Jeep Cherokee 1996 User manual

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OLDINCANADA
11"11 1 l lo , ny v hides sold in Canada, the name
IP1 'n1 I 1, lion shall be deemed to be deleted and the
l '111 I•r ·, nada Ltd. used in substitution ther for.
ANDALCOHOL
I,, ·Ing ,ftl'I' drinking is one of the most frequent cau of
It I ioll't1I
1111 .l,1v "I', ,,bility can be seriously impaired with bl d
111,lt•I II• 1+, f;ir below the legal minimum. If you ar
lt111 11g d1111'ldri e. Ride with a designated nondrinking
ItI 1 1 di , 1,,h,, fri nd, or use public transport, tion.
n ad to an
y refl s r,, nd
t.•n ou tu rink-
' (•
-
~
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
Jeep is a founding member of Tread Lightly, lnc., ,
non-profit educational corporation dedicated to pw
moting increased public awareness of land-use regul.1
tions and responsible use of our nation's wild lands
For more information, call 1-800-966-9900or write l
Tread Lightly!
P.O. Box 149
Ogden, Utah 84402-0149
opyrighl © 1995 hrysler Corporation
' .
ONTENTS
.n lmpo~tant Messagt
orporation .. __ .. __
Introduction ...... .
Ilow To Use This Man

INTRODUCTION
<>NTENTS
t,, , ,11lmportant Message To You From Chrysler
( urporat10n .............................. 4 ■ Warnings And 'nut ions .......... , . , . , ...... 6
■ Vehicle ldentific.ilion Nu,nlwr, , . , ... , ........ 6
l11lroduction ....................... . 5
Ilow To Use This Manual ................... 5
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IIHIIIIIHII II IN
AN MESSAGE TO YOU FROM
CORPORATION
Ilt.i1il \ rn1 lor sl'I •·ting a Jeep Cherokee and welcome to
11111
\\'tll ldwklc fcmily.
, I I ilL·,•I !riv Jeep is a specialized utility vehicle
ii,• ,lf,111'
I for both on-road and off-road use. It c,111go
111.111•,111d
p 'rform tasks for which conventional 2-whccl
111
I\ 1• vt•hi lcs were not intended. However, on-
1'111•1111•111riJc and handling will have a different fel'i
1111111
1 Ii.it driv •rs experience with other vehicles, so lake
111111•t11
Iii•·om• familiar with your vehicle.
IIi, • wlwl'I driv utility vehicle was designed for
1111 11i.11I 1 1• 0111 . II i not intended for off-road driving
111 11 , 11otht•I' s 'V re conditions suited to a 4-wh I
,I I I 1•hI 11•
Iii, I, li.i .i i11plwrground clearancl', high •r 'l'l1tL'r
111 111d II.II Ill VI' 1,.1·k th.in 111a11
1 I ,1-.!->L'llgL'I''clrS.
'11tl,I,•111I1,•11111111111glwtl •r in ,1 wid,• v,1rid of
off-road applications. Driven in an unsafe manner, aJJ
vehicles can be caused to go out of control. Because of tlw
higher center of gravity and the narrower track, if this
vehicle is out of control it may roll over when some other
vehicles may not. Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers or other w1safe driving actions that can causl'
loss of vehicle control. Failure to operate this vehicll'
safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicl1·
and severe or fatal injury. Drive carefully.
Failure to use driver and passenger seat belts providl'd
as standard equipment on nearly all vehicles is a maj111
cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the U.S. govern
ment notes that the universal use of existing seat bl'II~
could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more 1•,11II
year, and could reduce disabling injuries by 2 111ill11111
annually. Always buckle up.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read this manu,11 11,
sure you arc familiar with all vehicle controls, p.irt1111
larly those used for br,
hifting. Learn how ye
road surfaces. Your di
•xperience. When driv1
hide, don't overload it<
of nature. Always obsei
lo al laws wherever yo1
s with other vehicles o
, •hicle correctly may
,11' 'ident. Be sure to re
driving guidelines in th
INTRODUCTION
Il1is manual has been
1•1vi and engineering
1111•npcration and main!
1q11)l 'mented by a Wa
11,ou customer orient

