2023 JEEP CHEROKEE transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING121
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
F
RONT-WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) MODELS
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will
result.
Recreational towing (for front-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the front wheels are OFF the 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 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 mode, 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.
RECREATIONAL TOWING — 4X4
M
ODELS WITH 1-SPEED POWER
T
RANSFER UNIT
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do not
have a N (NEUTRAL) 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.
RECREATIONAL TOWING — 4X4
M
ODELS WITH 2-SPEED POWER
T
RANSFER UNIT
The power transfer unit must be shifted into N (NEUTRAL)
and the transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing. The N (NEUTRAL) selection button is adjacent to
the 4WD selector switch. Shifts into and out of N
(NEUTRAL) can take place with the selector switch in any
mode position.
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.
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.
CAUTION!
 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 N (NEUTRAL)” to be
certain that the power transfer unit is fully in N
(NEUTRAL). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
 Towing this vehicle in violation of the previous
requirements can cause severe transmission and/or
power transfer unit 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.
 Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The fascia/bumper face bar will be
damaged.
4

23_KL_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 121

122STARTING AND OPERATING
Shifting Into N (NEUTRAL)
Use the following procedure to shift the 4WD system into
N (NEUTRAL).

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground,
and shift the transmission to PARK.

2. Turn the engine off.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, 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 N (NEUTRAL) 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
N (NEUTRAL) is complete.

Neutral Button

7. After the shift is completed and the N (NEUTRAL) light stays on, release the N (NEUTRAL) button.
8. Start the engine.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
12. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
13. Apply the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into PARK, turn the engine off, and remove the key fob. 15. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
16. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
17. Press and hold the brake pedal.
18. Release the parking brake.
19. Turn the ignition OFF, remove the key fob, and release the brake pedal.
NOTE:
When towing this vehicle behind another vehicle, the
parking brake must be released.
 Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
before pushing the N (NEUTRAL) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met before
pushing the N (NEUTRAL) button or are no longer met
during the shift, then the N (NEUTRAL) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements are met or
until the N (NEUTRAL) button is released.
 The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for a shift
to take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN position,
the shift will not take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
 A flashing N (NEUTRAL) position indicator light indi -
cates that shift requirements have not been met.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit in the N
(NEUTRAL) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The N (NEUTRAL) position disengages
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,
unless the vehicle is otherwise secured (for example,
when attached to the tow vehicle).
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the power transfer unit is fully in N (NEUTRAL) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.

23_KL_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 122

STARTING AND OPERATING123
Shifting Out Of N (NEUTRAL)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal use.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it
connected to the tow vehicle.

2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, 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 power transfer unit N (NEUTRAL) button
(located by the selector switch) for one second.

Neutral Button

7. When the N (NEUTRAL) indicator light turns off, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
8. After the N (NEUTRAL) button has been released, the power transfer unit will shift to the position indicated
by the selector switch.
NOTE:When shifting the power transfer unit out of N (NEUTRAL),
the engine should remain off to avoid gear clash.
9. Shift the transmission into PARK.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
16. Re-enable the Auto Park Brake feature, if desired.
NOTE:
 Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
before pushing the N (NEUTRAL) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met before
pushing the N (NEUTRAL) button or are no longer met
during the shift, the N (NEUTRAL) indicator light will
flash continuously until all requirements are met or
until the N (NEUTRAL) button is released.
 The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for a shift
to take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN position,
the shift will not take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
 A flashing N (NEUTRAL) position indicator light indi -
cates that shift requirements have not been met.
DRIVING TIPS
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a
narrower track to make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than
conventional passenger cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
Utility vehicles are not designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional passenger cars any more than
sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily in
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control
or vehicle rollover.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
When To Use 4WD LOW Range
When off-road driving, shift to 4WD LOW for additional
traction and control on slippery or difficult terrain,
ascending or descending steep hills, and to increase
low-speed pulling power (refer to “All Wheel Drive and
Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in this section for further
details). This range should be limited to extreme situations
such as deep snow, mud, or sand where additional low
speed pulling power is needed. Vehicle speeds in excess
of 25 mph (40 km/h) should be avoided when in 4WD LOW range.
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124STARTING AND OPERATING
Driving Through Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through water,
there are a number of precautions that must be
considered before entering the water:
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle. If you must
drive through water, try to determine the depth and the
bottom condition (and location of any obstacles) prior to
entering. Proceed with caution and maintain a steady
controlled speed less than 5 mph (8 km/h) in deep water
to minimize wave effects.
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 16 inches
(40.5 cm), and reduce speed appropriately to minimize
wave effects. Maximum speed in 16 inches (40.5 cm) of
water is less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
(Trailhawk only): 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
Transfer Unit, and Rear Drive Module) to ensure they have
not been 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
Úpage 85. Only shift
into a lower gear to maintain forward motion. Over-revving
the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads because
engine braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
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.
NOTE:Brakes should be applied at increased slippage, but
before coming to a stop to avoid digging into the loose
surface and rendering the operator of the vehicle stuck/
immobile.
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep
hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately
apply the brakes. Once stopped, 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.
CAUTION!
When driving through water, do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h). Always check water depth before entering as
a precaution, and check all fluids afterward. Driving
through water may cause damage that may not be
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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.

