coolant temperature JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2012 WK2 / 4.G Owners Manual

25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine 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 an autho-
rized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
294 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

down until the preferred setting is highlighted, then
press and release the SELECT button until a check-mark
appears next to the setting, showing that the setting has
been selected.
Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Vehicle
Info” displays in the EVIC and press the SELECT button.
Press the UP and DOWN button to scroll through the
available information displays, then press SELECT to
display any one of the following choices.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
Tire PSI
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Tire
PSI” displays highlighted in the EVIC and press the
SELECT button. Press and release the UP/DOWN but-
tons until one of the following System Status messages
displays in the EVIC:
•System OK
•System Warnings Displayed (will display all currently
active System Warnings)
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 315

gear as the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping
the shift lever to the left (-) or right (+) will change the top
available gear.
To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the shift lever to
the right (+) until “D” is once again displayed in the shift
lever position indicator in the instrument cluster.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing an accident
or personal injury.
Screen
Display123456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1,2,4 1,2,
4,51,2,
4-6 1-5 NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
shift lever to the left (-). The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fourth and fifth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into the Overdrive gear if
the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
•the engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high,
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator, and
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
438 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(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 HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
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.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 549

Cooling System
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.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for anyaccumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at
the coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
592 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to 5 Years or 104,000 miles (169 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze).
When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/ Coolant 5–Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F
(-37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
594 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals and children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
adequate. With the engine idling, and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap, unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
596 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control) . . 201
Adding Fuel........................... 517
Additives, Fuel ......................... 512
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 582
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 585
Air Conditioning ........................ 394
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 394
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 586
Air Conditioning System ................394,398
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 404
Air Filter .............................. 582
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 488
Air Suspension ......................... 448
Airbag .............................. 66,75
Airbag Deployment ....................... 77
Airbag Light ..................... 74,79,96,285
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 78
Airbag, Side ........................ 70,72,75
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........70,72,75Alarm (Security Alarm)
.................20,293
Alarm, Panic ............................ 26
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 9
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 350
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 464
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 292
Anti-Theft System ....................... 293
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 622
Appearance Care ........................ 604
Assist, Hill Start ........................ 471
Assistance Towing ....................... 135
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 42
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 107
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 35
Automatic Headlights .................... 181
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 398
Automatic Transmission .............421,429,601
Adding Fluid ....................... 604
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 601
656 INDEX

Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 510
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 510
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 294
Fuel .............................. 293
Speedometer ........................ 292
Tachometer ......................... 285
Gear Ranges ........................ 422,430
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 565
General Information ............20,29,151,222,508
Glass Cleaning .......................... 609
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............521,524
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............521,523
GVWR ............................... 521
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) ............. 121
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 548
Headlights ............................ 617
Bulb Replacement .................... 618 Cleaning
........................... 608
On With Wipers ..................... 181
Replacing .......................... 618
Heated Mirrors ......................... 111
Heater ............................... 394
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 418
High Beam Indicator ..................... 287
Hill Descent Control ..................... 474
Hill Descent Control Indicator ............... 287
Hill Start Assist ......................... 471
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 528
Holder, Cup ........................... 264
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 242
Hood Release .......................... 178
Ignition ............................... 16
Key ............................. 14,16
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 16
10
INDEX 663

Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 66
Suspension, Air ......................... 448
Sway Control, Trailer ..................... 470
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 581
System, Remote Starting .................... 29
Tachometer ............................ 285
Telescoping Steering Column .............194,195
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 398
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 294
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 85
Text Messaging ......................... 143
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo ................... 273
Tilt Steering Column ................... 194,195
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 483
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 481
Tire Markings .......................... 477
Tire Safety Information .................... 477 Tires ............................
98,487,653
Air Pressure ........................ 488
Chains ............................ 496
Changing .......................... 549
Compact Spare ...................... 491
General Information .................. 487
High Speed ......................... 490
Inflation Pressures .................... 488
Jacking ............................ 549
Life of Tires ........................ 494
Load Capacity .................... 483,484
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 499
Pressure Warning Light ................ 288
Quality Grading ..................... 653
Radial ............................ 490
Replacement ........................ 495
Rotation ........................... 498
Safety ............................. 477
Sizes ............................. 479
672 INDEX