2005 JEEP WRANGLER brakes

your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle
speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding
the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway byturning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L (Low) range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
5

After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
•Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake rotors, wheels,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may
cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You
might not have full braking power when you need it
to prevent an accident. If you have been operating
your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes
checked and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are mandatory
for motoring safety.
Follow the maintenance intervals in schedule “B” for
changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation.
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

are present. Components should be replaced immedi-
ately if there is any evidence of degradation that could
cause failure.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the appropriate “Maintenance Schedule” in
Section 8 for suggested service intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses for evidence of heat and me-
chanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber, cracking, tears,
cuts, abrasion, and excessive swelling suggest deteriora-
tion of the rubber. Particular attention should be made to
examining those hose surfaces nearest to high heat
sources, such as the exhaust manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done when-
ever the brake system is serviced and every engine oil
change.
272 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the BRAKE warning light shows system failure
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. Brake fluid level
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 273
7

CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check — 42RLE
This fluid level should be checked when the engine is
fully warmed up and the fluid in the transmission is
heated to its normal operating temperature. Operation of
the transmission with an improper fluid level will greatly
reduce the life of the transmission and of the fluid.To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Apply the brakes and shift the transmission momen-
tarily into each gear position ending in P (Park).
5. The fluidMUSTbe checked with the transmission in
P (Park) to be sure that the fluid level is accurate.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
At normal operating temperature (approximately 180° F
(82° C), the fluid level is correct if it is in the HOT region
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 275
7

About Your Brakes....................... 198
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............147,200
Add-A-Trunk........................... 72
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 138
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 260
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 262
Air Conditioning........................ 171
Air Conditioning Controls................. 172
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 174
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 263
Air Filter.............................. 260
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 216
Airbag................................ 27
Airbag Deployment....................... 31
Airbag Light.........................33,145
Airbag Maintenance....................... 33
Alignment and Balance................... 220
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 9
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 167Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 295
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............. 200
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 147
Appearance Care........................ 279
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 50
Automatic Transmission................184,274
Adding Fluid......................... 276
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 274
Fluid Level Check...................... 275
Fluid Type........................... 274
Gear Ranges.......................... 185
Shifting............................. 184
Special Additives...................... 276
Torque Converter...................... 190
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet.................. 69
Auxiliary Power Outlet.................... 69
Battery............................... 261
Emergency Starting..................... 242
332 INDEX

Voltmeter............................ 143
Belts, Drive............................ 257
Belts, Seat.............................. 20
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 264
B-Pillar Location........................ 211
Brake System........................... 272
Anti-Lock........................... 200
Hoses.............................. 272
Master Cylinder....................... 273
Parking............................. 196
Warning Light........................ 147
Brakes............................... 198
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 185
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 44
Bulb Replacement.....................290,291
Calibration, Compass...................... 52
Capacities, Fluid........................ 295Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 226
Power Steering........................ 263
Car Washes............................ 280
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 225
Carpeting............................. 283
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 167
Catalytic Converter...................... 258
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 44
CD Changer........................... 154
CD Player....................150,152,156,159
CD Player Maintenance................... 168
Cellular Phone.......................... 169
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 294
Chains, Tire............................ 221
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 238
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 208
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)...........145,251
INDEX 333
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