2023 JEEP GLADIATOR Owners Manual

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY343
REINSTALLING THE JACK AND TOOLS

1. Position the jack and tool bag. Make sure the
lug wrench is under the jack near the jack
turn-screw.

Jack And Tool Bag

2. Tighten the jack all the way down by turning the jack turn-screw counterclockwise until the
jack is snug.
3. Secure the tool bag straps to the jack.
4. Place the jack and tools in the storage position holding the jack by the jack turn-screw, place
the jack and tools under the rear seat. 5. Turn the wing bolt clockwise to secure to the
floor pan.

Jack Hold Down Wing Bolt

JUMP STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can be
jump started using a set of jumper cables and a
battery in another vehicle, or by using a portable
battery booster pack. Jump starting can be
dangerous if done improperly, so please follow the
procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack, follow
the manufacturer's operating instructions and
precautions.
WARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall
them in the original carrier and location. While
driving you may experience abrupt stopping,
rapid acceleration or sharp turns. A loose jack,
tools or bracket or other objects in the vehicle
may move around with force, resulting in serious
injury.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is
frozen. It could rupture or explode and cause
personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or
any other booster source with a system voltage
greater than 12 Volts or damage to the battery,
starter motor, alternator or electrical system may
occur.
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344IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
PREPARATIONS FOR JUMP START

Supplemental Battery — If Equipped
The battery in your vehicle is located in the right
rear of the engine compartment.

Positive (+) Battery Post – Gas Engine Positive (+) Battery Post – Diesel Engine
NOTE:The positive
(+) battery post is covered with a
protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to
the post.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Stop/Start
system, it will be equipped with two batteries
Ú page 169.
See the following steps to prepare for jump
starting:

1. Apply the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK (P) (manual
transmission in NEUTRAL) and place the
ignition in OFF mode.

2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all electrical accessories.
WARNING!
Only use the positive battery post on the main
battery to jump start your vehicle. Serious
injury or death could result if you attempt to
jump start using the supplemental battery.
Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not
use a booster battery or any other booster
source with an output greater than 12 Volts.
Do not allow cable clamps to touch each
other.
Battery posts, terminals, and related accesso -
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
hands after handling.
If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is
in the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery
cables before connecting the charger to the
battery. Do not use a “fast charger” to provide
starting.
WARNING!

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY345
3. If using another vehicle to jump start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cable’s reach, apply the parking brake and
make sure the ignition is OFF.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
NOTE:Make sure at all times that unused ends of jumper
cables are not contacting each other or either
vehicle while making connections.
Connecting The Jumper Cables

1. Connect the positive
(+) end of the jumper
cable to the positive (+)
post of the discharged
vehicle.

2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)
jumper cable to the positive (+) post of the
booster battery. 3. Connect the negative
(-) end of the jumper
cable to the negative (-) post of the booster
battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)
jumper cable to a good engine ground. A
“ground” is an exposed metallic/unpainted
part of the engine, frame or chassis, such as
an accessory bracket or large bolt. The ground
must be away from the battery and the fuel
injection system.

Jump Starting Label

WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as
this could establish a ground connection and
personal injury could result.
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan
whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is ON. You can be
injured by moving fan blades.
Remove any metal jewelry such as rings,
watch bands and bracelets that could make
an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be
seriously injured.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn
your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas
which is flammable and explosive. Keep open
flames or sparks away from the battery.
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump starting procedure
could result in personal injury or property
damage due to battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster
vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative
(-) post of the discharged battery. The resulting
electrical spark could cause the battery to
explode and could result in personal injury.
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346IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few
minutes, and then start the engine in the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
6. Once the engine is started, follow the discon -
necting procedure.
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables

1. Disconnect the negative
(-)
end of the jumper
cable from the engine ground of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.

2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-)
jumper cable from the negative (-) post of the
booster battery. 3. Disconnect the positive
(+) end of the jumper
cable from the positive (+) post of the booster
battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)
jumper cable from the positive (+) post of the
discharged vehicle.
5. Reinstall the protective cover over the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump starting is required to start your
vehicle you should have the battery and charging
system tested at an authorized dealer.
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY – IF EQUIPPED
The vehicle may be equipped with a refueling
funnel. Vehicles with diesel engines will have a cap
to remove to begin the refueling process. If
refueling is necessary, while using an approved
gas can, insert the refueling funnel into the filler
neck opening. Take care to open both flappers with
the funnel to avoid spills.

