How To Keep Jeep Grand Cherokee In Good Condition

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: July 26, 2023

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was not created only for transportation. It also has many features designed to provide comfort while traveling from point A to point B or transporting baggage or heavy loads.

If you want your Jeep Grand Cherokee to serve longer, it is necessary to take care of it by inspecting the components and doing regular maintenance.

This article contains tips for looking after your Jeep Grand Cherokee and extending its lifespan. Following them will assure you that every trip will bring you joy and comfort.

Engine Setup

A Grand Cherokee's engine is a vehicle`s heart; you largely depend on its performance. It is important to open a hood occasionally to check if the engine and its components are fine and working as they should.

Regularly Change Filters in Jeep Grand Cherokee

Filters play an important role in the smooth operation of the engine. As the name implies, they filter what gets inside the motor, preventing contamination from entering.

Over time, the filters become clogged, so they need to be replaced.

Therefore, replace the filters according to the recommended Jeep Grand Cherokee maintenance schedule for the correct engine operation.

As a general rule of thumb, you may also consider the following tips:

• Air filter - once a year or 12 thousand miles;
• Oil filter - with each oil change;
• Fuel filter - once every 12-15 thousand miles.

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Don’t forget about spark plugs

Jeep Grand Cherokee’s spark plugs are responsible for burning the fuel-air mixture in the engine cylinders. When they wear out, the engine begins to work unevenly, the car accelerates poorly, and fuel consumption increases.

Therefore, if you notice that the engine doesn't work as it should, try to check the spark plugs. If there is soot or dirt on them, they are likely already out of order, and it is time to replace them.

Usually, the spark plug replacement interval is 80-100 thousand miles.

It is recommended to replace the high-voltage wires with spark plugs - their malfunction can also lead to the symptoms listed above.

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Keep an eye on the overall condition of your Jeep Grand Cherokee's engine

The engine is a complex mechanism. It has thousands of elements that must work flawlessly to ensure the reliability and durability of the power unit. 

Therefore, if even some small or seemingly insignificant part fails, it can lead to unstable operation or engine failure. Therefore, you need to constantly monitor the condition of your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s engine and take measures in case of any. Here are some signs that something is wrong with the engine:

• Strange sounds during engine operation - knocking, whistling, howling, unstable operation may indicate that something is wrong with the engine;
• A visual inspection of the engine can help diagnose many malfunctions, such as a crack, leaking oil and/or antifreeze, and loose fasteners, all of which require a quick fix to prevent future problems;
• Smoke. If smoke began to pour from the exhaust system, this may indicate a major engine malfunction. If the smoke is thick and white, this is a sign that the oil is burning, which can also mean general issues with the engine. If, on the contrary, the smoke is black - the fuel-air mixture is too rich, and too much fuel is burned.
• Unstable engine operation, jerks during acceleration, poor acceleration - all signs that something is wrong with the engine.

If you notice at least one of these signs, we advise you not to waste time but to find the cause of the engine malfunction as soon as possible. A small problem can be fixed easily, but if ignored for a long time, it will lead to a more expensive and difficult repair.

Pay extra attention to the timing system

 

The gas distribution system of the engine can be of two types: a belt or a chain.

It is responsible for opening and closing the valves and starting the pump. Over time, the timing drive wears out and no longer has the strength it had from the factory.

The chain stretches while the belt cracks, and as a result - it can simply break, leading to the bending of the valves and damage to the pistons. Therefore, do not forget to change the gas distribution drive on your Jeep Grand Cherokee:

• Belt - runs approx. 60-100 thousand miles;
• Chain - it handles 200-250 thousand miles calmly

Fluids

Fluids in the Jeep Grand Cherokee contribute to optimally operating all systems and units.

Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, and fuel - all ensure the uninterrupted operation of various car systems.

Regularly check the Jeep Grand Cherokee's oil level

Engine oil is one of the most important fluids in the engine. It is responsible for lubricating all motor elements that are actively moving and encounter friction, which prevents them from overheating. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of lubricant in the engine and its condition.

How to check your Grand Cherokee's engine motor oil?

