2017 JEEP CHEROKEE User Guide

•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires” in “Servicing And
Maintenance” for the proper tire replacement proce-
dures. Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capac-
ity will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
• Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible per-
sonal injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically actu-
ated 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 (453 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem 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 dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (453 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.
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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 harness 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.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
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Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent shift-
ing does occur while in DRIVE, use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control to select a lower gear range.
NOTE:Using a lower gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions will improve per-
formance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
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Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
4X4 Models
Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground Front-Wheel
Drive
(FWD)
Models 1-Speed Power
Transfer Unit 2-Speed Power Transfer Unit
Flat Tow NONE NOT
ALLOWED NOT
ALLOWED See Instructions:
•
Before towing, See your authorized dealer for the
Mopar flat tow wiring kit
• It is recommended to charge the battery of the
towed vehicle during recreational towing
• Transmission in PARK
• Power transfer unit in NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
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4X4 Models
Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground Front-Wheel
Drive
(FWD)
Models 1-Speed Power
Transfer Unit 2-Speed Power Transfer Unit
Dolly Tow Front OK NOT AL-
LOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT AL-
LOWED NOT AL-
LOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OKOK
NOTE:
•You must ensure that the Auto Park Brake feature is disabled before towing this vehicle, to avoid inadvertent Elec-
tric Park Brake engagement. The Auto Park Brake feature is enabled or disabled via the customer programmable
features in the Uconnect Settings.
•When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial High-
way Safety offices for additional details.
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Recreational Towing — Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Models
DO NOTflat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for front-wheel drive models) is al-
lowed ONLY if the front wheels are OFFthe ground. This
may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If
using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Apply the parking brake. Place the transmission in PARK. Turn the engine OFF.
4. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal. 7. Release the parking brake.
8. Turn the ignition OFF, remove the key fob, and release
the brake pedal.
CAUTION!
•Towing with the front wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and
remains released, while being towed.
Recreational Towing — 4X4 Models With 1-Speed
Power Transfer Unit
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do not
have a NEUTRAL (N) position in the power transfer unit.
NOTE: This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle
trailer provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.
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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 Warranty.
Recreational Towing — 4X4 Models With 2-Speed
Power Transfer Unit
The power transfer unit must be shifted into NEUTRAL
(N) and the transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to
the 4WD selector switch. Shifts into and out of NEUTRAL
(N) can take place with the selector switch in any mode
position.
CAUTION!
•Failure to use the proper Mopar wiring kit to power
the steering system during recreational towing may
damage the vehicle’s steering system and/or other
vehicle components.
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4x4 vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or power transfer
unit damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this vehicle
backwards can cause severe damage to the power
transfer unit.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the power transfer unit is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•
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.
(Continued)
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CAUTION!(Continued)
•Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and
remains released, while being towed.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N) position disen-
gages both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
Use the following procedure to shift the 4WD system into
NEUTRAL (N).
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the
power transfer unit is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the transmission to PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN mode, but do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the N
symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress. The light
will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to
NEUTRAL (N) is complete.
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