164 STARTING AND OPERATING
N (Neutral)
Neutral — This range disengages both the front
an
d rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be
used for flat towing behind another vehicle
Ú page 212.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range
pr
ovides low speed four-wheel drive. It
maximizes torque to the front driveshaft, forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range provides additional traction
and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25
mph
(4
0 km/h).
This transfer case is designed to be driven in
th
e two-wheel drive position (2WD) or
four-wheel drive position (4WD AUTO) for
normal street and highway conditions on dry
hard surfaced roads. Driving the vehicle in 2WD
will have greater fuel economy benefits as the
front axle is not engaged in 2WD.
For variable driving conditions, the 4WD AUTO
mo
de can be used. In this mode, the front axle
is engaged, but the vehicle's power is sent to
the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses
a loss of traction. Because the front axle is
engaged, this mode will result in lower fuel
economy than the 2WD mode.
In the event that additional traction is required,
th
e transfer case 4H and 4L positions can be
used to lock the front and rear driveshafts
together, forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. The 4H and 4L
positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only and not intended for normal
driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on
hard-surfaced roads will cause increased tire
wear and damage to the driveline components.
Refer to “Shifting Procedures” in this section for
further information on shifting into 4H or 4L.
The instrument cluster alerts the driver that the
ve
hicle is in four-wheel drive, and the front and
rear driveshafts are locked together. The light
will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4H position.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine
sp
eed will be approximately three times (four
times for Rubicon models) that of the 2H or 4H
positions at a given road speed. Take care not
to overspeed the engine.
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles
de
pends on tires of equal size, type, and
circumference on each wheel. Any difference
will adversely affect shifting and cause damage
to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved
tr
action, there is a tendency to exceed safe
turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster
than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the (N) Neutral position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer
case (N) Neutral position disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the power
-
train, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
t
h
e automatic transmission is in PARK (or
manual transmission is in gear). The parking
brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
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