Vehicle loading JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2005 WK / 3.G Owners Manual

Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
The tie-downs located on cargo area floor should be used
to safely secure loads when vehicle is moving.WARNING!
Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or collision
a hook could pull loose and allow the child seat to
come loose. A child could be badly injured. Use only
the anchors provided for child seat tethers.
WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle
handling. To avoid loss of control resulting in per-
sonal injury, follow these guidelines for loading
your vehicle:
Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3

•Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the label attached to the left door or left
door center pillar. Refer to “Vehicle Loading” in Sec-
tion 5 for additional information on cargo weights.
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
WARNING!
To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
Cargo Load Floor
The panel in the load floor is reversible for added utility.
One side is carpeted and the other side features a plastic
lined tray which holds a variety of items.
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

12. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light
This light will turn on continuously when there
is a low tire pressure condition. The light will
also turn on if a problem exists with any tire
sensor. When a system fault is detected, the
indicator lamp will flash repetitively for ten seconds. The
flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the fault
condition is removed and reset. The light will remain on
or flashing until the tire pressure is properly set or the
problem with the sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes thetire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard. (See page 269 for more information.)
13. 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
4

EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95= Load Index
—A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H= Speed Symbol
—A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
—The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
....blank....= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL)= Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load= Light Load Tire
C,D,E= Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load— Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure—
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:The proper cold tire inflation pressure for pas-
senger cars is listed on either the face of the driver’s door
or the driver’s side “B” pillar. For vehicles other than
passenger cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed
on either the shutface of the driver’s door, the “B” pillar,
the Certification Label or in the Tire Inflation Pressures
brochure in the glove compartment.
Tire Placard Location
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5

Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
Tire and Loading Information
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WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:1. Safety—
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
•Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
•Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
•Overinflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Always drive with each tire properly inflated.
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Tread Wear Indicators
These indicators are narrow strips 1/16 inch (1.6 mm)
thick and are found in the tread pattern grooves.
When the tread pattern is worn down to these treadwear
indicators, the tires should be replaced.
Overloading your vehicle, long trips in very hot weather,
and driving on bad roads may result in greater wear.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct inflation pressure. The manufacturer
strongly recommends that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in quality and performance when replacement
is needed (see section on tread wear indicators). Failure
to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect
the safety, handling, ride and fuel economy of your
vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original
equipment tire dealer on any questions you may have on
tire specifications or capability.
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WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of un-
approved tires and wheels may change suspension
dimensions and performance characteristics, resulting
in changes to steering, handling, and braking of your
vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling and
stress to steering and suspension components. You
could lose control and have an accident resulting in
serious injury or death. Use only the tire and wheel
sizes with load ratings approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire size
listed on your vehicle’s tire label. Using a smaller tire
could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
•Overloading your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for your vehicle - never overload them.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings. Check with your dealer before replacing tires
with a different size.
Alignment and Balance
The suspension components of your vehicle should be
inspected and aligned when needed, to obtain maximum
tire tread life.
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•reduced tread life;
•uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear;
•vehicle pull to the right or to the left.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

manual. When your vehicle is used for trailer towing,
never exceed the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) by the
addition of:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
•Be sure a trailer is loaded heavier in front, about 10%
to 15% of gross trailer weight. Loads balanced over the
wheels or heavier in the rear cause the trailer to sway
severelyside to side which will cause loss of control ofthe vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier
in front is the cause of many trailer related accidents.
•Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
•Trailer brakes are required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
•Donotconnect a trailer lighting system directly to the
lighting system of your vehicle. Use an approved
trailer wiring harness. Failure to do so could damage
the vehicle electrical system and/or result in personal
injury.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer,do notover-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, body
structure or tires.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING