ..............437
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............439
▫ Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models ...........441
▫ 4x4 Models With 1–Speed Power Transfer Unit . .441
▫ 4x4 Models With 2–Speed Power Transfer Unit . .442
▫ Recovery Strap — If Equipped .............443
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .............................. .444
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ............444
390 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the transmis-
sion and drivetrain are operable, disabled 4x4 vehicles may
also be towed as described under “Recreational Towing” in
the “Starting And Operating” section.
4X4 MODELS
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The GroundFWD
MODELS 1–SPEED
POWER TRANSFER UNIT 2–SPEED
POWER TRANSFER UNIT
Flat Tow NONENOT
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED See instructions under
“Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating”
• Transmission in PARK
• Power Transfer Unit
in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly
To w Rear
NOT
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED
Front OKNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALLBEST
METHOD OK
BEST METHOD
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 439

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 equipment
manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. 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.
NOTE:
•You must ensure that the Auto Park Brake feature is
disabled before towing this vehicle, to avoid inadvertent
Electric Park Brake engagement. The Auto Park Brake
feature is enabled or disabled via the customer program-
mable features in the Uconnect Settings.
• Vehicles with a discharged battery or total electrical
failure when the electric parking brake (EPB) is engaged,
will need a wheel dolly or jack to raise the rear wheels
off the ground when moving the vehicle onto a flatbed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode. Note that the Safehold feature
will engage the Electric Park Brake whenever the driver’s
door is opened (if the ignition is ON, transmission is not in PARK, and brake pedal is released). If you are towing this
vehicle with the ignition in the ON/RUN mode, you must
manually disable the Electric Park Brake each time the
driver’s door is opened, by pressing the brake pedal and
then releasing the EPB.
If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Gear Selector Override” in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK so
that the vehicle can be moved.
CAUTION!
•
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and
remains released, while being towed.
440 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, this vehicle must
towed with the front wheels OFF the ground (using a
towing dolly, or wheel lift equipment with the front wheels
raised).
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. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
4x4 Models With 1–Speed Power Transfer Unit
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 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 require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or power
transfer unit damage. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 441

4x4 Models With 2–Speed Power Transfer Unit
The manufacturer recommends towing with all four
wheelsOFFthe 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.
If flatbed equipment is not available and the Power Trans-
fer Unit is operable, vehicles with a 2–speed Power Trans-
fer Unit may be towed (in the forward direction, with ALL
wheels on the ground), under the following conditions:
• The Power Transfer Unit must be in NEUTRAL (N).
• The transmission must be in PARK.
• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and
remains released, while being towed.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operat-
ing” for detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
442 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY