Jeep Cherokee (KL): 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 under "Recreational Towing" in the "Starting And Operating" section.

  4X4 MODELS
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground FWD MODELS 1-SPEED POWER TRANSFER UNIT 2-SPEED POWER TRANSFER UNIT
Flat Tow NONE NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED See instructions under "Recreational Towing" in "Starting And Operating"
  • Transmission in PARK
  • Power Transfer Unit in NEUTRAL
  • Tow in forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Front OK NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD OK BEST METHOD

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 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 parking 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.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC position. Note that the Safehold feature will engage the Electric Park Brake whenever the driver's door is opened (if the 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 position, you must manually disable the Electric Park Brake each time the driver's door is opened, by pressing the brake pedal and then pushing the EPB switch down.

If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle's battery is discharged, refer to "Shift Lever Override" in this section for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK so that the vehicle can be moved.

CAUTION!

  • Do not use sling type equipment when towing.

    Vehicle damage may occur.

  • 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.

  • Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.

Front-wheel drive (fwd) models

The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If flatbed equipment is not available, this vehicle must towed with the front wheels OFF the ground (using a towing dolly, or wheel lift equipment with the front wheels raised).

Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.

CAUTION!

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

4X4 models with 1-speed power transfer unit

The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels OFF the ground.

Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of vehicle raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly.

CAUTION!

  • DO NOT tow this vehicle with ANY of its wheels on the ground. Damage to the drivetrain will result.
  • Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal damage to the transmission or power transfer unit 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 power transfer unit damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

4X4 models with 2-speed power transfer unit

The manufacturer recommends towing with all four 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 Power Transfer Unit is operable, vehicles with a 2-speed Power Transfer Unit may be towed (in the forward direction, with ALL wheels on the ground), under the following conditions:

  • The Power Transfer Unit must be in NEUTRAL (N).
  • The transmission must be in PARK.
  • Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.

Refer to "Recreational Towing" in "Starting and Operating" for detailed instructions.

CAUTION!

  • Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal damage to the transmission or power transfer unit 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 power transfer unit damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

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