towing JEEP CHEROKEE 2014 KL / 5.G Owner's Guide

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 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
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 a
collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 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.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights 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 har-
ness and connector.
NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
540 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent shift-
ing does occur while in DRIVE, use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control to select a lower gear range.
NOTE:Using a lower gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads. •
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
542 STARTING AND OPERATING

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
4WD Models
Towing
Condition Wheel OFF
the Ground Front-Wheel Drive
(FWD) Models 1-Speed Power
Transfer Unit 2-Speed Power
Transfer Unit
Flat Tow NONE NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED See Instructions:
•Transmission in PARK
• Power transfer unit in
NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
Dolly Tow Front OKNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OKOK OK
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STARTING AND OPERATING 543

Recreational Towing — Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Models
DO NOTflat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for front-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the front wheels are OFFthe 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 the transmission in PARK. 4. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Release the parking brake.
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.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
544 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recreational Towing — 4WD Models With
1-Speed Power Transfer Unit
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do
not have a NEUTRAL (N) 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.
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 War-
ranty.
Recreational Towing — 4WD Models With
2-Speed Power Transfer Unit
The power transfer unit must be shifted into NEUTRAL
(N) and the transmission must be in PARK for recre-
ational towing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is
adjacent to the power transfer unit selector switch. Shifts
into and out of NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the
selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Internal dam-
age to the transmission or power transfer unit will
occur if a dolly is used when recreational towing.
•Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this vehicle
backwards can cause severe damage to the power
transfer unit.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 545

CAUTION!(Continued)
•The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the power transfer unit is fully in
NEUTRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will
result.
• Failure to follow these procedures can cause severe
transmission and/or power transfer unit damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der 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.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be seriously or fatally injured if
you leave the vehicle unattended with the power
transfer unit in the NEUTRAL (N) position without
first fully engaging the parking brake. The NEU-
TRAL (N) position disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the
vehicle to move, even if the transmission is in PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
546 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the power transfer unit is fully in NEUTRAL (N)
before recreational towing to prevent damage to
internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift the transmission to PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition switch 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, press and hold the recessed NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the NEUTRAL (N) symbol will blink, indicating shift in
progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid)
when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is complete.
7. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N) light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
Neutral Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547

SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................585
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........585
▫ Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Models .........587▫
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Models With 1–Speed
Power Transfer Unit ....................588
▫ Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Models With 2–Speed
Power Transfer Unit ....................589
552 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Recovery straps should only be used in emergencies to
rescue stranded vehicles. Only use Recovery straps on
vehicles that fit within the recommended GVW of
your recovery strap. Only attach recovery straps to OE
recommended anchor points or emergency towing
anchor points. Never attach to tow ball or vehicle tie
down point, these are not designed for this purpose.
Never attach to vehicle steering, drive train, or any
other suspension components. NEVER pull a strap
over sharp edges or abrasive surfaces that can damage
the recovery strap. NEVER use a damaged strap, it has
reduced strength. DO NOT attempt to repair straps.
ONLY persons involved in the recovery should be in
either vehicle. No passengers. Anyone inside the ve-
hicles can be struck by strap recoil, causing serious
injury. MOVE bystanders at least 40 feet from the
recovery area when using the recovery strap.
Using Recovery Strap
1. Review all warnings and instructions first.
2. Position the recovery vehicle.
3. Connect the recovery strap.
4. Add a recovery damper or blanket.
5. Clear the danger zone.
6. Safely and slowly start pulling.
7. Disconnect the recovery strap after both vehicle aresecure and parked.
584 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, carefully separatethe shifter bezel and boot assembly from the center
console bezel.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert a small screwdriver or similar tool down into the shift lever override access hole (at the right front
corner of the shift lever assembly), and push and hold
the override release lever down. 6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever boot.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled 4x4 ve-
hicles may also be towed as described under “Recre-
ational Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 585