towing JEEP CHEROKEE 2014 KL / 5.G User Guide

15. SERV 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the 4WD is in need of
service. If this light is illuminated, see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
16. 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
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
“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 dealer 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
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 347

•Electronic Speed Control ON
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is ON. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle”.
• Electronic Speed Control SET
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is SET. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle”.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Distance Setting
Display This will display the distance setting for the
ACC system. For further information, refer to
“Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle”. 10. Shift Lever Status (PRNDL)
The shift lever status “P,R,N,D,L,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1” are dis-
played indicating the shift lever position. Refer to “Start-
ing And Operating”.
11. Instructional Area
This area will display text to the visual warnings (i.e.,
“Push Brake To Start”).
12. Amber Reconfigurable Telltale Display
•Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-
drive operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road opera-
tion). If this light comes on, stop the vehicle and run
the engine at idle or faster, with the transmission in
NEUTRAL until the light goes off.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 353

If your odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the
repair technician should leave the odometer reading
the same as it was before the repair or service. If s/he
cannot do so, then the odometer must be set at zero,
and a sticker must be placed in the door jamb stating
what the mileage was before the repair or service. It
is a good idea for you to make a record of the
odometer reading before the repair/service, so that
you can be sure that it is properly reset, or that the
door jamb sticker is accurate if the odometer must be
reset at zero.
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages and Submenus.
•Fuel Gauge
Fuel Gauge displays the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position. •
Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature 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
(Continued)
356 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable. However, see an
authorized dealer for service as soon as possible. If
the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. You may experience
reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle or en-
gine stall and your vehicle may require towing.
•Oil Temperature Warning Light
This telltale indicates engine oil tempera-
ture is high. If the light turns on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the
engine as soon as possible.
• Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned to the ON/RUN po-
sition. If the light is either not on during
starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, have the
system inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Engine Oil Change Indicator System
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will display in the EVIC for five seconds after a single
chime has sounded, to indicate the next scheduled oil
change interval. The engine oil change indicator system
is duty cycle based, which means the engine oil change
interval may fluctuate, dependent upon your personal
driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position or cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position if
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™. To turn off the
message temporarily, press and release the OK button.
360 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....506
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .508
▫ Base System .........................511
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........514
▫ General Information ...................519
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................519
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................521
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............521
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......522
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................522
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................523
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................523
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............524
ADDING FUEL ....................... .525
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release .........527
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............527
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................528
▫ Certification Label ....................528
 TRAILER TOWING .....................530
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............530
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............534
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .535
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............536
▫ Towing Requirements ..................537
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .542
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.) ............543
▫
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .543
▫ Recreational Towing — Front-Wheel Drive
(FWD) Models ...................... .544▫
Recreational Towing — 4WD Models With
1-Speed Power Transfer Unit .............545
▫ Recreational Towing — 4WD Models With
2-Speed Power Transfer Unit .............545
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419

•With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
NOTE: Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting and Operating” and “Towing a
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 431

When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select
(ERS) Operation in this section) to select a lower gear
range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission operating temperature exceeds nor-
mal operating limits, the transmission controller may
modify the transmission shift schedule, reduce engine
torque, and/or expand the range of torque converter
clutch engagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating. If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the “Trans-
mission Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and
the transmission may operate differently until the trans-
mission cools down.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
432 STARTING AND OPERATING

When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOW
range position can be used to provide an additional gear
reduction which allows for increased torque to be deliv-
ered to both the front and rear wheels. 4WD LOW is
intended for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the normal
driving mode at a given road speed. Take care not to
overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the driveline components.Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
4WD system mode position, see the information below:
NEUTRAL
This range disengages the driveline from the powertrain.
It is to be used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for further information.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 437

WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start Assist
(HSA) will not activate and slight rolling may occur,
such as on minor hills or with a loaded vehicle, or
while pulling a trailer. HSA is not a substitute for
active driving involvement. It is always the driver ’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to other
vehicles, people, and objects, and most importantly
brake operation to ensure safe operation of the ve-
hicle under all road conditions. Your complete atten-
tion is always required while driving to maintain
safe control of your vehicle. Failure to follow these
warnings can result in a collision or serious personal
injury.
Towing With HSA
HSA will provide assistance during acceleration on an
incline while towing a trailer.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, the trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, there may
not be enough brake pressure to hold both the
vehicle and the trailer on a hill when the brake
pedal is released. In order to avoid rolling down an
incline while resuming acceleration, manually ac-
tivate the trailer brake or apply more vehicle brake
pressure prior to releasing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 465