• You should check your engine only when it's cold. You should not check the oil level immediately after a trip, even more so with the engine running!  When heated, the lubricant expands, which leads to an increase in pressure in the system - and the hot liquid can shoot you in the face - therefore, after the car shuts down, you need to give it at least 10-15 minutes to cool down;
• Find the oil dipstick. Usually, it's located somewhere on the side of the engine;
• Pull out the dipstick from its seat - usually, it can be either unscrewed or pulled out;
• Wipe the dipstick from the oil with a cloth or napkin and insert it back;
• Pull out the dipstick again and look at the oil level: it should not be too little, but not too much. The best amount is when the oil level is slightly above the middle mark; The oil turns black during operation - it is a normal process. However, keeping an eye on the lubricant is necessary to ensure it is clean without extraneous contaminations like shavings, sand, or any other tiny particles. This may be an indication of engine malfunction that requires immediate repair.

Remember that the Jeep Grand Cherokee engine oil must be replaced regularly. Choose the oil with the viscosity recommended by the manufacturer.

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Check the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s coolant level

Antifreeze is also a very important element for proper engine operation. It prevents the motor from overheating, maintaining the required temperature. Enough antifreeze should be enough so the engine can cool in any condition.

How to check the coolant level on your Jeep Grand Cherokee?

• A coolant check has to be done on a cool engine only. If your Grand Cherokee was on a recent trip, let it cool down for a while;
• Find the expansion tank under the hood of the car. This is usually a large reservoir with several hoses running from it. Inside of it, you`ll find a colored liquid (antifreeze);
• Open the cover of the expansion tank. Look at the amount of antifreeze and its condition. It should be more than min, but slightly less than max;
• There should not be any debris in the antifreeze - shavings, dirt, etc. It should not be cloudy. If the liquid looks like that, it may be time to replace it. The antifreeze replacement interval is usually 20,000 miles or 2 years (whichever comes first).
• 

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Often check Jeep Grand Cherokee’s brake fluid level

Brake fluid is one of the key elements of road safety - it determines whether your brakes will work and how well they will behave on the road.

Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of your brake fluid: it should not be cloudy or dirty, and it should be in sufficient quantity. 

The brake fluid is in a special tank under the hood - not far from the master brake cylinder. Changing the brake fluid at least once every two years is necessary.

Check your washer fluid level

Unlike other liquids, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s windshield washer fluid level in the tank is not critical. However, your comfort depends on it. You may agree that driving with a dirty windshield and looking at the road through the dirt is not very pleasant.

Therefore, see how much washer fluid is left in the tank. It is under the hood, in the reservoir marked with the windshield washer icon. The liquid level is monitored visually - enough of it should be easily seen. If necessary, add liquid to the tank.

Do not use ordinary water for this - in the event of a temperature drop, it will freeze directly in the system, destroying the pipes and nozzles of the windshield washer.

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Use the fuel recommended by Jeep

Using fuel with an octane number recommended by the Jeep car manufacturer is important. If you fill the tank of the Grand Cherokee with fuel with a lower octane rating, it will lead to the detonation and destruction of the elements of the cylinder-piston group.

In addition, this leads to a loss of power - the Jeep Grand Cherokee will drive worse but with greater fuel consumption. Therefore, fill in the fuel that is advised in the user manual - in addition, the recommended type of fuel is often duplicated on the gas tank cap - in this way, you will definitely not make a mistake and fill in what is needed.

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Exterior Setup

Proper and correct care of the Jeep Grand Cherokee's exterior is an important aspect that should be remembered. If you follow certain rules, you will not only not harm but also do better for the car and yourself.

Always maintain your Jeep Grand Cherokee's headlights

Headlights are the eyes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the dark. They provide sufficient lighting and visibility in difficult areas during the trip.

Monitor the condition of Jeep Grand Cherokee’s headlights - should shine brightly, straight, and without any black areas. If the headlights are no longer as bright, you have several solutions.

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If the malfunction is caused by fogging, headlights must be polished;

Over time, Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight bulbs burn out and cannot shine as brightly as they did at the beginning. Remember to change the headlight bulbs on your Jeep in time.

