2022 Jeep Cherokee Owners Manual - Towing a Disabled Vehicle

Towing a Disabled Vehicle

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial towing service.

If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled 4x4 vehicles may also be towed as described on .

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equipment designed for this 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 fascia/bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles under tow must be observed.

Note:

• You must ensure that the Auto Park Brake  feature is disabled before towing this vehicle to avoid inadvertent Electric Park Brake engagement. The Auto Park Brake feature is enabled or disabled via the customer programmable features in the Uconnect Settings.

• Vehicles with a discharged battery, or total electrical failure when the Electric Park Brake (EPB) is engaged, will need a wheel dolly or jack to raise the rear wheels off the ground when moving the vehicle onto a flatbed.

• The Safehold feature will engage the Electric Park Brake whenever the driver's door is opened (if the battery is connected, ignition is ON, transmission is not in PARK, and brake pedal is released). If you are towing this vehicle with the ignition in the ON/RUN mode, you must manually disable the Electric Park Brake each time the driver's door is opened by pressing the brake pedal and then releasing the EPB.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode.

If the vehicle's battery is discharged, instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK (P) in order to move the vehicle .

CAUTION:

• Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Vehicle damage may occur.

• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension components. If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-lift air suspension, secure vehicle only with tire/wheel straps (no suspension components or body) to prevent air suspension from adjusting during towing against securement straps and causing damage. Damage to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS

FCA US LLC recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels off the ground) under the following conditions:

• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL (N). For instructions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) when the engine is off .

• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).

• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).

CAUTION:

• Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km) with rear wheels on the ground can cause severe transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels ON the ground.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODELS

FCA US LLC recommends towing with all wheels OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly.

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case is operable, vehicles with a two-speed transfer case may be towed (in the forward direction, with ALL wheels on the ground), IF the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission is in PARK .

Vehicles equipped with a single-speed transfer case have no NEUTRAL (N) position, and therefore must be towed will all four wheels OFF the ground.

CAUTION:

• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.

• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED

If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be two mounted on the front of the vehicle and one in the rear. The rear tow hook will be located on the driver's side of the vehicle.

CAUTION:

Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could damage your vehicle.

Front Tow Hooks

Note:

For off road recovery, it is recommended to use both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle.

Rear Tow Hook

WARNING:

• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.

• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious injury.