-
,111
ti l'
1lw,
lwt
upl
li "l'
it It·
fl 11'
,t11u
't II
11•1I
•.i, It
It1111
I I,
h II
l,11I tho e used for braking, steering and transmission
,hilling. Learn how your vchi 1, handles on different
111,1
I surfaces. Your driving skills will improve with
1• I •rience. When driving off-ro,id or working the ve-
I111I•, don't overload it or expect it lo over--ome the laws
,ii 11.1turc.Alwnys observe (l'lkral, sl.ilc, provincial and
l,11,11laws wherever you drive.
1 ilh other vehi les of this type, (,1ilurL' lo operate thi~
,"1trl' orre tly may result in lo:-.:-.of ontrol or an
,,, 1I 'nt. Be sure to read On-Pa cm •nl and Off-Road
,1111111gguideli.ncs in thi, manual.
INIRODUCTION
1111•,manual has been prepctrcd with tlw .issisl,111e of
, 111 • and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
tit,• op •ration and maintenance of your new vehicle. ll is
111
1111•mcnted by a Warranty Information Boof,.lct and
11111u-,ustomer orientl'd documents. You Mc urged to
INTRODUCTION 5
re.id thL'',l' publication, carefully. Following the instruc-
tions ,ind rL•conrnwndations in this manual will help D
assure sak ,rnd L'njo ,ible operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: /\ltl't ynu ll'<lll tlw m,11H1,1I,it ~hould be stored
in the l'l'hil le 101 llll\ Vlltl'lll 1 •lvn•nr • ,ind r 'rnc1in with
the \'ehicll' 1\ lw11 old
When it COllll'" In -.1•1111v, 11•1ttt•111i>t·1I'1,tl our hr sl >r
Corporation d1•,1h•1I I1t1\\ \ 11111 1t•lt11It• 11t'-.t,h,is the
factory-trained lt't 111111t,111 ,111d);1•11111111•Mop,1r" parts
and is inlerL•stvd 111\t1t11 .tit l,11I11111
HOW TO USE THI MANUAL
Consult tlw t,1bl1·ul 11u1t1•1thlt1 tlt'll'rmirw whid1 s ction
cont,1ins the into, 111,111011\ t>ll dt•..,ir•.
The detailed indl'x, ,1I llw I1-.1rol lhis manu,1I, -ontains a
complete listing ul ,111 ubw 'h.

IN 111(IIU fl N
WAI NIN AND CAUTIONS
1111 111111111,ilt·nnl.1ins WARNINGS against oper.:iting
1•11111•111111"
1, Iii "h could result in an .:iccident or bodily
111j111\ II ,1IL,o rontains CAUTIONS against proccdurl'S
1 Ith I, 111111dl'l'Sult in damage to your vehicle. If you do
111
,I 11·i1I this 'nlire manual you may miss imporl,rnt
l1i1111111,tlirn1.Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VI 111LE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
. I Iii• , 1•hi"le identification number (VIN) is found on a
I 111q11•dplnte locatE:d on the left front conwr ol ti '
I I It 1111u•n1I ,rnl'I pnd, visible from outside of lhl' v 'hicl'
111111111-.11llw windshi ,1ct.This number also appc.ir.., on thl'
11l11ttll1hill
1 l1lf1>1'111,1tionDisclosure Label ,1(fi:--vd tu ,1
111d11w1111
1H11 vvhi 1,. Save this label for ,l L'Oll\'l'l1il'nt
nil 111 Pitt , 1·hi"I' identification numbn ,111d op-
IIi Ill ti I I jlllj lltll'III
- - --
NOTE: lt is illegal to remove the VJN plate.
& -
THINGS T
ONTENTS
A Word About Your
Ignition And Steerini
u Key-ln-lgnition Rei
I) ior, Liftga te And G
I lOr Locks ...... .
1I hild Protection Le
1I Power Door Locks
>t"upant Restraints.
I '·nt Belt Warning l

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
<')NTENTS fl
1\ Word About Your Keys ................... 9
□ Unibelts ... , , ... , , ... , ... , , . . . . . . . . . . . 14
lg11itionAnd Steering Lock .................. 9
□ Rear Ccnll'F l,,11 Hvll ... , , .. , , , , .. , ...... 18
, 1 I Py-In-Ignition Reminder ................. 10
□ Seat Belts /\11 I 111'l'l',il•ll11 Wn1111•11... , . , .. , ... 19
I)llm, Liftgate And Glove Box Key ............ 10
□ Seat Belt Exl<•nd1°r, , , . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .... 19
Ili111r Locks .............................. 11
□ Child Restrc1inl. . . . , . . ................ 20
, l l1ild Protection Locks ................... 12
□ Driver Sup1 lvm 'I ltll l{t' lr.ii1il
l't1wer Door Locks ...................... 13 System - /\.irbag ... , , .. , , .............. 23
1h111pant Restraints ....................... 13
■ Engine Break-In Recomm •ndalions ........... 28
'11•,il Belt Warning Light .................. 14
■ Checking Your Vehick- For Safety ............. 29
□ Exhaust Gas ........................... 29

8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
□ Safety Checks You Should M,1k, Inside The
Vehicle ............................... , 0
□ Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle ............................... 30 A WORD ABOUT '{
The double sided ~
with either side up.
1•nlosed in a plastic
lh' front. The bar c
I 1• s from your dea
our keys without t
tl11•number. One k,
11•,11ilion,door and g
I< NITION AND STE
111lh • LOCK positio
1,,. lo k d to prov
,-indl'. lt may be dif
1•11• Ilion when starti
111•1•1I •(t and right
1 II Th , key an b
I I H position. 1us
111111!•,·to rot,,tC'to

() /\ WORDABOUT YOUR KEYS
1111•double sided keys mny be inserted into the locks
·Ith 'ither side up. The keys for your new vehicle are
, 111lwed in a plastic bng with iJbiJr code label affixed to
1111
1 front. The bar code ciJn b' us'd to order duplicate
I1} from your dealer or a locksmith. If you received
11111k ys without the bog, <1skyour denier to give you
1111•11Umber.One key is common to all vehicle locks;
1.-11linn, door and glove box.
II NI IONAND STEERINGLOCK
111ll1v LOCK position, the steering and ignition systems
111•
In'ked to provide anti-theft protection for your
1I
111fl'. [t may be difficult to turn the key from the LOCK
f 11
,IIUll) when starting your vehicle. Move the steering
111
1111j ,ft and right while turning the key until it turns
, ii . The key can be inserted or withdrawn only in the
I• 11f I osition. Push in on the key in the ignition lock
l1111l1•rto rotate to the LOCK position.
THINGS TO KNOWBEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 9
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission, the key annot be turned to LOCK until the
selector is in ti , PI\RK po·iLion. Do not attempt to pull !'I
the shift I'vl'r out off l\RK aft 'r th' key is in the LOCK (.11
position.
j[iffe~

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION!
Always remove the key from the ignition and lo
all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If the driver's door is opened when the key is in llw
ignition, a signal will sound to remind you to rcn o l' th'
key.
DOOR, LIFTGATE AND GLOVE BOX KEY
The same key us •d to start the vehicle is also UM' I lo
unlock the doors, liftgate and glove box. To unln·k
vehicle doors, liftgc t or glove box, insert thl' kl'Yinto lh'
lo k and turn.
lo k doors or liftgate, insert the key and turn. n '
unlo ked, thl' liftgat can be opened or cln~ d wilhl ut
using the kl-y. To pen the liftgate, prl'S!">in llw lo k
button to rclc<SL' th latch.
WARNING!
Driving with the liftgate open can allow poisonous
exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your pas-
sengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep the
liftgate closed when you are operating the vehicle.
To unlock glove box, in
lhe latch buttons on bo
OR LOCKS
IIdoors are equipped
l,11I, To lock a door wl·
1111•I, ) K position and

•
I'
1111111lockglove box, insert key and turn. To open, press
I
I11• l,1tch buttons on both sides of the lock. •
II tl1iors are equipped with zi rocker-type interior door
"I To lock a door when leaving your vehicle, press to
111I ( K position c1ndclose door.
W/\RNIN(.!
For personal sc urily r~•.1sons, nd safety in a colli-
sion, lock the vchi le doors when you drive as well
as when you park and I ave the vehicle.

12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Child Protection Locks
The rear doors of your vehicle are equipped with child
protection locks. With the lcv r on the open edge of the
door positioned low,1rd lh' outside of the vehicle, the
doors cannot be o~w,wd from the inside.
~;g
WARNING!
Avoid trapping anyone in the vehicle in a collision.
Remember that the rear doors can only be opened
from the outside when the child protection locks are
engaged.
Power Door Locks
1'ush down to lock, Uf
,ipcrates all doors, inclu
11 111 Iii• most imporl,11
Ir, 11• t1\1inlSV'-lt'm. Th

I
I ,,w r Door Locks
I 1111 lown to lock, up to unlock. The driver's panel
all doors, including the liftgate.
1 111lh •most important safety features in your vehicle
lllo 11•-.lraintsystem. This system includes the front and
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
rear seat belts. Your seat belts can also be used to hold
infant and child restraint systems if you will be carrying
children too sm,111for ndult-sizc belts.
Please pay c.irdul ,1llt·11li(n lo tlw information in this
section. [t tell-. you hllw lo llSl' our rcstrnint system
properly to kl'l'I 011 ,ind yo11r I ,1-.-.engcrs c1ss.1fc as
possible.
W RNINCI
In a collision you ,llld 0111 p,1 l'l1 >en,, c,rn suffer
much greater inju rit• ii 011 ,111• nol propt•,·I buck-
led up. You can stl'il 11 p.,tl of the insid • of the
vehicle or other p,11,s •11g •rs, or ou can be thrown out
of the vehicle. /\lw.1y1, b •1-111rl' ou and others in your
vehicle are buck! d up properly.
Fl

I I 11IIN< , I KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
11 1-, l' tr m ly dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
11 ldt· or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
1 ling in these areas are likely to be seriously
11 ured or killed.
I o nol· allow people to ride in any area of your
,•hi I that is not equipped with seats and seat bell .
lk sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat using a
1.-.,1b It properly.
1111,111•11peven though you are an excellent driver. 1;:ven
1111 ,llrn·t trips. Som •one else on the road m,1 , b •,1 I oor
ii, 1, 1•1,ind r,111s1• ,l collision which involves you. !\nd lhi
111
li.lJ'Jl•11l.11 11·0111home or on your own stn•t'I.
, 11,
I, h,1 l,mvn lfo:1tseat belts save liv,•s. /\nd they
1111,•il1111•1111•,1•111111s1wssof injuries in a collision. Some
1 I 11111 ·111I l11p1111•-.h,11p<'n wh n penpl<• .ire thrown
from the vehicle. Seat belts provide protection against
that, and they reduce the risk of injury caused by striking
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
needs to be buckled up all the time.
Seat Belt Warning Light
k A warning chime or buzzer and an indicator light
Ja,. will alert you to buckle the seat belts.
Unibelts
The outboard front and rear seats of your vehicle have
combination lap/shoulder belts, or unibelts. The retrac-
tor is designed to lock during very sudden stops or
impacts. This feature allows the shoulder part of the belt
to move freely with you under normal conditions. But in
a collision, the belt will lock and reduce the risk of your
striking the inside of the vehicle or being thrown out.
Unibelt Operating Instructions
l. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.
• The latch plate of the
"•at. Grasp the latch plat.
l,1lch plate up the webbi
lh belt go around your

aim,t
iking
hi 11·
light
I Ill
•li,•11
Ill Ill
11111
11I
' Ih latch plate of the belt is above the back of your
, 1I Crasp the latch plate and pull out the belt. Slide the
I tit h I late up the webbing as far as n' e sary to make
1111'h •ILgo around your lap.
I ,
I :
f
I .
I

16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNIN !
A belt buck! d into the wrong buckle will not
protect you prop •rly. Tlw lap portion could ride too
high on your bod , po sibly causing internal inju-
ries. Always bud It• our b It into the buckle nearest
you.
WARNING!
• A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well.
In a sudden stop you could move too far forward,
increasing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat
belt snugly.
• A shoulder belt worn under your arm is very
dangerous. Your body could fall into the inside
surfaces of the vehicle in a crash, increasing head
and neck injury. And a belt worn under the arm
can cause internal injuries. Ribs aren't as strong as
shoulder bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder
so that your strongest bones will take the force in
a collision.
4. Position the lap belt
,1bdomen. If you need tl
on the shoulder part.
sliding under the belt i
1r1
li

I
l'
ll
11
'I
II
I l'osition the lnp belt ,Kross your thighs, below your
1111111111'n. If you need the lap portion tighter, pull up a bit
1111 th• should 'r p<1rt. A snug belt rl'duc ·s the risk of
1111111µ,under the belt in il collision.
! l
I :.:?
I""
I
I
'
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
WARNING!
A lap bell worn too high can increase the risk of £1
internal injur in .1 ollision. Th belt forces won't g
be at the strong hip .ind 1wlvk ho11·s, but across your
abdomen. Alw,, "'w,•,ll llw l,1p p,irl o our seal belt
as low a!> po.,.,ihh•, .,11dk1•1•pii '<llug.
5. Position th• sh111ild,•1Ii It 1111,11111, lw I , 1 th,1t it i·
comfortable .ind 1101 11• 11111•,1111 ) 11111 ,w,
~ I ht• 11•lr,1·tor
will withdr,1w ,111\ l.11 I 111 lh, lwll.
W llNIN ;!
A twisted bell r,rn'l do ii-; job ,,swell. In ,1 C<Iii ion
it could even ·ut into ou. B sure your belt is
straight. lf you .111'lslr,,ighl n belt in your vehicle,
take it to your d aler .1nd have it fixed.

