automatic transmission JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

Towing TipsBefore setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing the trailer in an area
away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs while in
this range, the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped),
or a lower gear range, should be selected.
NOTE:
Using TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or se-
lecting a lower gear range (using the Elec-tronic Range Select (ERS) shift control)
while operating the vehicle under heavy op-
erating conditions, will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by re-
ducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
This action will also provide better engine
braking.
The transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the transmission fluid level before
towing (5.7L engine).
To avoid transmission overheating, when
towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at
low speeds (20 mph (32 km/h) or below),
holding your vehicle in first gear (using the
ERS shift control) is recommended (5.7L
Models Only).
274

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheel OFF the Ground Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONESee Instructions
•
Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with Quadra-Lift™ must be lowered to the “Park” (lowest) level, and have automatic leveling disabled, before tying
them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to “Quadra-Lift™ – If Equipped” in “Starting and Operating” for more infor-
mation. If the vehicle cannot be lowered to the “Park” level (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not
to the body). Failure to follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or loss of proper tie-down tension.
276

7. For vehicle equipped with Quadra-Liftrefer
to “Quadra-Lift — If Equipped” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information on disabling
automatic leveling.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings
to help prevent personal injury or damage to
your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far
from the edge of the roadway as possible
before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an
automatic transmission in PARK.
• Never start or run the engine with the
vehicle on a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it
is on a jack.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire
change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be ex-
tremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated,
are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking
on locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle. 1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and tools from
storage.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug
nuts by turning them to the left, one turn, while
the wheel is still on the ground.
3. Assemble the jack and jacking tools.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.Jack Warning Label
Jack and Tool Assembly
284

WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is
frozen. It could rupture or explode and cause
personal injury.
Preparations For Jump-StartThe battery in your vehicle is located under the
passenger’s front seat. There are remote loca-
tions located under the hood to assist in jump-
starting.
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan
whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is on. You can
be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as watch
bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact. You could be
seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn
your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen
gas which is flammable and explosive.
Keep open flames or sparks away from the
battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic
transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to
LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unneces-
sary electrical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over the re-
mote positive (+)battery post. Pull upward on
the cover to remove it. 4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the
battery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cables reach, set the parking brake and make
sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as
this could establish a ground connection and
personal injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in
personal injury or property damage due to
battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result
in damage to the charging system of the
booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper
cable to the remote positive (+)post of the
discharged vehicle.
Remote Battery Posts
1 — Remote Positive (+) Post
(covered with protective cap)
2 — Remote Negative (-) Post
288

5. Press and maintain firm pressure on the
brake pedal.6. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, press
and hold the shift lock lever down.
7. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL posi-
tion.
8. The vehicle may then be started in NEU-
TRAL.
9. Reinstall the shift lever override access
cover and install the rubber liner into the cup-
holder.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLEThis section describes procedures for towing a
disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker
service. If the transmission and drivetrain are
operable, disabled vehicles may also be towedas described under “Recreational Towing” in
the “Starting And Operating” section.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with Quadra-Lift™ must
be lowered to the Park (lowest) level, and
have automatic leveling disabled, before ty-
ing them down (from the body) on a trailer or
flatbed truck. Refer to the section on
Quadra-Lift™ for more information. If the
vehicle cannot be lowered to the Park level
(for example, engine will not run), tie-downs
must be fastened to the axles (not to the
body). Failure to follow these instructions
may cause fault codes to be set and/or loss
of proper tie-down tension.
Shift Lever Override Access Cover
291

Towing ConditionWheels OFF the Ground 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONESee instructions in “Recreational Towing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to
prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow
bars and other equipment designed for the
purpose, following equipment manufacturer’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory.
Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bum-
pers or associated brackets. State and local
laws applying to vehicles under tow must be
observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, de-
frosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC
position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
(under Starting and Operating, Automatic
Transmission) for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of the PARK posi-
tion for towing.
CAUTION!
•
Do not attempt to use sling type equipment
when towing. When securing the vehicle to
a flat bed truck, do not attach to front or rear
suspension components. Damage to your
vehicle may result from improper towing.
• If the vehicle being towed requires steering,
the ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC
position, not in the LOCK/OFF position.
292

•Body Lubrication ........................ 305
• Windshield Wiper Blades ................... 306
• Adding Washer Fluid ...................... 307
• Exhaust System ......................... 307
• Cooling System ......................... 308
• Brake System .......................... 311
• Front/Rear Axle Fluid ...................... 312
• Transfer Case .......................... 313
• Automatic Transmission .................... 313
• Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion ..... 315
• FUSES ................................ 318
• Totally Integrated Power Module ............... 318
• VEHICLE STORAGE ........................ 321
• REPLACEMENT BULBS ...................... 322
• BULB REPLACEMENT ....................... 322
• High Intensity Discharge Headlamps
(HID) – If Equipped ....................... 322
• Halogen Headlamps – If Equipped .............. 323
• Front Turn Signal ........................ 323
• Front Fog Lamps ........................ 323
• Rear Tail, Stop, and Turn Signal Lamps ........... 324
• Rear Liftgate Mounted Tail Lamp ............... 324
296

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Air Cleaner Filter
299

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM –
OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This
system monitors the performance of the emis-
sions, engine, and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. When these systems are operat-
ing properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as
engine emissions well within current govern-
ment regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the
OBD II system will turn on the “Malfunction
Indicator Light” (MIL). It will also store diagnos-
tic codes and other information to assist your
service technician in making repairs. Although
your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could
cause further damage to the emission con-
trol system. It could also affect fuel
economy and drivability. The vehicle must
be serviced before any emissions tests can
be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is
running, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system
determines that the fuel filler cap is
loose, improperly installed, or
damaged, a loose gascap indica-
tor will display in the EVIC telltale
display area. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly
and press the SELECT button to turn off the message. If the problem continues, the mes-
sage will appear the next time the vehicle is
started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel
filler cap may also turn on the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL).
REPLACEMENT PARTSUse of genuine MOPAR
parts for normal/
scheduled maintenance and repairs is highly
recommended to ensure the designed perfor-
mance. Damage or failures caused by the use
of non-MOPAR parts for maintenance and
repairs will not be covered by the manufactur-
er’s warranty.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURESThe pages that follow contain the required
maintenance services determined by the engi-
neers who designed your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in
the fixed maintenance schedule, there are
other components which may require servicing
or replacement in the future.
301

Front Axle Fluid Level Check
The front axle oil level needs to be between
1/8 in (3 mm) below the bottom of the fill hole
and the bottom of the fill hole.
The front axle fill and drain plugs should be
tightened to 22 to 29 ft lbs (30 to 40 N·m).
CAUTION!
Do not over tighten the plugs as it could
damage them and cause them to leak.
Rear Axle Fluid Level Check
The rear axle oil level needs to be between
1/8 in (3 mm) below the bottom of the fill hole
and the bottom of the fill hole.
The rear axle fill and drain plugs should be
tightened to 22 to 29 ft lbs (30 to 40 N·m) on
axles with aluminum housings. The rear axle fill
and drain plugs should be tightened to 22 to
52 ft lbs (30 to 70 N·m) on axles with cast iron
housings.
CAUTION!
Do not over tighten the plugs as it could
damage then and cause them to leak.
Selection Of Lubricant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Transfer Case
Fluid Level Check
Inspect the transfer case for fluid leaks. If a fluid
leak is found, the transfer case fluid level can
be checked by removing the filler plug located
on the back side of the transfer case. The fluid
level should be at the bottom edge of the filler
plug hole when the vehicle is in a level position.
Adding Fluid
Add fluid at the filler hole, until it runs out of the
hole, when the vehicle is in a level position. Drain
First remove fill plug, then remove drain plug.
Recommended tightening torque for drain and
fill plugs is 15 to 25 ft lbs (20 to 34 N·m).
CAUTION!
When installing plugs, do not overtighten. You
could damage them and cause them to leak.
Selection Of Lubricant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used
in the transmission to assure optimum transmis-
sion performance. Use only the manufacturer’s
recommended transmission fluid. Refer to “Flu-
ids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information. It is
important that the transmission fluid be main-
tained at the prescribed level using the recom-
mended fluid. 313