2005 JEEP WRANGLER brake fluid

20. Anti-Lock (ABS) Warning Light
After ignition is turned on, illuminates to indicate
function check at vehicle start-up. If light remains
on after start-up or comes on and stays on at road speeds,
it may indicate that the ABS has detected a malfunction
or has become inoperative. The system reverts to stan-
dard non-anti-lock brakes.
If both the red BRAKE warning light and the amber ABS
warning light are on, see your dealer immediately. Refer
to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this manual.
21. Brake Warning Light
After ignition is turned on, illuminates to indicate
function check at vehicle start-up. Indicates park-
ing brake is applied. If the light stays on when the
parking brake is off, it indicates a possible brake system
fluid leak or low pressure level,see your authorized
dealer immediately.If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is in
motion, the red BRAKE warning light will “flash” and a
chime will sound.
The operation of the BRAKE warning light can be
checked by turning the ignition switch from the OFF
position to the ON position. The light should illuminate
for approximately two seconds. The light should then
turn off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake
fault is detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
22. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 2 U.S.
Gallons (7.6L) this light will come on and remain on
until fuel is added. The “Low Fuel Warning Light”
may turn on and off again, especially during and after
hard braking, accelerations, or turns. This occurs due to
the shifting of the fuel in the tank.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 147
4

WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
•Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, transmission damage may result.
•Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
•Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
•Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
•When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
•Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
•During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than 20 inches,
and reduce speed appropriately to minimize wave ef-
fects. Maximum speed in 20 inches of water is less than 5
mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine oil, transmission oil, axle,
transfer case) to assure the fluids have not been contami-
nated. Contaminated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance)
should be flushed/changed as soon as possible to pre-
vent component damage.
Driving In Snow, Mud and Sand
In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional
control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low
gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low) if necessary.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in this section.Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, be-
cause engine braking may cause skidding and loss of
control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use
first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing
the compression braking of the engine to help regulate
204 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

NOTE:Refer to “Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in Section 7 for axle differential lubrica-
tion specifications for towing.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neu-
tral) for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or de-
press clutch pedal on manual transmission.
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
4. Start engine.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from battery
vent holes. Always wear eye protection when work-
ing with batteries. Do not use a booster battery or
any other booster source that has a greater than
12–volt system, i.e. do not use a 24–volt power
source.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 12–volt battery. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery, with jumper
cables, to start the vehicle’s engine because it’s battery is
discharged, the following procedure should be followed:Set the parking brake, place an automatic transmission in
P (Park) (or N (Neutral) for a manual transmission). Turn
off lights, heater, and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator in the battery. If indicator is light or
yellow, replace the battery.
CAUTION!
Use the “Jump Starting” procedure only when the
charge indicator is dark in the center. Do not attempt
jump starting when the battery charge indicator is
bright or yellow. If the charge indicator is dark and
has a green dot in the center, failure to start is not
due to a discharged battery and the cranking system
should be checked.
242 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............262
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............263
▫Driveline And Steering Component
Lubrication..........................264
▫Body Lubrication.....................264
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................265
▫Windshield Washers...................265
▫Exhaust System......................266
▫Cooling System.......................266
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......271
▫Brake System........................272
▫Automatic Transmission................274
▫Hydraulic Clutch Fluid — Manual
Transmission........................276▫Manual Transmission..................276
▫Transfer Case........................277
▫Front/Rear Axle Fluid..................278
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................279

Fuse Panel...........................286
▫Interior Fuses........................286
▫Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............288

Vehicle Storage........................290

Replacement Bulbs — If Equipped...........290

Bulb Replacement......................291
▫Head Light..........................291
▫Front Park/Turn Signal.................292
246 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