JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

the windshield or camera lens will cause the
system to function improperly.
Daytime Running Lights — If
Equipped
The Daytime Running Lights (low intensity)
come on whenever the engine is running, and
the transmission is not in the PARK position.
The lights will remain on until the ignition is
switched to the OFF or ACC position or the
parking brake is engaged. Also, if a turn signal
is activated, the DRL lamp on the same side of
the vehicle will turn off for the duration of the
turn signal activation. Once the turn signal is no
longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate. The
headlight switch must be used for normal night-
time driving.
Disabling The Daytime Running Lights
To disable the Daytime Running Lights open
the hood and located the Power Distribution
Center (PDC), located on the right side of the
engine compartment.Open the PDC by pulling outward on the lock-
ing tabs (one on each side) and pulling upward
on the cover.Remove the left and right Daytime Running
Lamp relays and reinstall the PDC cover.
Automatic Headlight Leveling — HID
Headlights Only
This feature prevents the headlights from inter-
fering with the vision of oncoming drivers.
Headlight leveling automatically adjusts the
height of the headlight beam in reaction to
changes in vehicle pitch.
Headlight DelayTo aid in your exit, your vehicle is equipped with
a headlight delay that will leave the headlights
on for approximately 90 seconds. This delay is
PDC Location
Locking Tab
Daytime Running Light Relays
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initiated when the ignition is turned OFF while
the headlight switch is on, and then the head-
light switch is cycled off. Headlight delay can
be cancelled by either turning the headlight
switch on then off, or by turning the ignition ON.
The headlight delay time is programmable on
vehicles equipped with an Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-
Programmable Features” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Parking Lights and Panel Lights
To turn on the parking lights and instru-
ment panel lights, rotate the headlight
switch clockwise. To turn off the park-
ing lights, rotate the headlight switch back to
the O (Off) position.
Front And Rear Fog Lights — If
Equipped
The front and rear fog lights may be operated
as desired when visibility is poor due to fog.
The fog lights will activate in the following order:
Press the headlight switch once and the front
fog lights come on. Press the switch a second time and the rear fog lights will come on (front
fog lights stay on). Press the switch a third time
and the rear fog lights turn off (front fog stays
on). Press the switch a fourth times and the
front fog turns off. For vehicles without front fog,
rear fog will activate on the first press.
NOTE:
The headlight switch must first be turned to
the position lights or headlights position
before the fog lamp switch can be pushed in.
Interior LightsCourtesy and dome lights are turned on when
the front doors are opened, when the dimmer
control (rotating wheel on the right side of the
headlight switch) is rotated to the its farthest
upward position, or if equipped, when the UN-
LOCK button is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. When a door is open
and the interior lights are on, rotating the dim-
mer control all the way down, to the OFF detent,
will cause all the interior lights to go out. This is
also known as the “Party” mode because it
allows the doors to stay open for extended
periods of time without discharging the vehi-
cle’s battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting
can be regulated by rotating the dimmer con-
trol up (brighter) or down (dimmer). When the
headlights are on you can supplement the
brightness of the odometer, trip odometer, radio
and overhead console by rotating the control to
its farthest position up until you hear a click.
This feature is termed the “Parade” mode and
is useful when headlights are required during
the day.
Fog Light Operation
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Lights-On ReminderIf the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights
are left on after the ignition is turned OFF, a
chime will sound when the driver’s door is
opened.
Battery SaverTo protect the life of your vehicle’s battery, load
shedding is provided for both the interior and
exterior lights.
If the ignition is OFF and any door is left ajar for
10 minutes or the dimmer control is rotated all
the way up to the dome ON position for 10 min-
utes, the interior lights will automatically turn off.If the headlights remain on while the ignition is
cycled OFF, the exterior lights will automatically
turn off after eight minutes. If the headlights are
turned on and left on for eight minutes while the
ignition is OFF, the exterior lights will automati-
cally turn off.
NOTE:
Battery saver mode is cancelled if the igni-
tion is ON.
Front Map/Reading Lights
The front map/reading lights are mounted in the
overhead console.
Each light can be turned on by pressing a
switch on either side of the console. These
buttons are backlit for night time visibility. To
turn the lights off, press the switch a second
time. The lights will also turn on when the
UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) is pressed.Dimmer Control
Front Map/Reading Lights
Front Map/Reading Light Switches
109

Ambient LightThe overhead console is equipped with an
ambient light feature. This light casts illumina-
tion for improved visibility of the floor center
console and PRNDL area.
Multifunction LeverThe multifunction lever is located on the left
side of the steering column.
Turn SignalsMove the multifunction lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument
cluster flash to show proper operation of the
front and rear turn signal lights.
NOTE:
If either light remains on and does not flash,
or there is a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator
fails to light when the lever is moved, it
would suggest that the indicator bulb is
defective.
Lane Change AssistTap the lever up or down once, without moving
beyond the detent, and the turn signal (right or
left) will flash three times then automatically turn
off.