Diesel Fuel Cap

NOTE:In certain cold conditions, ice may prevent the fuel
door from opening. If this occurs, lightly push on
the fuel door to break the ice buildup and
re-release the fuel door using the inside release
button. Do not pry on the door.
CAUTION!
Do not run the booster vehicle engine above
2,000 RPM since it provides no charging benefit,
wastes fuel, and can damage booster vehicle
engine.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough without
engine operation, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent the engine from starting.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY347
Emergency Gas Can Refueling
Most gas cans will not open the flapper doors. A
funnel is provided to allow emergency refueling
with a gas can.
See the following steps for refueling:

1. Retrieve funnel from under the right rear seat.

Fuel Funnel Location
Refueling Funnel
2. Remove the fuel filler cap and insert the funnel
into same filler pipe opening as the fuel nozzle.

Inserting Funnel

3. Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper doors open.
4. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
5. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the spare tire storage area.
6. Tighten the fuel filler cap until clicking is heard. This is an indication the cap is properly
tightened.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
If the vehicle is overheating, it will need to be
serviced by an authorized dealer.
Potential signs of vehicle overheating:
Temperature gauge is at HOT (H)
Strong smell of coolant
White smoke coming from engine or exhaust
Coolant bottle coolant has bubbles present
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
WARNING!
Never have any smoking materials lit in or
near the vehicle when the fuel door is open or
the tank is being filled.
Never add fuel when the engine is running.
This is in violation of most state and federal
fire regulations and may cause the Malfunc -
tion Indicator Light to turn on.
A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle.
You could be burned. Always place fuel
containers on the ground while filling.
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348IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
In the event it is observed that the temperature
gauge is moving towards or close to the HOT (H)
position, you can reduce the potential for
overheating by taking the appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place the trans -
mission in NEUTRAL (N), but do not increase the
engine idle speed while preventing vehicle
motion with the brakes.
If your Air Conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The
A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling
system and turning the A/C off can help remove
this heat.
You can also turn the temperature control to
maximum heat, the mode control to floor and
the blower control to high. This allows the heater
core to act as a supplement to the radiator and
aids in removing heat from the engine cooling
system.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of Park (P) (such as
a depleted battery), a Manual Park Release is
available. See the following steps to use the Manual Park
Release:

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,
remove the manual park release cover located
in front of the gear selector, to access the
release tether strap.

Manual Park Release Cover

WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator.
If you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator
has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator or
coolant bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,
” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the “H” and you hear
continuous chimes, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Manual Park
Release. In addition, you should be seated in the
driver’s seat with your foot firmly on the brake
pedal when activating the Manual Park Release.
Activating the Manual Park Release will allow
your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured by the
parking brake, or by proper connection to a tow
vehicle. Activating the Manual Park Release on
an unsecured vehicle could lead to serious
injury or death for those in or around the vehicle.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY349
3. Fish the tether strap up through the opening in the console base.

Tether Strap

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Pull the tether strap until the release lever locks into place in the vertical position. The
vehicle is now out of PARK (P) and can be
moved. Release the parking brake only when
the vehicle is securely connected to a tow
vehicle.
Vertical Released Position

To Reset The Manual Park Release:

1. Pull upward on the tether strap, releasing it from the “locked” position.

2. Lower the Manual Park Release lever downward into its original position.

Original Tether Position
3. Tuck the tether strap into the base of the
console, and reinstall the cover.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow,
it can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear the area
around the front wheels. For vehicles with
automatic transmission, push and hold the lock
button on the gear selector. Then, shift back and
forth between DRIVE (D) and REVERSE (R) (with
automatic transmission) or SECOND (2) gear and
REVERSE (R) (with manual transmission), while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least
amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will
maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine.

NOTE:
For vehicles with automatic transmission: Shifts
between DRIVE (D) and REVERSE (R) can only
be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h)
or less. Whenever the transmission remains in
NEUTRAL(N) for more than 2 seconds, you must
press the brake pedal to engage DRIVE (D) or
REVERSE (R).
Push the ESC OFF button to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in “Partial OFF”
mode, before rocking the vehicle Ú page 281.
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350IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC
OFF button again to restore “ESC On” mode.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled
vehicles may also be towed as described on Ú
page 205.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces
generated by excessive wheel speeds may
cause damage, or even failure, of the axle and
tires. A tire could explode and injure someone.
Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 sec-
onds continuously without stopping when you
are stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may
lead to transmission overheating and failure.
Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
in NEUTRAL (N) for at least one minute after
every five rocking-motion cycles. This will mini -
mize overheating and reduce the risk of clutch
or transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting
between DRIVE/SECOND gear and REVERSE,
do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph
(24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.

Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not
spin the wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while
in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).

CAUTION!
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The Ground 4WD MODELS
Flat Tow NONE
Automatic Transmission in PARK (P)
Manual Transmission in gear ( NOT in NEUTRAL)
Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
Tow in forward direction
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD
NOTE:When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.

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