2021 Jeep Cherokee Lights and Wipers

In the complicated dance of safety and visibility in a car, the lights and wipers of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee stand out as the unsung stars, lighting the way and getting rid of obstacles with great accuracy. These important parts are the perfect combination of practicality and foresight. They make sure that every trip is clear and safe with good vision. The Cherokee’s lights and wipers protect the driver from the uncertain weather. The headlights are bright enough to see in the dark, and the wipers move in a rhythmic way to get rid of rain and other debris. The fact that they work well with the surroundings and have easy-to-use features like automatic settings and adaptive technology shows how much the manufacturer wants to improve the driving experience. When the weather and road conditions change, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee’s lights and wipers are the epitome of safety, letting drivers drive with confidence and enjoy the unexpected challenges that every trip brings.

EXTERIOR LIGHTS

MULTIFUNCTION LEVER

• The multifunction lever controls the operation of the turn signals, headlight beam selection and passing lights. The multifunction lever is located on the left side of the steering column.

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

The headlight switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel. This switch controls the operation of the headlights, parking lights, automatic headlights (if equipped), instrument panel lights, and fog lights (if equipped).

1. Rotate Headlight Control
2. Push Fog Light Control
3. Ambient Light Dimmer Control
4. Instrument Panel Dimmer Control

1. Rotate Headlight Control
2. Push Fog Light Control
3. Ambient Light Dimmer Control
4. Instrument Panel Dimmer Control

NOTE

Vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with a headlight switch with an AUTO and ON detent but without an OFF detent. Headlights will be deactivated when the headlight switch is placed in the parking lights position. However, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) will be activated along with the front and rear marker lights. The DRLs may be deactivated when the parking brake is engaged. Rotate the headlight switch clockwise to the first detent for parking light and instrument panel light operation. Rotate the headlight switch to the second detent for headlight, parking light and instrument panel light operation.

NOTE: For vehicles sold in Canada, rotate the headlight switch clockwise from the parking light and instrument panel light position to the first detent to turn the headlight switch to the AUTO position. Rotate to the second detent to turn on headlight, parking light, and instrument panel light operation.

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRLS) — IF EQUIPPED

The Daytime Running Lights will turn on when the engine is started and remain on unless the headlamps are turned on, the parking brake is applied, or the ignition is placed in the OFF position.

NOTE

• For vehicles sold in Canada, the Daytime Running Lights will automatically deactivate when the front fog lights are turned on.
• On some vehicles, the Daytime Running Lights may deactivate, or reduce intensity, on one side of the vehicle (when a turn signal is activated on that side), or on both sides of the vehicle (when the hazard warning lights are activated).

HIGH/LOW BEAM SWITCH

After the low beam headlights are turned on, push the multifunction lever, located on the left side of the steering wheel, away from you to switch the headlights to high beam. Pulling the multifunction lever back will turn the low beams on.

AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP CONTROL

AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED

The Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control system provides increased forward lighting at night by automatically controlling the high beams through the use of a camera mounted on the windshield. This camera detects vehicle-specific light and automatically switches from high beams to low beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.

NOTE

• The multifunction lever must be in the high beam position and the low beams must be turned on in order to activate the Automatic High Beams.
• The Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control can be turned on or off using the Uconnect system.
• Broken, muddy, or obstructed headlights and taillights of vehicles in the field of view will cause headlights to remain on longer (closer to the vehicle). Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions on the windshield or camera lens will cause the system to function improperly.
• When set to AUTO, and the low beams are on and the multifunction lever is in the high beam position, the system automatically turns the high beams on or off based on light levels of the approaching vehicles.

FLASH-TO-PASS

You can signal another vehicle with your headlightsby lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward you. This will cause the high beam headlights to turn on, and remain on, until the lever is released.

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED

This system automatically turns the headlights on or off according to ambient light levels. To turn the system on, rotate the headlight switch to the AUTO position for automatic headlight operation. When the system is on, the headlight time delay feature is also on. This means the headlights will stay on for up to 90 seconds (depending on customer programmable time of 30, 60, or 90 seconds) after you place the ignition in the OFF position. To turnthe automatic system off, move the headlight switch out of the AUTO position.

NOTE

• The engine must be running before the headlights will come on in the automatic mode.

PARKING LIGHTS

Rotate the headlight switch clockwise to the first detent for parking light and instrument panel light operation. Rotate the headlight switch to thesecond detent for headlight, parking light and instrument panel light operation.

NOTE: Vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with a headlight switch with an AUTO and ON detent but without an OFF detent. Headlights will be deactivated when the headlight switch is placed in the parking lights position. However, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) will be activated along with the front and rear marker lights. The DRLs may be deactivated when the parking brake is engaged.

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WITH WIPERS — IF EQUIPPED

When this feature is programmed on and the headlight switch is set to AUTO, the headlights willturn on after the wipers are turned on. This feature will also turn the headlights off when the wipers are turned off.

NOTE: This feature can be turned on or off using the Uconnect system.

HEADLIGHT TIME DELAY

This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination for up to 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your vehicle in an unlit area. To activate the delay feature, place the ignition in the OFF position while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off the headlights within 45 seconds of placing the ignition in the OFF position. The delay interval begins when the headlight switch is turned off.

NOTE

• The headlight delay feature is automatically activated if the customer leaves the headlight switch in the AUTO position while the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
• If you turn the headlights or parking lights on, or place the ignition in ACC or RUN, the system will cancel the delay.
• If you turn the headlights off before the ignition,they will turn off in the normal manner.

NOTE

• The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds of placing the ignition in the OFF position to activate this feature.
• The headlight delay time is programmable using the Uconnect system.

LIGHTS-ON REMINDER

• If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition is placed in the OFF position, the vehicle will chime to alert the driver when the driver’s door is opened.

FOG LIGHTS

FOG LIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED

• The front fog light switch is built into the headlight switch.
• To activate the front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the low beam headlights and push the headlight switch. To turn off the front fog lights, either push the headlight switch a second time or turn off the headlight switch.
• An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the fog lights are turned on.

NOTE: The fog lights will operate with the low beam headlights or parking lights on. However, selecting the high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.

TURN SIGNALS

Lightly push the multifunction lever up or down to activate the turn signals. The arrows on each side of the instrument cluster display will flash to show proper operation.

NOTE

• If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a very fast flash rate, check for a defective LED turn signal. Please see an authorized dealer for service.
• A “Turn Signal On” message will appear in the instrument cluster display and a continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.

LANE CHANGE ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED

• Lightly push the multifunction lever up or down, without moving beyond the detent, and the turn signal will flash three times then automatically turn off.

BATTERY SAVER

• Timers are set to both the interior and exterior lights to protect the life of your vehicle’s battery.
• After 10 minutes, if the ignition is OFF and any door is left open or the dimmer control is rotated all the way up to the dome light on position, the interior lights will automatically turn off.

NOTE: Battery saver mode is canceled if the ignition is ON. If the headlights remain on while the ignition is placed in the OFF position, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after eight minutes. If the headlights are turned on and left on for eight minutes while the ignition is OFF, the exterior lights will automatically turn off.

INTERIOR LIGHTS

The interior lights come on when a door is opened. To protect the battery, the interior lights will turn off automatically 10 minutes after the ignition is placed in the OFF position. This will occur if the interior lights were switched on manually or are on because a door is open. The Battery Protection also includes the glove compartment light and the cargo light. To restore interior light operation after automatic battery protection is enabled (lights off), either place the ignition in the ON/RUN position or cycle the light switch.

INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHTS

Front Map/Reading Lights

The front map/reading lights are mounted in the overhead console. Each light can be turned on by pushing a switch on either side of the console. To turn the lights off, push the switch a second time. These lights also turn on when a door is opened, or when the unlock button on the key fob is pushed, or when the dimmer control is turned completely upward to the second detent.

Instrument Panel Dimmer Control

• The instrument panel dimmer control is part of the headlight switch and is located on the driver’s side of the instrument panel.
• With the parking lights or headlights on, rotating the instrument panel dimmer control upward will increase the brightness of the instrument panel lights and lighted cupholders (if equipped).
• Rotate the instrument panel dimmer control to the extreme bottom O (off) position, and the interior lights will remain off when the doors are open.
• Rotate the instrument panel dimmer control upward to the first detent, and this feature brightens all text displays such as the odometer, instrument cluster display, and radio when the position lights or headlights are on.

Dome Light Position

• Rotate the instrument panel dimmer control completely upward to the second detent to turn on the interior lights. The interior lights will remain on when the instrument panel dimmer control is in this position.

Ambient Light Control — If Equipped

• Rotate the ambient dimmer control upward or downward to increase or decrease the brightness of the ambient light located in the overhead console, door handle lights, and door map pocket lights.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS

• The windshield wiper/washer controls are located on the windshield wiper/washer lever on the right side of the steering column. The front wipers are operated by rotating a switch, located on the end of the lever.

WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION

• Rotate the end of the lever to one of the first four detent positions for intermittent settings, the fifth detent for low wiper operation and the sixth detent for high wiper operation.

CAUTION: Always remove any buildup of snow that prevents the windshield wiper blades from returning to the “park” position. If the windshield wiper switch is turned off, and the blades cannot return to the “park” position, damage to the wiper motor may occur.

NOTE: Do not operate the windshield wipers with the blades lifted from the windshield.

Intermittent Wipers

Use one of the four intermittent wiper settings when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle, with a variable delay between cycles, desirable. At driving speeds above 10 mph (16 km/h), the delay can be regulated from a maximum of approximately 18 seconds between cycles (first detent), to a cycle every one second (fourth detent). If the vehicle is moving less than 10 mph (16 km/h), delay times will be doubled.

Windshield Washers

• To use the washer, pull the lever rearward toward you and hold. If the lever is pulled while in the intermittent setting, the wipers will turn on and operate for several wipe cycles after the lever is released, and then resume the intermittent interval previously selected.
• If the lever is pulled while the wipers are in the off position, the wipers will operate for several wipe cycles, then turn off.

WARNING: Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield could lead to a collision. You might not see other vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of the windshield during freezing weather, warm the windshield with the defroster before and during windshield washer use.

Mist

• Push the lever upward to the MIST position and release for a single wiping cycle.

NOTE: The mist feature does not activate the washer pump; therefore, no washer fluid will be sprayed on the windshield. The washer function must be used in order to spray the windshield with washer fluid.

• For information on wiper care and replacement.

The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted with the multifunction lever. Wiper delay detent one is the least sensitive, and wiper delay position four is the most sensitive. Setting three is preferred by the average driver during normal rain conditions.

NOTE

• The Rain Sensing feature will not operate when the wiper switch is in the low or high-speed position.
• The Rain Sensing feature may not function properly when ice or dried salt water is present on the windshield.
• Use of products containing wax or silicone may reduce Rain Sensing performance.
• The Rain Sensing feature can be turned on and off using the Uconnect system.

The Rain Sensing system has protection features for the wiper blades and arms, and will not operate under the following conditions:

• Low Ambient Temperature: When the ignition is first placed in the ON position, the Rain Sensing system will not operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h) or the outside temperature is greater than 32°F (0°C).
• Transmission In NEUTRAL Position: When the ignition is ON, and the automatic transmission is in the NEUTRAL position, the Rain Sensing system will not operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h) or the gear selector is moved out of the NEUTRAL position.
• Remote Start Mode Inhibit: On vehicles equipped with the Remote Start system, rain-sensing wipers are not operational when the vehicle is in the Remote Start mode.

REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

• The rear wiper/washer controls are located on the windshield wiper/washer lever on the right side of the steering column. The rear wiper/washer is operated by rotating a switch, located at the middle of the lever.

Rotate the center portion of the lever upward to the first detent for intermittent operation and to the second detent for continuous rear wiper operation.
To use the washer, push the lever forward and hold while spray is desired. If the lever is pushed while in the intermittent setting, the wiper will turn on and operate for several wipe cycles after the end of the lever is released, and then resume the intermittent interval previously selected.

If the lever is pushed while the wiper is in the off position, the wiper will operate for several wipe cycles, and then turn off.

NOTE

• As a protective measure, the pump will stop if the switch is held for more than 20 seconds. Once the lever is released the pump will resume normal operation.
• If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is placed in the OFF position, the wiper will automatically return to the “park” position.

WINDSHIELD WIPER DE-ICER — IF EQUIPPED

Your vehicle may be equipped with a Windshield Wiper De-Icer feature that may be activated under the following conditions:

• Activation By Front Defrost — The Windshield Wiper De-Icer shall be activated automatically in the case of a cold weather manual start with full front defrost, and when the ambient temperature is below 33°F (0.6°C).
• Activation By Rear Defrost — The Windshield Wiper De-Icer shall be activated automatically when the rear defrost is turned on and when the ambient temperature is below 33°F (0.6°C).
• Activation By Remote Start Operation — When Remote Start is active and the outside ambient temperature is less than 33°F (0.6°C), the Windshield Wiper De-Icer will activate. Exiting Remote Start will resume its previous operation. If the Windshield Wiper De-Icer was active, the timer and operation will continue.

FAQ