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Replace Jeep Grand Cherokee windshield wipers

Jeep Grand Cherokee wipers play a crucial role in providing a safe driving experience, especially in challenging weather conditions. When the windshield becomes obstructed by rain, snow, or debris, clear visibility becomes vital to prevent any accidents on the road. 

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After some time, the rubber blades of Jeep Grand Cherokee wipers can deteriorate due to exposure to rain, sun, and other environmental factors. When wiper blades degrade, they lose their ability to clear the windshield, effectively leaving streaks and reducing visibility.

Watch out for corrosion on Jeep Grand Cherokee's body

Unfortunately, Jeep’s bodies are not eternal. They are made of metal, and metal is very susceptible to corrosion. Over time, cars begin to rust - at first, this is manifested by small rust spots. You can localize it and stop the corrosion if you notice it in time.

To do this, you need to inspect the Jeep Grand Cherokee for rust regularly, and if something similar is noticed - you need to treat and paint this element in time so that the corrosion does not spread further. 

Depending on the climate prevailing in the region, such inspections should be carried out more often or less often. In states where a humid climate prevails and winters are snowy and cold, cars suffer more from rust.

Suspension Setup

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's suspension was designed to overcome various bumps and minor obstacles on the road while providing the driver and passengers with comfort while moving.

Keep an eye on the condition of your suspension - it should work smoothly and gently overcome every obstacle. When driving, you should not hear knocking, grinding, whistling, or anything else - the suspension should work quietly. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee should not bounce on pits; it should keep forward in a straight line, and in turn, there shouldn't be a feeling of the vehicle being thrown from side to side: everything should be smooth.

If you begin to notice one or more of the above symptoms - you should contact a mechanic or deal with the problem yourself - suspension malfunctions can be dangerous, especially if you drive at high speeds.

Brakes

Working brakes provide an instant and quick stop in an emergency. When accelerating the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you must stop it just as easily. Watch for the condition of your brake system - it should be in perfect condition.

Brake pads

Refrain from skimping on the Jeep Grand Cherokee brake pads because your safety depends on them. Make sure that the working surface of the pad remains in sufficient condition - over time, it wears down from contact with the disk and needs to be replaced.

After replacing the pads, run the Grand Cherokee for about 60 miles. The pads will wear, but after this mileage, they should run perfectly smoothly - no biting, no sticking anywhere. If a similar problem continues, we advise you to disassemble the element and do it again.

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Brake rotors

Brake rotors also wear out over time and can no longer perform their function as they should. To prevent this, monitor their condition as well. Jeep Grand Cherokee brake rotors must be smooth, even, without chips, cracks, or traces of overheating.

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Wheels & Tires

Tires and wheels are inevitable components of any Grand Cherokee model. Their condition depends on safety, comfort, and driving experience. That's why it's important to check your tires occasionally to ensure they're fine.

Below, you can see the most important things to take into consideration while checking your tires:

• Tire pressure. The correct tire pressure provides a smooth, safe, and comfortable ride. To find out the right tire pressure for your car (PSI or Bar), check the fuel tank lid, door jamb from the driver's side or simply peep into your user`s owner manual;
• Condition of the tread. Tire tread provides you with grip and traction on the surface. When the tread wears too much - your Jeep Grand Cherokee “feels” less stable and controllable, especially on corners. So if you notice worn-out tread on your tires, it's time to replace them;
• Rolling of the rims. Rolling a wheel is necessary not only when noticeable dents form on it. Often, a violation of the geometry of the rim can be felt when moving. The main symptom is the appearance of vibration at speed;
• Change Jeep Grand Cherokee tires according to the season. When winter comes, it's important to switch to your winter tire set to provide oneself with safety, grip, and necessary performance on icy and snowy surfaces.

To Sum Everything Up

Maintaining your Jeep Grand Cherokee in good condition is important to prolonging its life.

Surely, it needs some effort from your side; however, you`ll be sure that all the Jeep Grand Cherokee`s components and constituents work as they should while delivering comfort and pleasure during your ride.