2020 Jeep Cherokee Owner’s Manual

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee combines beauty and capability well. Starting at $25,935, it has numerous engine options, advanced 4×4 systems, a nice cabin, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and strong safety measures.

2023 JEEP CHEROKEE Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)

User Manual

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors, hood, liftgate, and the Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition for unauthorized operation. While the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, interior switches for door locks and liftgate release are disabled. If something triggers the alarm, the Vehicle Security Alarm will provide the following audible and visible signals:

1. The horn will pulse.
2. The turn signals will flash.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster will flash.

TO ARM THE SYSTEM
Follow these steps to arm the Vehicle Security Alarm:

1. Make sure the vehicle’s ignition is placed in the OFF position.
   1. For vehicles equipped with Keyless Entry, make sure the vehicle’s keyless ignition system is OFF.
2. Perform one of the following methods to lock the vehicle:
   1. Push the lock button on the interior power door lock switch with the driver and/or passenger door open.
   2. Push the lock button on the exterior Passive Entry door handle with a valid key fob available in the same exterior zone. Refer to “Doors” in “Getting To Know Your Vehicle” for further information.
   3. Push the lock button on the key fob.
3. If any doors are open, close them.

TO DISARM THE SYSTEM

The Vehicle Security Alarm can be disarmed using any of the following methods:

1. Push the unlock button on the key fob.
2. Grasp the Passive Entry door handle to unlock the door, refer to “Doors” in “Getting To Know Your Vehicle” for further information.
3. Place the ignition out of the OFF position to disarm the system.

NOTE:

1. The driver’s door key cylinder and the liftgate button on the key fob cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.
2. The Vehicle Security Alarm remains armed during power liftgate entry. Pushing the liftgate button will not disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm. If someone enters the vehicle through the liftgate and opens any door, the alarm will sound.
3. When the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, the interior power door lock switches will not unlock the doors.

The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your vehicle. However, you can create conditions where the system will give you a false alarm. If one of the previously described arming sequences has occurred, the Vehicle Security Alarm will arm, regardless of whether you are in the vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle and open a door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.
If the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed and the battery becomes disconnected, the Vehicle Security Alarm will remain armed when the battery is reconnected; the exterior lights will flash, and the horn will sound. If this occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

REARMING OF THE SYSTEM
If something triggers the alarm and no action is taken to disarm it, the Vehicle Security system will turn the horn off after a 29 second cycle (with five seconds between cycles and up to eight cycles if the trigger remains active) and then rearm itself.

SECURITY SYSTEM MANUAL OVERRIDE
The Vehicle Security Alarm will not arm if you lock the doors using the manual door locks.

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION

1-SPEED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides on-demand four-wheel drive (4X4). The system is automatic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills required. Under normal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction, power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve vehicle launch and performance characteristics.

CAUTION
All wheels must have the same size and type of tires. Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.

2-SPEED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) —IF EQUIPPED

2-Speed 4×4 Switch

2-Speed 4×4 Switch (with Rear Lock)

The Four-Wheel Drive is fully automatic in the normal driving mode. The Selec-Terrain buttons provide three selectable mode positions:

1. 4WD LOW
2. REAR LOCK (If Equipped)
3. NEUTRAL

When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOW range position can be used to provide an additional gear reduction, which allows for increased torque to be delivered to both the front and rear wheels. 4WD LOW is intended for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in 4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine speed is approximately three times that of the normal driving mode at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine, and do not exceed 50 mph
(80 km/h). Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and cause damage to the driveline components. Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.

SHIFT POSITIONS
For additional information on the appropriate use of each 4WD system mode position, see the information below:

NEUTRAL
This range disengages the driveline from the powertrain. It is to be used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this chapter for further information.

WARNING
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

4WD LOW
This range is for low speed four-wheel drive. It provides an additional gear reduction which allows for increased torque to be delivered to both the front and rear wheels while providing maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

NOTE:
Refer to “Selec-Terrain — If Equipped” for further information on the various positions and their intended usages.

SHIFTING PROCEDURES

Shifting Into 4X4 LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the ignition in the ON mode and the engine running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and push the “4WD LOW” button once. The “4WD LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster will begin to flash and remain on solid when the shift is complete.

NOTE:
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a message will flash from the instrument cluster display with instructions on how to complete the requested shift.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

Shifting Out Of 4X4 LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the ignition in the ON mode and the engine running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and push the “4WD LOW” button once. The “4WD LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash and go out when the shift is complete.

NOTE:

1. If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a message will flash from the instrument cluster display with instructions on how to complete the requested shift. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
2. Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is possible with the vehicle completely stopped; however, difficulty may occur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h). If the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h), the 4WD system will not allow the shift.

NEUTRAL Shift Procedure
For the neutral shift procedure refer to “Recreational Towing” in this chapter for further information.

WARNING
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the vehicle unattended with the power transfer unit in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground and shift the transmission to PARK.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN mode, but do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed power transfer unit NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the NEUTRAL (N) symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is complete.
   
7. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N) light stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
8. Start the engine.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
11. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
12. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
13. Apply the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the key kob.

Repeat steps 1-7 to shift out of NEUTRAL.

FAQ’s