JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2013 WK2 / 4.G Owners Manual

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer up in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include an adaptive drive strategy
to avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, select
TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped), or a lower gear range
(using the Electronic Range Select [ERS] shift control).
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or
selecting a lower gear range (using the ERS shift control)
while operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This
action will also provide better engine braking.If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the transmis-
sion fluid and filter(s) as specified for “police, taxi, fleet,
or frequent trailer towing.” Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Check the transmission fluid level before towing
(5.7L engine).
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.5
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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.
SNOW PLOW
Snow plows, winches, and other aftermarket equipment
shouldnotbe added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in the
front end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpect-
edly or could fail to deploy during a collision.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheel OFF the GroundTwo-Wheel
Drive ModelsFour-Wheel
Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED See Instructions
•Transmission in PARK
•Transfer case in NEU-
TRAL (N)
•Tow in forward direc-
tion
Dolly Tow FrontNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK 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 thebody) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to “Quadra-
Lift™ – If Equipped” in “Starting and Operating” for
more information. If the vehicle cannot be lowered to the
“Park” level (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs5
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must be fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to
follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set
and/or cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the 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 rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Shift the transmission
into PARK.4. Turn the engine OFF and remove the key fob from the
ignition switch.
5. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer ’s instructions.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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Recreational Towing – Quadra-Trac I®
(Single-Speed Transfer Case) Four-Wheel Drive
Models
Recreational towing is not allowed.These models do
not have a NEUTRAL (N) position in the transfer case.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels areOFFthe
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing – Quadra–Trac II®
/Quadra–Drive® II Four-Wheel Drive Models
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and
the transmission must be in PARK for recreational tow-
ing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to the
transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the
selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a dolly is used when recreational towing.
•Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this ve-
hicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
(Continued)
5
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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 transfer case is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Failure to follow these procedures 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.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts 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.
574 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case 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 into PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.3. For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, remove the
Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button and use the key fob to
complete this procedure. Refer to “Installing And
Removing The ENGINE START/STOP Button/
Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Starting and Operating”
for how to remove the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 575

7.Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object, press
and hold the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
button (located by the selector switch) for four seconds.
The light behind the N symbol will blink, indicating
shift in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on
solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is complete. A
“FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” mes-
sage will display on the EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
8. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N)
light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
9. Start the engine.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
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11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
12. Turn the engine OFF, then turn the ignition switch
back to the ON/RUN position without starting the
engine.
13. Firmly apply the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine
is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.
15. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.16. Release the parking brake.
17. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 6 are requirements that must be met
before pressing the NEUTRAL (N) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met before press-
ing the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no longer met
during the shift, then the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements are met
or until the NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 577

•A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con-
nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
press and hold the recessed transfer case NEU-
TRAL (N) button (located by the selector switch) for
one second.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
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