2023 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE light

184STARTING AND OPERATING
2. Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler pipe – the nozzle opens and holds the flapper doors
while refueling.

Fuel Filler

3. Fill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off the fuel tank is full.
4. Wait five seconds before removing the fuel nozzle to allow fuel to drain from nozzle.
5. Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel door. Engage the fuel door latch by pushing on
the rear outer edge near the center.
VEHICLE LOADING
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING
(GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your
vehicle including driver, passengers, vehicle,
options and cargo. The Vehicle Certification Label
specifies maximum capacities of front and rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
PAYLOAD
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable
load weight a truck can carry, including the weight
of the driver, all passengers and cargo.
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the
front and rear axles. The load must be distributed
in the cargo area so that the GAWR of each axle is
not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components
in the system with the lowest load carrying capacity
(axle, springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or
suspension components sometimes specified by
purchasers for increased durability do not
necessarily increase the vehicle's GVWR.
TIRE SIZE
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label
represents the actual tire size on your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
RIM SIZE
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire
size listed.
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.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.

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188STARTING AND OPERATING
TRAILER HITCH CLASSIFICATION
The following chart provides the industry standard for the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can tow and should be used to assist you in selecting
the correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Class Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lb (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lb (1,587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 6,000 lb (2,722kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy Duty 10,000 lb (4,535 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your vehicle.

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STARTING AND OPERATING193
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 personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer with
electronically actuated 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 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And
Wiring
Whenever pulling a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights 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 vehicle’s 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.
NOTE:
Disconnect the trailer wiring connector from the
vehicle (or any other device plugged into
vehicle’s electrical connectors) before
launching a boat into water.
Be sure to reconnect once clear from water
area.

Four-Pin Connector

WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your
brake system and cause it to fail. You might
not have brakes when you need them and
could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. 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 an accident.
CAUTION!

If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb (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.

1 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn
4

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194STARTING AND OPERATING

Seven-Pin Connector

TOWING TIPS
Before towing, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE (D) range when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to
avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you
can use the AutoStick shift control to manually
select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions, will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This
action will also provide better engine braking.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the Cruise Control, if you experience
speed drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h),
disengage until you can get back to cruising
speed.
Use Cruise Control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
1 — Backup Lamps
2 — Running Lamps
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Ground
5 — Battery
6 — Right Stop/Turn
7 — Electric Brakes

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STARTING AND OPERATING197
Shifting Into Transfer Case N (NEUTRAL)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing:

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level
ground, with the engine running.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 4. If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift air
suspension, ensure the vehicle is set to
Normal Ride Height with the Auto Entry/Exit
setting deselected.
NOTE:
Steps 1 through 4 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 contin -
uously 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 indicates that shift requirements have
not been met.
CAUTION!
DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing
with only one set of wheels on the ground
(front or rear) will cause severe transmission
and/or transfer case 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 transfer case.
The transmission must be in PARK for recre -
ational towing.
Before recreational towing, perform the proce -
dure outlined under “Shifting into N
(NEUTRAL)” to be certain that the transfer
case is fully in N (NEUTRAL). Otherwise,
internal damage will result.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission
and/or transfer case damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow
bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will
be damaged.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the N (NEUTRAL) position without first
fully engaging the Electric Park Brake. The
transfer case 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 Electric Park
Brake should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain
that the transfer case is fully in N (NEUTRAL)
before recreational towing to prevent damage to
internal parts.
4

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198STARTING AND OPERATING
If the vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift
air suspension, the engine should be
started and left running for a minimum of
60 seconds (with all the doors closed) at
least once every 24 hours. This process
allows the air suspension to adjust the
vehicle’s ride height to compensate for
temperature effects.
Engaging/disengaging of the Electric Park
Brake requires the ignition to be in the ON/
RUN position.
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a
“4WD Shift Canceled” or a “4WD Shift
Aborted/ Retry Shift” message will be
displayed on the instrument cluster. To reat -
tempt shift, put the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) and push and hold the 4WD
LOW button.
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a
“To Complete 4WD Shift Put Transmission
In Neutral” or a “To Complete 4WD Shift
Speed Must Be Below 3 MPH” or a “To
Complete 4WD Shift Allow Engine To Return
To Idle” message will flash from the instru -
ment cluster display Ú page 98.
5. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case N
(NEUTRAL) button (located by the selector
switch) for more than 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. A “Four Wheel Drive System In
Neutral” message will appear in the
instrument cluster.

N (NEUTRAL) Button

6. After the shift is complete and the N (NEUTRAL) light stays on, release the N
(NEUTRAL) button.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or DRIVE.
8. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Press and hold the brake pedal. Shift the transmission back into NEUTRAL.
10. Apply the Electric Park Brake. 11. With the transmission and transfer case in N
(NEUTRAL), push and hold the ENGINE START/
STOP button until the engine turns off. Ensure
vehicle is in RUN position with the engine off.
12. Place the transmission gear selector in PARK. Release the brake pedal.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the Electric Park Brake. Ensure vehicle is in RUN position with the engine off.
15. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button twice (without pressing the brake pedal), to turn the
ignition to the OFF position.
Shifting Out Of Transfer Case 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 Electric Park Brake.
3. Start the engine or for 4xe vehicles ensure the vehicle is in Ready to Drive mode, the READY
indicator will appear in the instrument cluster
display.

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STARTING AND OPERATING199
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 continu -
ously 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 indicates that shift requirements have
not been met.
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 transfer case N
(NEUTRAL) button (located by the selector
switch) for five seconds.
N (NEUTRAL) Button

NOTE:If the engine is in high idle after a cold start, the
instrument cluster will display “To Complete 4WD
Shift Allow Engine To Return To Idle” and the
transfer case will not be able to shift out of N
(NEUTRAL).
7. When the N (NEUTRAL) indicator light turns off,
release the N (NEUTRAL) button. After the N
(NEUTRAL) button has been released, the
transfer case will always shift to 4WD HI.
8. Shift the transmission into PARK. Turn the engine off.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
11. Start the engine. 12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the Electric Park Brake.
14. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or DRIVE,
release the brake pedal, and check that the
vehicle operates normally.
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. They are not designed for cornering at
the same speeds as conventional passenger cars
any more than low-slung 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.4

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STARTING AND OPERATING201
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than
24 inches (61 cm) with air suspension or
21 inches (53 cm) without air suspension, and
reduce speed appropriately to minimize wave
effects. Maximum speed is 5 mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your
vehicle fluids and lubricants (engine oil,
transmission oil, axle, transfer case) to ensure the
fluids have not been contaminated. Contaminated
fluid (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 transfer
case to 4WD LOW if necessary Ú page 131. 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 transfer case to 4WD
LOW. Use FIRST gear and 4WD LOW for very steep
hills.
If you stall or begin to lose forward motion while
climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to
a stop and immediately apply the brakes. Restart
the engine, and shift into REVERSE (R). 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. Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill.
Always 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
forward motion by turning the front wheels slowly.
This may provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and
will usually provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
When descending mountains or hills, use Hill
Descent Control or Selec-Speed Control to avoid
repeated heavy braking.
If not equipped with Hill Descent Control or
Selec-Speed Control use the following procedure:
Shift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. 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.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion, 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 carefully straight down a hill in REVERSE
gear. Never back down a hill in NEUTRAL using
only the brake.
4

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