2017 JEEP CHEROKEE User Guide

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

Recovery Strap — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be included with a recovery strap.
Recovery straps do not act like traditional tow straps,
chains, or winch cables.
WARNING!
Recovery straps should only be used in emergencies to
rescue stranded vehicles. Only use Recovery straps on
vehicles that fit within the recommended GVW of your
recovery strap. Only attach recovery straps to OE
recommended anchor points or emergency towing an-
chor points. Never attach to tow ball or vehicle tie
down point, these are not designed for this purpose.
Never attach to vehicle steering, drive train, or any
other suspension components. NEVER pull a strap
over sharp edges or abrasive surfaces that can damage
the recovery strap. NEVER use a damaged strap, it has
reduced strength. DO NOT attempt to repair straps.
ONLY persons involved in the recovery should be in
either vehicle. No passengers. Anyone inside the ve-
hicles can be struck by strap recoil, causing serious
injury. MOVE bystanders at least 40 ft (12.2 m) from
the recovery area when using the recovery strap.Using Recovery Strap
1. Review all warnings and instructions first.
2. Position the recovery vehicle.
3. Connect the recovery strap.
4. Add a recovery damper or blanket.
5. Clear the danger zone.
6. Safely and slowly start pulling.
7. Disconnect the recovery strap after both vehicle are
secure and parked.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 443

ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System (EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).
444 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................447
▫ Maintenance Plan ...................... .449
▫ Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ............450
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................451
▫ 2.4L Compartment ..................... .451
▫ 3.2L Compartment ..................... .452
▫ Checking Oil Level .....................453
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................453
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................454
 DEALER SERVICE ...................... .455
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .455
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .457
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................457
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............461▫
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............462
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .466
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................467
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .472
▫ Cooling System ....................... .474
▫ Brake System ........................ .478
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................479
 RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................481
 TIRES ............................... .481
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................481
▫ Tires — General Information ..............489
▫ Tire Types ........................... .495
▫ Spar

e Tires — If Equipped ................496
▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..............498
8

▫Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .............500
▫ Tire Rotation Recommendations ............501
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..........503
▫ Treadwear ........................... .503
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .503
▫ Temperature Grades .....................503
 STORING THE VEHICLE ..................504 
BODYWORK .......................... .505
▫ Protection From Atmospheric Agents ........505
▫ Body And Underbody Maintenance ..........505
▫ Preserving The Bodywork .................506
 INTERIORS ........................... .507
▫ Seats And Fabric Parts ...................507
▫ Plastic And Coated Parts ..................508
▫ Leather Parts ......................... .508
▫ Glass Surfaces ........................ .509
446 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE