towing JEEP GLADIATOR 2023 Owner's Manual

202STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.
Weight Distribution

Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
The tongue weight of the trailer
The weight of any other type of cargo or equip -
ment put in or on your vehicle
The weight of the driver and all passengers
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the trailer
adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options
must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the Tire And Loading Infor -
mation Placard for the maximum combined weight
of occupants and cargo for your vehicle.
TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle
drivetrain components, the following guidelines
are recommended:
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow
these guidelines to make your trailer towing as
safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the
trailer and that it will not shift during travel.
When trailering cargo that is not fully secured,
dynamic load shifts can occur that may be
difficult for the driver to control. You could lose
control of your vehicle and have a collision.
When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading
can cause a loss of control, poor performance,
or damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmis -
sion, steering, suspension, chassis structure,
or tires.
Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on
a grade. When parking, apply the parking
brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle
transmission in PARK. Always block or "chock"
the trailer wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between the
tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:
GVWR
GTW
GAWR
Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized
CAUTION!

Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (805 km) the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine and other parts
of the vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.

WARNING!

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 202

STARTING AND OPERATING203
Towing Requirements — Tires
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying
capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR limits.
For further information Úpage 395.
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.
NOTE:This vehicle has an aftermarket brake controller
connector under the dash to the left of the brake
pedal. This will be a four pin connector and will be
gray in color.
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 you pull 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.
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.
4

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 203

204STARTING AND OPERATING

Four-Pin Connector
Seven-Pin Connector

TOWING TIPS
Before towing, practice turning, stopping and
backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer
towing, all starts must be in first gear to avoid
excessive clutch slippage.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Select the DRIVE 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 build-up. This
action will also provide better engine braking.
AutoStick — If Equipped
When using the AutoStick shift control, select
the highest gear that allows for adequate perfor -
mance and avoids frequent downshifts. For
example, choose “5” if the desired speed can be
maintained. Choose “4” or “3” if needed to
maintain the desired speed.
To prevent excess heat generation, avoid
continuous driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and
road conditions allow.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use in 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 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn
1 — Backup Lamps
2 — Running Lamps
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Ground
5 — Battery
6 — Right Stop/Turn
7 — Electric Brakes

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 204

STARTING AND OPERATING205
(Continued)
(Continued)
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
F
OUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral),
automatic transmission must be in PARK, and
manual transmission must be in gear (NOT in
NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat TowNONESee Instructions
Automatic transmission in PARK.
Manual transmission in gear(NOT in NEUTRAL [N]).
Transfer case in (N) Neutral.
Tow in forward direction.
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK
NOTE:When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
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 the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage
to the transfer case.
CAUTION!
4

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 205

206STARTING AND OPERATING
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level
ground.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or press the clutch pedal on a
manual transmission. 4. Turn the engine off.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into DRIVE or REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on
manual transmissions) for five seconds and
ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission
in first gear.
10. Turn the engine off.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in
NEUTRAL).
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.Automatic transmissions must be placed in
PARK for recreational towing.
Manual transmissions must be placed in gear
(not in Neutral) for recreational 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.
CAUTION!
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 parking 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 automatic
transmission is in PARK (or manual transmission
is in gear). The parking 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.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the
transmission is shifted into PARK with the
transfer case in N (Neutral) and the engine
running. With the transfer case in N (Neutral)
ensure that the engine is OFF before shifting the
transmission into PARK.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 206

MULTIMEDIA273
2. If I am subscribed to SiriusXM Guardian™,
does it cover towing or other expenses
incurred by using roadside assistance? No,
however your new vehicle may include
Roadside Assistance Call services.
CONNECTED SERVICES SEND & GO
FAQ
S — IF EQUIPPED

1.
How long does it take to send the route and
destination to my vehicle?
Depending on
various conditions, it can take up to three
minutes for the request to get through to your
vehicle.

2. Can I cancel a route I sent to my vehicle? Yes,
once you enter your vehicle, and start the
engine, the pop-up message stating that you
have a new route will appear. There is an exit
button on the pop-up that will cancel the route
if selected.
3. Can I select a different route than the most
recent one I sent to my vehicle? Yes, once you
enter the vehicle, and start the engine, the
pop-up message offers a “Locations” option.
Once “Locations” is selected, you can choose
from a list of recently sent destinations.
CONNECTED SERVICES VEHICLE FINDER
FAQ
S

1.
Can someone else locate my vehicle?
Your
vehicle may be located by anyone who has
your PIN and access to your account. It is your
responsibility to guard your PIN accordingly.
See the Uconnect and SiriusXM Guardian™
terms of service for more information.

2. How long does it take to sound my horn and
flash the lights? Depending on various
conditions, it can take three minutes or more
for the request to get through to your vehicle.
3. How do I turn off the horn and lights after I turn
them on? If you are close enough to the
vehicle, you can use the key fob to turn off the
horn and lights by pushing the red Panic
button.
CONNECTED SERVICES STOLEN VEHICLE
A
SSISTANCE FAQS — IF EQUIPPED

1.
Can someone locate my vehicle?
To enhance
your privacy, and the privacy of others using
your vehicle, a stolen vehicle police report is
required for you to activate this service. You
must involve local law enforcement to have
SiriusXM Guardian™ locate your vehicle. We
may also locate the vehicle for other law
enforcement or government agencies, subject to a valid court order telling SiriusXM
Guardian™ to do so. We will also provide the
service for FCA entities to locate a vehicle that
you have purchased through them.

2. How will I know if my vehicle is recovered?
After you provide the SiriusXM Guardian™
Customer Care agent with the stolen vehicle
report, the agent will work together with law
enforcement to try to locate your vehicle. If
your vehicle is recovered, you will be contacted
by law enforcement.
3. Can SiriusXM Guardian™ lower my insurance
rates? Some insurance providers offer lower
rates on vehicles equipped with systems that
can deter auto theft. When shopping for
insurance, be sure to inform the insurance
provider of your SiriusXM Guardian™
connected services subscription to find out if
the insurance provider can offer you a lower
rate.
NOTE:Neither FCA nor SiriusXM® are insurance
companies, and SiriusXM Guardian™ is not an
insurance product. You are responsible for
obtaining insurance coverage for your vehicle and
yourself.
5

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 273

284SAFETY
Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To
change the current setting, see Ú page 215 for
further information.
Towing With HSA
HSA will also provide assistance to mitigate roll
back while towing a trailer.
Rain Brake Support (RBS)
RBS may improve braking performance in wet
conditions. It will periodically apply a small amount
of brake pressure to remove any water buildup on
the front brake rotors. It functions when the
windshield wipers are in LO or HI speed. When RBS
is active, there is no notification to the driver and
no driver interaction is required.
Ready Alert Braking (RAB)
RAB may reduce the time required to reach full
braking during emergency braking situations. It
anticipates when an emergency braking situation
may occur by monitoring how fast the throttle is
released by the driver. The Electronic Brake
Control will prepare the brake system for a panic
stop.
Rear Seat Reminder Alert (RSRA)
RSRA alerts you through a visual and auditory
notification of the possible presence of an object,
passenger, or pet in the rear seats if a rear door
was opened up to 10 minutes before the ignition
was placed in the ON/RUN position. RSRA does not
directly detect objects, passengers, or pets in the
rear seats. When the previous conditions are met,
RSRA displays the message “Check Rear Seat” on
the instrument cluster display and sounds an
auditory alert upon the driver placing the ignition in
the OFF position to exit the vehicle.
To enable or disable RSRA, see Ú page 215.
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 accel -
eration, manually activate the trailer brake or
apply more vehicle brake pressure prior to
releasing the brake pedal.
HSA is not a parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when exiting your vehicle.
Also, be certain to place the transmission in
PARK.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in a
collision or serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a
complete stop, then shift the automatic trans -
mission into PARK and apply the parking
brake.
Always make sure the keyless ignition node is
in the OFF position, key fob is removed from
the vehicle and vehicle is locked.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving chil -
dren in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for
a number of reasons. A child or others could
be seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle,
or in a location accessible to children, and do
not leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped
with Keyless Enter ‘n Go™ in the ACC or ON/
RUN position. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 284

