On a Grand Cherokee WK2 fitted with Quadra-Lift air suspension, enable Tire/Jack Mode before you jack it up. This does not raise and lock the car — it disables the automatic load-levelling so the air struts don't fight the jack. On early WK2 cars (around 2011–2013) with the console suspension buttons, press and hold the ride-height UP and DOWN buttons together for about five to ten seconds until the EVIC confirms levelling is disabled. On later cars with the 8.4-inch touchscreen, turn it on via the suspension settings menu. Not all WK2s have air suspension — cars with normal steel springs need no special mode.
Overview
Quadra-Lift keeps the Grand Cherokee at a set ride height using an onboard compressor and air struts that level the car continuously. If you jack a corner without disabling that, the system can try to re-level and push against the jack. Tire/Jack Mode simply switches the auto-levelling off while you work; you jack the car at whatever height it is sitting. It is only relevant to WK2s that actually have the air suspension option.
Applies to
2011–2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 with the Quadra-Lift air suspension option. Selection differs between early console-button cars and later 8.4-inch touchscreen cars; the 'Tire Jack Mode' menu label is reliable, but the exact touchscreen path varies by model year and Uconnect version.
What you’ll need
- No tools required to set the mode — just a proper jack and axle stands to lift the car
Step-by-step
- Confirm the car has Quadra-Lift — Only WK2s with the air suspension option have this mode. Cars on conventional steel springs do not self-level, so no special mode is needed to jack them.
- Park safely and switch the ignition on — Park on level ground with the transmission in P and the ignition on. Enable Jack/Tire Mode before lifting the car.
- Early WK2 (console buttons): hold UP and DOWN together — Press and hold both the ride-height UP and DOWN suspension buttons at the same time for about five to ten seconds, until the driver display confirms levelling is disabled.
- Later WK2 (8.4-inch touchscreen): use the menu — Open the vehicle/suspension settings on the touchscreen and switch on 'Tire Jack Mode' (Vehicle → Settings → Suspension → Tire Jack Mode; exact wording varies by Uconnect version).
- Jack the car, then exit the mode — With levelling disabled, jack and support the car as normal. To exit: on early cars just drive off above about five mph and levelling restores; on later cars toggle Tire Jack Mode off (it also clears when you drive away).
Important
- Enable Tire/Jack Mode BEFORE lifting the car — otherwise the compressor may try to self-level against the jack.
- This mode does not gain you clearance and does not lock a raised height; raising to an off-road height is not a substitute — only Tire/Jack Mode stops the levelling.
- The suspension may briefly self-adjust shortly after switching the engine off — that is normal. Always use proper axle stands, never rely on the jack alone.
- 'Wheel Change' is the newer WL (2022+) menu wording, not the WK2 — on the WK2 look for 'Tire Jack Mode'.
FAQ
Does Jack Mode raise the Jeep for a wheel change?
No. Tire/Jack Mode only disables the automatic load-levelling so the air struts don't self-level while a wheel is off. You jack the car at whatever height it is already sitting.
How do I enable Tire Jack Mode on my Grand Cherokee?
On early WK2 cars with the console suspension buttons, hold the UP and DOWN buttons together for about five to ten seconds until the display confirms. On later cars with the 8.4-inch screen, switch on 'Tire Jack Mode' in the suspension settings menu.
My Grand Cherokee has no suspension buttons — do I need this?
Only if it has Quadra-Lift air suspension. Cars on steel springs do not self-level, so you can jack them normally without any special mode.
How do I turn Jack Mode off again?
On early cars, just drive off above about five mph and the levelling restores automatically. On later cars, toggle Tire Jack Mode off in the menu; it also clears once you drive away.