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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owners Manual - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION



AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK.

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IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK

This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park Interlock which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to the OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid inadvertently leaving the vehicle without placing the transmission in PARK. This system also locks the transmission in PARK whenever the ignition is in the OFF mode.

The transmission is NOT locked in PARK when the ignition is in the ACC mode (even though the engine will be off). Ensure that the transmission is in PARK, and the ignition is OFF (not in ACC mode) before exiting the vehicle.

BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM

This vehicle is equipped with a BTSI system that holds the transmission gear selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of PARK, the engine must be running and the brake pedal must be pressed. The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.

FUEL ECONOMY (ECO) MODE

The Fuel Economy (ECO) mode can improve the vehicle's overall fuel economy during normal driving conditions. Push the “ECO” switch in the center stack of the instrument panel to activate or disable ECO mode. A light on the switch indicates when ECO mode is disabled.

When the Fuel Economy (ECO) Mode is engaged, the vehicle control systems will change the following:

    The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift later.
    The overall driving performance will be more conservative.
    Vehicles with Quadra-Lift air suspension will operate in "Aero" mode over a broader speed range page 115.
    Some ECO mode functions may be tempo- rarily inhibited based on temperature and other factors.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) — If Equipped

The ANC system uses four microphones embedded in the headliner to detect undesirable exhaust noise, which sometimes occurs when operating in specific driving conditions such as ECO and Tow mode. An on-board frequency generator creates

counteracting sound waves through the audio system to help keep the vehicle quiet.

EIGHT—SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The transmission gear range is displayed both beside the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To select a gear range, push the lock button on the gear selector and move the selector rearward or forward. To shift the transmission out of PARK (P), the engine must be running and the brake pedal must be pressed. You must also press the brake pedal to shift from NEUTRAL (N) into DRIVE (D) or

continuously until the selector is returned to the proper position, or the requested shift can be completed.

The electronically-controlled transmission adapts its shift schedule based on driver inputs, along with environmental and road conditions.

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting between these gears.

Gear Selector 4

REVERSE (R) when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds. Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.

    The transmission electronics are self-cali- brating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles (kilome- ters).
    In the event of a mismatch between the gear selector position and the actual transmission gear (for example, driver selects PARK while driving), the position indicator will blink

The transmission gear selector provides PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and MANUAL (M) or SPORT

(S) (AutoStick) shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control. Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL or SPORT (AutoStick) position (beside the DRIVE position), or tapping the shift paddles (+/-), (if equipped) will manually select the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster page 111.

If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed forward), it is probably in the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE position). In AutoStick mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Move the gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.

Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting out of PARK or NEUTRAL.

After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is especially important when the engine is cold.

This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.

When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.

When exiting the vehicle, always:

    Apply the parking brake
    Shift the transmission into PARK
    Turn the ignition OFF
    Remove the key fob from the vehicle NOTE:

On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the transfer case is in a drive position.

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    Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not blinking.
    With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.

This range is for moving the vehicle backward.

Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has

come to a complete stop. 4

Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running.

Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.

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The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position:

    When shifting into PARK, push the lock button on the gear selector and firmly move the selector all the way forward until it stops and is fully seated.

This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears.

When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control to select a lower gear page 111. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.

During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F

[-30°C] or below), transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.

The MANUAL (M, +/-) or SPORT (S, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE position) enables full manual control of transmission shifting (also known as AutoStick mode page 111). Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL or SPORT (AutoStick) position will manually select the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster.

Transmission Limp Home Mode Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a

condition is detected that could result in

transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all. Vehicle performance may

be severely degraded and the engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and indicate what actions may be necessary.

In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:

In cases where the instrument cluster message indicates the transmission may not re-engage after engine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired location (preferably, at an authorized dealer):

    Stop the vehicle.
    Shift the transmission into PARK (P), if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
    Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns off.
    Wait approximately 30 seconds.
    Restart the engine.
    Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.

Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. An autho- rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to

Shift Paddles

AutoStick mode has the following operational benefits:

    The transmission will automatically down- shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will display the current gear.
    The transmission will automatically down- shift to first gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle is acceler- ated.

assess the condition of your transmission. If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is required.

AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature providing manual shift control, giving you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations.

In AutoStick mode, you can use the gear selector (in the MANUAL or SPORT position), or the shift paddles (if equipped), to manually shift the transmission. To activate AutoStick mode, move the gear selector into the MANUAL (M) or SPORT (S) position (beside the DRIVE position), or tap one of the shift paddles on the steering wheel (if equipped). Tapping the (-) shift paddle (if equipped) to enter AutoStick mode will downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while tapping (+) to enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear. The current transmission gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster.

    You can start out, from a stop, in FIRST or SECOND gear (or THIRD gear, in 4L range, SNOW mode, or SAND mode). Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in SECOND gear. Starting out in SECOND or THIRD gear can be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
    If a requested downshift would cause the engine to over-speed, that shift will not occur.
    The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
    Holding the (-) paddle pressed (if equipped), or holding the gear selector in the (-) position, will downshift the transmission to the lowest gear possible at the current speed.
    Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick is enabled.
    The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault or overheat condition is detected.

When Selec-Speed or Hill Descent Control is enabled, AutoStick is not active.

To disengage AutoStick, return the gear selector to the DRIVE position, or press and hold the (+) shift paddle (if equipped, and the gear selector is already in DRIVE) until "D" is once again indicated in the instrument cluster. You can shift in or out of AutoStick at any time without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.


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