the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer
condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster), starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during accel-
eration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, including
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also
cannot prevent accidents resulting from loss of vehicle
control due to inappropriate driver input for the con-
ditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
•Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly maintain
your vehicle, may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle, and may negatively affect the perfor-
mance of the ESC system. Changes to the steering
system, suspension, braking system, tire type and size
or wheel size may adversely affect ESC performance.
Improperly inflated and unevenly worn tires may also
degrade ESC performance. Any vehicle modification or
poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the effective-
ness of the ESC system can increase the risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
5
SAFETY 219
ESC Full Off
This mode is entered by pushing and holding the ESC OFF
switch for five seconds.
In theESC Full Off mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are disabled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESC is unavailable. In an
emergency evasive maneuver, the ESC system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESC Full Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only. When in
ESC Full Off mode, ESC and TCS, except for the
Brake Limited Differential (BLD) feature described in the
TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches an
approximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). For speeds at or
exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h) the ESC goes
into ESC Partial Off. When the vehicle speed drops below
35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to ESC Full
Off. To turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF
switch. This will restore normal “ESC On” mode of opera-
tion. The ESC Off Indicator Light” will always be illumi-
nated when ESC is in ESC Partial OffandESC full Off.
WARNING!
With the ESC in ESC Full Offmode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by ESC
and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive ma-
neuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage to
assist in maintaining stability. The ESC Full Off
mode is intended for off-road use only.
ESC OFF Switch
5
SAFETY 221
4L Range (4WD Models)
ESC Full Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4L range.
Whenever the vehicle is started in 4L range, or the transfer
case (if equipped) is shifted from 4H range or NEUTRAL to
4L range, the ESC system will be in this mode. In 4L range,
ESC and TCS, except for the Brake Limited Differential (BLD)
feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until the
vehicle reaches an approximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).
For speeds at or exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h)
the ESC goes intoESC Partial OffWhen the vehicle speed
drops below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to
ESC Full Off. The ESC is in ESC Full Offat low vehicle
speeds in 4L range so that it will not interfere with off-road
driving, but the ESC function returns to provide the stability
feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The “ESC OFF
Indicator Light” will always be illuminated in 4L range when
ESC is in ESC Full Off orESC Partial Off.
NOTE:The “ESC OFF” message will display and an audible
chime will sound when the gear selector is placed in the
PARK position from any other position, and then moved out
of the PARK position. This will occur even if the message was
previously cleared.
WARNING!
With the ESC in ESC Full Offmode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by ESC
and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive ma-
neuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage to
assist in maintaining stability. The ESC Full Off
mode is intended for off-road use only.
2H Range (4WD Models) Or 2WD Models
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2H range and
on 2WD vehicles.
ESC Partial Off
When in ESC Partial Off mode, the TCS portion of ESC
(except for the limited slip feature described in the TCS
section), has been disabled and the ESC Off Indicator
Light will be illuminated.
This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than
ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch.
This will restore the normal ESC Onmode of operation.
222 SAFETY
NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” and
the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momentarily
each time the ignition is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system will
be on even if it was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the cus-
tomer has elected to have the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) in a reduced mode.
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the speed
of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate of
change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle’s speed are
sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then applies the
appropriate brake and may also reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or
evasive driving maneuvers; it cannot prevent wheel lift
due to other factors, such as road conditions, leaving the
roadway, or striking objects or other vehicles.
NOTE:
ERM is disabled anytime the ESC is in “Full Off”
mode (if equipped). Refer to “Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)” in this section for a complete explanation of the
available ESC modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road conditions
and driving conditions, influence the chance that
wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot prevent
all wheel lift or roll overs, especially those that involve
leaving the roadway or striking objects or other ve-
hicles. The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
224 SAFETY
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.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving. HDC
maintains vehicle speed while descending hills in off-road
driving conditions by applying the brakes when necessary.The symbol indicates the status of the Hill De-
scent Control (HDC) feature. The lamp will be on
solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only be
armed when the transfer case is in the “4WD
LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then 30 mph
(48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while attempting
to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator light will flash
on/off.
When enabled, HDC senses the terrain and activates when
the vehicle is descending a hill. HDC speed may be
adjusted by the driver to suit the driving conditions. The
speed corresponds to the transmission gear selected.
5
SAFETY 225
GearApproximate HDC Set Speed
1st 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
2nd 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
3rd 4 mph (6.5 km/h)
4th 5.5 mph (9 km/h)
DRIVE 7.5 mph (12 km/h)
REVERSE 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
However, the driver can override HDC operation by
applying the brake to slow the vehicle down below the
HDC control speed. If more speed is desired during HDC
control, the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed in
the usual manner. When either the brake or the accelerator
is released, HDC will control the vehicle at the original set
speed.
Enabling HDC
1. Shift the transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information.
2. Push the “Hill Descent” button. The “Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will
turn on solid. NOTE:
•If the transfer case is not in 4WD LOW range, the “Hill
Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for five
seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
• If the ESC senses that the brakes are overheating the
“Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will become deactivated until
the brakes have cooled.
Disabling HDC
Push the “Hill Descent” button or shift the transfer case out
of 4WD LOW range. The “Hill Descent Control Indicator”
light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
226 SAFETY
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. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics
and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30
seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accel-
erator and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
• These data can help provide a better understanding of
the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a
non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal
data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement,
could combine the EDR data with the type of personally
identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investi-
gation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In
addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as
law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read
the information if they have access to the vehicle or the
EDR.
258 SAFETY
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your vehicle. Only
use a floor mat that does not interfere with the operation of
the accelerator, brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor mat
that is securely attached using the floor mat fasteners so it
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the accelera-
tor, brake or clutch pedals or impair safe operation of your
vehicle in other ways.
WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or stacked
floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners may cause
your floor mat to interfere with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle control. To
prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
•ALWAYS securely attach
your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your floor
mat upside down or turn your floor mat over.
Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured using the
floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR MAT
FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any
other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an addi-
tional floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.
NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be properly
attached and secured to your vehicle. If a floor mat
needs to be replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year of your
vehicle.
• ONLY use the driver ’s side floor mat on the driver ’s
side floor area. To check for interference, with the
vehicle properly parked with the engine off, fully
depress the accelerator, the brake, and the clutch
pedal (if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of any pedal,
or is not secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat in your
trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger ’s side floor mat on the
passenger ’s side floor area.
(Continued)
5
SAFETY 281