23_KL_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 124

STARTING AND OPERATING125
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 may provide
traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the 4WD system
to 4WD LOW range or Select Hill Descent Control (if
equipped)
Úpage 143. Let the vehicle go slowly down the
hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit 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 transmission
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.
 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
suspension. 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.
 Impacted material can cause wheel imbalance.
Freeing the wheels of impacted material will likely
rectify imbalance condition.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the braking system may
cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking
performance. Full braking power may not be available
to prevent a collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, inspect and clean the
braking components as soon as possible.
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138MULTIMEDIA
Camera — If Equipped
Mirrors & Wipers — If Equipped
When the Camera button is pressed on the touchscreen, the system displays the options related to the vehicle’s camera features.
NOTE:Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature settings may vary.
Setting Name Description
ParkView Backup Camera Delay This setting will add a delay to the ParkView Backup Camera when shifting out of
REVERSE.
Active ParkView Backup Camera Guidelines This setting will turn the Active ParkView Backup Camera Guidelines on or off.
Fixed ParkView Backup Camera Guidelines This setting will turn the Fixed ParkView Backup Camera Guidelines on or off.
When the Mirrors & Wipers button is pressed on the touchscreen, the system displays the options related to the vehicle’s mirrors and wipers.
NOTE:Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature settings may vary.
Setting NameDescription
Tilt Side Mirrors in Reverse This setting will tilt the outside side-view mirrors when the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the transmission gear selector is in the REVERSE position. The mirrors will
move back to their previous position when the transmission is shifted out of REVERSE.
The available settings are “On” and “Off”.
Rain Sensing Auto Wipers This setting will turn the Rain Sensing Auto Wipers on or off.
Headlights with Wipers This setting will turn the headlights on when the wipers are activated. Setting options are
“On” and “Off”.

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142MULTIMEDIA
PITCH & ROLL
The Pitch & Roll page displays the vehicle’s current pitch
(angle up and down) and roll (angle side to side) in
degrees. The Pitch & Roll gauges provide a visualization of
the current vehicle angle.

Pitch & Roll Menu

ACCESSORY GAUGES
The Accessory Gauges page displays the current status of
the vehicle’s Coolant Temperature, Oil Temperature,
Transmission Temperature, and Battery Voltage.

Accessory Gauges Menu

SELEC-TERRAIN — IF EQUIPPED
The Selec-Terrain page displays the current Selec-Terrain
mode through a high resolution image. The vehicle must
be in the ON/RUN position to display Selec-Terrain
information.
The selectable modes are as follows:
Auto — Default
 Snow
 Sand
 Mud
 Rock — Vehicle Must Be In 4WD Low
NOTE:While in the Selec-Terrain pages, the Off-Road Pages
Status Bar will also display the current Selec-Terrain
mode.

Current Selec-Terrain Mode

1 — Current Pitch
2 — Current Roll

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SAFETY147
Enabling HDC
HDC is enabled by pushing the HDC button, but the
following conditions must also be met to enable HDC:
The driveline is in 4WD Low
 The vehicle speed is below 5 mph (8 km/h)
 The parking brake is released
 The driver door is closed
Activating HDC
Once HDC is enabled it will activate automatically if driven
down a grade of sufficient magnitude. The set speed for
HDC is selectable by the driver, and can be adjusted by
using the gear shift +/-. The following summarizes the
HDC set speeds:
HDC Target Set Speeds
 P = No set speed. HDC may be enabled but will not acti -
vate.
 R = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
 N = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
 D = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
 1st = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
 2nd = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
 3rd = 1.8 mph (3 km/h)
 4th = 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
 5th = 3.1 mph (5 km/h)
 6th = 3.7 mph (6 km/h)
 7th = 4.3 mph (7 km/h)
 8th = 5.0 mph (8 km/h)
 9th = 5.6 mph (9 km/h) – If EquippedNOTE:During HDC the +/- shifter input is used for HDC target
speed selection, but will not affect the gear chosen by the
transmission. When actively controlling HDC the trans -
mission will shift appropriately for the driver-selected set
speed and corresponding driving conditions.
Driver Override
The driver may override HDC activation with throttle or
brake application at any time.
Deactivating HDC
HDC will be deactivated but remain available if any of the
following conditions occur:
 Driver overrides HDC set speed with throttle or brake
application.
 Vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h) but remains
below 40 mph (64 km/h).
 Vehicle is on a downhill grade of insufficient magni-
tude, is on level ground, or is on an uphill grade.
 Vehicle is shifted to PARK.
Disabling HDC
HDC will be deactivated and disabled if any of the
following conditions occur:
 The driver pushes the HDC button.
 The driveline is shifted out of 4WD Low.
 The parking brake is applied.
 The driver door opens.
 The vehicle is driven greater than 20 mph (32 km/h)
for greater than 70 seconds. 
The vehicle is driven greater than 40 mph (64 km/h)
(HDC exits immediately).
 HDC detects excessive brake temperature.
Feedback To The Driver
The instrument cluster has an HDC icon and the HDC
button has an LED icon, which offers feedback to the
driver about the state HDC is in.
 The cluster icon and button light will illuminate and
remain on solid when HDC is enabled or activated. This
is the normal operating condition for HDC.
 The cluster icon and button light will flash for several
seconds then extinguish when the driver pushes the
HDC button but enable conditions are not met.
 The cluster icon and button light will flash for several
seconds then extinguish when HDC disables due to
excess speed.
 The cluster icon and button light will flash when HDC
deactivates due to overheated brakes. The flashing will
stop and HDC will activate again once the brakes have
cooled sufficiently.
WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in controlling
vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver must
remain attentive to the driving conditions and is
responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
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