Flash-To-PassYou can signal another vehicle with your head-
lights by partially pulling the multifunction lever
toward the steering wheel. This will cause the
high beam headlights to turn on until the lever
is released.
High/Low Beam SwitchPush the multifunction lever toward the instru-
ment panel to switch the headlights to high
beam. Pulling the multifunction back toward the
steering wheel will turn the low beams back on,
or shut the high beams off.
Ambient Light
Multifunction Lever
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND
WASHERS
The windshield wiper/washer control lever is
located on the left side of the steering column.
The front wipers are operated by rotating a
switch, located on the end of the lever. For
information on the rear wiper/washer, refer to
“Rear Window Features” in “Understanding The
Features Of Your Vehicle”.
Windshield Wiper OperationRotate the end of the lever to one of the first four
detent positions for intermittent settings, the
fifth detent for low wiper operation and the sixth
detent for high wiper operation.
CAUTION!
Always remove any buildup of snow that
prevents the windshield wiper blades from
returning to the “park” position. If the wind-
shield wiper switch is turned off, and the
blades cannot return to the “park” position,
damage to the wiper motor may occur.
Intermittent Wiper SystemUse one of the four intermittent wiper settings
when weather conditions make a single wiping
cycle, with a variable delay between cycles,
desirable. At driving speeds above 10 mph
(16 km/h), the delay can be regulated from a
maximum of approximately 18 seconds be-
tween cycles (first detent), to a cycle every one
second (fourth detent).
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving less than 10 mph
(16 km/h), delay times will be doubled.
Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wiper Operation
Intermittent Wiper Operation
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Windshield Washer OperationTo use the washer, push on the end of the lever
(toward the steering wheel) and hold while
spray is desired. If the lever is pushed while in
the intermittent setting, the wipers will turn on
and operate for several wipe cycles after the
end of the lever is released, and then resume
the intermittent interval previously selected.
If the end of the lever is pushed while the
wipers are in the off position, the wipers will
operate for several wipe cycles, then turn off.WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the wind-
shield could lead to a collision. You might not
see other vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid
sudden icing of the windshield during freezing
weather, warm the windshield with the de-
froster before and during windshield washer
use.
MistUse the Mist feature when weather conditions
make occasional usage of the wipers neces-
sary. Rotate the end of the lever downward to
the Mist position and release for a single wiping
cycle.
NOTE:
The mist feature does not activate the
washer pump; therefore, no washer fluid will
be sprayed on the windshield. The wash
function must be used in order to spray the
windshield with washer fluid.Rain Sensing Wipers — If EquippedThis feature senses moisture on the windshield
and automatically activates the wipers for the
driver. The feature is especially useful for road
splash or overspray from the windshield wash-
ers of the vehicle ahead. Rotate the end of the
multifunction lever to one of four settings to
activate this feature.
The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted
with the multifunction lever. Wiper delay posi-
tion 1 is the least sensitive, and wiper delay
position 4 is the most sensitive. Setting 3 should
be used for normal rain conditions. Settings 1
and 2 can be used if the driver desires less
Windshield Washer Operation
Mist Control
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wiper sensitivity. Settings 4 can be used if the
driver desires more sensitivity. Place the wiper
switch in the OFF position when not using the
system.
NOTE:
•The Rain Sensing feature will not operate
when the wiper switch is in the low or
high-speed position.
• The Rain Sensing feature may not func-
tion properly when ice, or dried salt water
is present on the windshield.
• Use of Rain-X or products containing
wax or silicone may reduce Rain Sensing
performance.
• A customer programmable feature in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) allows the Rain Sensing feature to
be turned off. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Set-
tings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information. The Rain Sensing system has protection fea-
tures for the wiper blades and arms, and will
not operate under the following conditions:
•
Low Ambient Temperature — When the
ignition is first turned ON, the Rain Sensing
system will not operate until the wiper switch
is moved, vehicle speed is greater than
0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside temperature is
greater than 32°F (0°C).
• Transmission In NEUTRAL Position —
When the ignition is ON, and the transmis-
sion is in the NEUTRAL position, the Rain
Sensing system will not operate until the
wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or the shift lever
is moved out of the NEUTRAL position.
TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING
COLUMN
This feature allows you to tilt the steering col-
umn upward or downward. It also allows you to
lengthen or shorten the steering column. The
tilt/telescoping lever is located below the steer-
ing wheel at the end of the steering column. To unlock the steering column, push the lever
downward (toward the floor). To tilt the steering
column, move the steering wheel upward or
downward as desired. To lengthen or shorten
the steering column, pull the steering wheel
outward or push it inward as desired. To lock
the steering column in position, push the lever
upward until fully engaged.
Tilt/Telescoping Lever
11 3

WARNING!