SAFETY287
NOTE:TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Always
use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
trailer tongue weight recommendations. See
Úpage 197 for further information.
When TSC is functioning, the ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light will flash, the engine
power may be reduced, and you may feel the
brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is
disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial
Off” or “Full Off” modes.
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS
BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) —
I
F EQUIPPED
The BSM system uses two radar sensors, located
inside the taillights, to detect highway licensable
vehicles (automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, etc.)
that enter the blind spot zones from the rear/front/
side of the vehicle.
Rear Detection Zones

When the vehicle is started, the BSM Warning Light
will momentarily illuminate in both outside
rearview mirrors to let the driver know that the
system is operational. The BSM system sensors
operate when the vehicle is in any forward gear.
The BSM detection zone covers approximately one
lane width on both sides of the vehicle 12 ft
(3.8 m). The zone starts at the outside rearview
mirror and extends approximately 10 ft (3 m)
beyond the rear fascia/bumper of the vehicle. The
BSM system monitors the detection zones on both
sides of the vehicle when the vehicle speed
reaches approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher
and will alert the driver of vehicles in these areas.
NOTE:
The BSM system DOES NOT alert the driver
about rapidly approaching vehicles that are
outside the detection zones.
The BSM system detection zone DOES NOT
change if your vehicle is towing a trailer. There -
fore, visually verify the adjacent lane is clear for
both your vehicle and trailer before making a
lane change. If the trailer or other object (i.e.,
bicycle, sports equipment) extends beyond the
side of your vehicle, this may result in the BSM
Warning Light remaining illuminated the entire
time the vehicle is in a forward gear. See
Ú page 215 for more information.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may
experience dropouts (blinking on and off) of the
side mirror warning indicator lights when a
motorcycle or any small object remains at the
side of the vehicle for extended periods of time
(more than a couple of seconds).
The BSM system can become blocked if snow, ice,
mud, or other road contaminations accumulate on
the rear fascia/bumper where the radar sensors
are located. The system may also detect a
blockage if the vehicle is operated in areas with
extremely low radar returns, such as a desert, or
parallel to a large elevation drop. If a blockage is
detected, a “Blind Spot Temporarily Unavailable,
Wipe Rear Corners” message will display in the
instrument cluster, both mirror lights will
illuminate, and BSM and RCP alerts will be
disabled. This is normal operation. The system will
automatically resume function when the condition
clears. To minimize system blockage, do not block
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and
adjust the trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.6

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 287

342IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
TO STOW THE FLAT OR SPARE
See the following steps for stowing the flat or spare
tire:

1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is
facing upward and toward the rear of the
vehicle for convenience in checking the spare
tire inflation. Slide the wheel retainer through
the center of the wheel.

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of the
cable and position it properly across the wheel
opening.

Reinstalling The Retainer
3. Attach the lug wrench to the extension tubes
with the curved angle facing away from the
vehicle. Insert the extension tubes through the
access hole between the lower tailgate and
the top of the fascia/bumper and into the
winch mechanism tube.

Winch Mechanism Access Hole
4. Rotate the lug wrench handle clockwise until
the wheel is drawn into place against the
underside of the vehicle. Continue to rotate
until you feel the winch mechanism slip, or
click three or four times. It cannot be
overtightened. Push against the tire several
times to ensure it is firmly in place.

Reinstalling The Flat Or Spare Tire

CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack wrench extension tool only. Use of air
wrench or power tool may damage the winch.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision
or hard stop could endanger the occupants of
the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the
spare tire in the places provided. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced
immediately.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 342

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.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 350