Jeep's 2011 Grand Cherokee is among a growing number of vehicles to use four-wheel-drive systems with terrain-specific settings. Land Rover has had it. Ford's 2011 Explorer later this year is to have it.Turn the knob to match the challenge. The vehicle's brain box is supposed to alter settings of the traction control, stability control, transmission, throttle control and the like so you have a better chance of getting through.
Trigger the hill-descent feature, too, and you reduce the downhill
Selec-Terrain knob lets you tailor the four-wheel-drive system to the terrain you face. Or, set it to pucker factor dramatically. Every hill looks steeper from behind the wheel, so a confidence-inspiring speed limiter is welcome. In our tests, the Grand Cherokee's worked better than any downhill control in memory. A full report on the new Jeep is in this week's Test Drive column.
Grand Cherokee, $31,000 and up, is just now rolling into dealers and will be widely available within weeks. The Jeep links what it calls Selec-Terrain to other features to fine-tune your slogging. If you get the optional Quadra-Lift air suspension (two buttons to the right of the terrain knob shown in the photo here), you can add 2.6 inches more ground clearance (for 10.7 in. total), subtract 1.5 in. when parking to make it easier to get in and out, or pick an in-between adjustment.
Stop by Planet Dodge and see the 2010 Grand Cherokee
Original Article found here