Do not adjust the steering column while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering column while driv-
ing or driving with the steering column un-
locked, could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle. Be sure the steering column is
locked before driving your vehicle. Failure to
follow this warning may result in serious injury
or death.
POWER TILT/TELESCOPING
STEERING COLUMN — IF
EQUIPPED
This feature allows you to tilt the steering col-
umn upward or downward. It also allows you to
lengthen or shorten the steering column. The
power tilt/telescoping steering column lever is
located below the multifunction lever on the
steering column.To tilt the steering column, move the lever up or
down as desired. To lengthen or shorten the
steering column, pull the lever toward you or
push the lever away from you as desired.
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with Driver Memory
Seat, you can use your Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the memory
switch on the driver’s door trim panel to
return the tilt/telescopic steering column to
pre-programmed positions. Refer to “Driver
Memory Seat” in this section for further
information.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the steering column while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering column while driv-
ing or driving with the steering column un-
locked, could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle. Be sure the steering column is
locked before driving your vehicle. Failure to
follow this warning may result in serious injury
or death.
HEATED STEERING WHEEL — IF
EQUIPPED
The steering wheel contains a heating element
that helps warm your hands in cold weather.
The heated steering wheel has only one tem-
perature setting. Once the heated steering
wheel has been turned on it will operate for
approximately 58 to 70 minutes before auto-
matically shutting off. The heated steering
wheel can shut off early or may not turn on
when the steering wheel is already warm.
The heated steering wheel switch is located on
the switch bank below the climate controls.
Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering
11 4

Press the switch to turn
on the heated steering
wheel. The light on the
switch will illuminate to
indicate the steering
wheel heater is on.
Pressing the switch a
second time will turn off
the heated steering
wheel and light indicator.
NOTE:
The engine must be running for the heated
steering wheel to operate.
Vehicles Equipped With Remote Start
On models that are equipped with remote start,
the heated steering wheel can be programmed
to come on during a remote start. Refer to
“Remote Starting System — If Equipped” in
“Things to Know Before Starting Your Vehicle”
for further information.
WARNING!
•Persons who are unable to feel pain to the
skin because of advanced age, chronic
illness, diabetes, spinal cord injury, medi-
cation, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other
physical conditions must exercise care
when using the steering wheel heater. It
may cause burns even at low tempera-
tures, especially if used for long periods.
• Do not place anything on the steering
wheel that insulates against heat, such as a
blanket or steering wheel covers of any
type and material. This may cause the
steering wheel heater to overheat.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLWhen engaged, the Electronic Speed Control
takes over accelerator operations at speeds
greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Electronic Speed Control buttons are lo-
cated on the right side of the steering wheel. NOTE:
In order to ensure proper operation, the
Electronic Speed Control System has been
designed to shut down if multiple Speed
Control functions are operated at the same
time. If this occurs, the Electronic Speed
Control System can be reactivated by push-
ing the Electronic Speed Control ON/OFF
button and resetting the desired vehicle set
speed.
1 — ON/OFF 2 — RES +
4 — CANCEL 3 — SET -
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To ActivatePush the ON/OFF button. The Cruise Indicator
Light in the instrument cluster will illuminate. To
turn the system off, push the ON/OFF button a
second time. The Cruise Indicator Light will turn
off. The system should be turned off when not in
use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system
on when not in use is dangerous. You could
accidentally set the system or cause it to go
faster than you want. You could lose control
and have an accident. Always leave the sys-
tem OFF when you are not using it.
To Set A Desired SpeedTurn the Electronic Speed Control ON. When
the vehicle has reached the desired speed,
press the SET (-) button and release. Release
the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at
the selected speed.NOTE:
The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed and on level ground before pressing
the SET button.
To DeactivateA soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the
CANCEL button, or normal brake pressure
while slowing the vehicle will deactivate Elec-
tronic Speed Control without erasing the set
speed memory. Pressing the ON/OFF button or
turning the ignition switch OFF erases the set
speed memory.
To Resume SpeedTo resume a previously set speed, push the
RES (+) button and release. Resume can be
used at any speed above 20 mph (32 km/h).
To Vary The Speed SettingWhen the Electronic Speed Control is set, you
can increase speed by pushing the RES (+)
button. If the button is continually pressed, the
set speed will continue to increase until the
button is released, then the new set speed will
be established.Pressing the RES (+) button once will result in a
1 mph (2 km/h) increase in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in an
increase of 1 mph (2 km/h).
To decrease speed while the Electronic Speed
Control is set, push the SET (-) button. If the
button is continually held in the SET (-) position,
the set speed will continue to decrease until the
button is released. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new set
speed will be established.
Pressing the SET (-) button once will result in a
1 mph (2 km/h) decrease in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in a de-
crease of 1 mph (2 km/h).
To Accelerate For PassingPress the accelerator as you would normally.
When the pedal is released, the vehicle will
return to the set speed.
Using Electronic Speed Control On Hills
The transmission may downshift on hills to
maintain the vehicle set speed.
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