18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
6. To release the belt, push lh<cbutton on the buckle. Thl'
belt will automcili ally rl'lracl lo its stowed position.
If necessary, slick' lhc lal ·h pl.1te down the webbing lo
allow the belt lo rL'lr,1clr11ll.
WARNING!
A frayed or lorn twit ould rip apart in a collision
. and leave you wilh no protection. Inspect your b Its
periodically, clwd ing for cuts, frays, and loos parts.
Damaged part-. mllHI be replaced immediately. o
not disassemhl1· or modify the system. Sc, t b •It
assemblies mu I he r placed immediately aft 'r , 11
accident if tlw h,1 been damaged (bent r lr, tor,
lorn webbini•, I'll'.).
Rear Center Lap Belt
The rear center seating position has a lap belt only.
To fasten a lap belt, slip the latch plate into the buckle.
To lengthen the lap belt, tilt the latch plate and pull. To
shorten the belt, pu 11the loose end of the webbing.
W ar the lap belt snug against the hips. Sit back and erect
u,the seat, then adjust the belt as tightly as is comfort-
able.
W1
• A lap belt worn too I
A belt worn too lom
and under the belt ii
high will apply eras
lo the stronger hip b1
internal injuries is g1
Ml1Ug.
lll'lting two people 1
gn•, ler injury. Peop
tllo one another in
t1lhl'f' badly. Never l
p1•1 on, no matter wl

111
•t I
I I
WARNING!
lap belt worn too loose or too high is dangerous.
belt worn too loose can allow you to slip down
,111d under the belt in a collision. A belt that is too
high will apply crash forces to the abdomen, not
lo the stronger hip bones. In either case, the risk of
nl rnal injuries is greater. Wear a lap belt low and
IHI .
lli•lting two people into one seat belt can lead to
l',•l', ler injury. People belted together can crash
1110 one another in an accident, hurting one an-
nlhl'r badly. Never use a belt for more than one
111•rson,no matter what their size.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
Seat Belts And Pregnant Women
We recornml'nd that pregnant women use seat belts
throughout their J r'gll,717 ics. KL'cping the mother safe is n
the best w.iy lo 1-.n•pLIl' h,1b s,1f•. ~
Pregnant wnnwn :-ho1tld W(',11 llw l,111part of the belt
across the thigh.., .111d,11-,..,,111g,1gi1i111,Illw hips ,1spossible.
Keep the bell lo,,, ..,o Iii.ii 11dPt' 11111lIH1il' ,,cross the
c1bdomen. Th,1l w.i lih' 1111111•
1 li11111•1111111
1 hips will tnke
the force if thl'n' ,., " 111lli 11111
Seat Belt Extend r
[fa seat belt is IPO :-.l1111I, 1•11·111 Ii·11full v I 'tlll('d, your
dealer can prol'1d1• vu1I wIIl1 .i ,.,1•,1tbl'lt l1\l('t1dl'r. Thi
extender should lw 11:-,('d011I ii llw cxi!:>ling h •It is not
long enough. Wlw11 it j-, 111>1r 'lJ ,ired, rl'movc the ex-
tender and stow 1I.

20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNIN ,!
Using a seat belt extend r wh1•11not needed can
increase the risk of injury in ,1 t·ollision. Only use
when the lap belt is not long enou)-\hwhen it is worn
low and snug, and in the 1't't'Otll11W11dedseating
positions. Remove and stow wht·n 1101 nc ded.
Child Restraint
When we say that everyone in y<iur v11hl111
1 n • ds to be
buckled up all the time, we mc,in b,iliw, ,11id hildren,
too.
Every state in the United States and c1ll '.11,,Hli.1nprov-
inces require small children to ride in pn1111•rll'Slraint
:-,yst'ms. This is lh • law, and you cc1nbt 11111•,1•111ll'I for
ignoring it.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap
could become so great that you could not hold the
child, no matter how strong you are. The child and
others could be badly injured. Any child riding in
your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child's size.
Infants And Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the bigger child almn:-,1
large enough for an adult safety belt. Use the restrninl
that is correct for your child.
Two different child restraint systems are generally av.iii
able.
• The infant carrier for b
kg.)
l'he child seat for smal
l11,1ddition, some manufa
1',•11s d first as an infant c
, 11Id seat as the child gro
111•11•.ire some tips on get1
1, I1.iint:
• ll1•lorebuying any rest1
I1,1..,,1 label certifying th,
d,111 I, rd 213. We also n
1 1ldld restraint, you tr
l11•1·1•you will use it.
1111
1 rtstraint must be
•11•,hl,nd height. Che<
111,100.