2008 JEEP WRANGLER 4WD

rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accom-
plished by simply moving the shift lever to one of these
positions. 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.
The 4WD Indicator Light (located in the instrument
cluster) alerts the driver that the vehicle 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.
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift when only the front or
rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer, and the front and rear
driveshaft speeds must be equal for a shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are spinning
can cause damage to the transfer case. When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed 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 depends
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 traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
You or others could be injured 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 driveshaft from
the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H Position
This range is used for normal street and highway driving.
Hard surfaced roads.
4H Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4H) provides additional traction for
loose, slippery road surfaces and should not be used on
wet or dry pavement.
The 4WD Indicator Light (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4H position.
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5

N (Neutral) Position
This range disengages the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another
vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Section 5 of
this manual.
4L Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4L) provides additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
The 4WD Indicator Light (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4L position.
Shifting Procedure
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion,
shifts can be made up to 50 mph (80 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Vehicle speed should be 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
To activate the system, press the bottom of the AXLE
LOCK switch once to lock the rear axle only (the Rear
Axle Lock Indicator Light will illuminate), press the
bottom of the switch again to lock the front axle (the
Front Axle Lock Indicator Light will illuminate). When
the rear axle is locked, pressing the switch again will lock
or unlock the front axle.
NOTE: The indicator lights will flash until the axles are
fully locked or unlocked.
To unlock the axles, press the top of the AXLE LOCK
switch.
Axle lock will disengage if the vehicle is taken out of 4L
(Low) range, or the ignition switch is turned to the OFF
position.REAR AXLE LOCK — 4WD NON-RUBICON
MODELS (IF EQUIPPED)
The REAR AXLE LOCK switch is located on the lower
switch bank (below the climate controls).
This feature will only activate when the following con-
ditions are met:
•Key in ignition, vehicle in 4L (Low) range.
•Vehicle speed should be 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
To activate the system, press the REAR AXLE LOCK
switch down to lock the rear axle (the Rear Axle Lock
Indicator Light will illuminate), press the switch up to
unlock the rear axle.
NOTE: The indicator lights will flash until the axle is
fully locked or unlocked.
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5

Engine/
Transmission Axle Model GCWR (Gross
Combined Wt.Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross TrailerWt.) Max. Trailer
Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 2–Door X Model (4WD)4,987 lbs
(2 262 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 2–Door X Model (4WD)5,987 lbs
(2 716 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 2–Door X
Model (4WD) 6,032 lbs
(2 736 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 2–Door Sahara Model (4WD)5,163 lbs
(2 342 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 2–Door Sahara Model (4WD)6,163 lbs
(2 795 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 2–Door Sahara
Model (4WD) 6,163 lbs
(2 795 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.8L/Manual 4.10 2–Door Rubi- con Model(4WD) 6,236 lbs
(2 829 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
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5

3.8L/
Automatic 4.10 2–Door Rubi-
con Model(4WD) 6,281 lbs
(2 849 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs
(91 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 4–Door X Model (2WD)5,121 lbs
(2 323 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 1,000 lb
s (453 kg) 100 lbs
(45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 4–Door X Model (2WD)7,621 lbs
(3 457 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 4–Door X
Model (2WD) 7,647 lbs
(3 469 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 4–Door Sahara Model (2WD)5,277 lbs
(2 394 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) 100 lbs
(45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 4–Door Sahara Model (2WD)7,777 lbs
(3 527 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 4–Door Sahara
Model (2WD) 7,803 lbs
(3 539 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 4–Door X Model (4WD)5,325 lbs
(2 415 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) 100 lbs
(45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 4–Door X Model (4WD)7,825 lbs
(3 549 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 4–Door X
Model (4WD) 7,825 lbs
(3 549 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.21 4–Door Sahara Model (4WD)5,481 lbs
(2 486 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) 100 lbs
(45 kg)
3.8L/Manual 3.73 4–Door Sahara Model (4WD)7,981 lbs
(3 620 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 3.73 4–Door Sahara
Model (4WD) 8,027 lbs
(3 641 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/Manual 4.10 4–Door Rubi- con Model(4WD) 8,059 lbs
(3 655 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
3.8L/
Automatic 4.10 4–Door Rubi-
con Model(4WD) 8,104 lbs
(3 676 kg) 32 sq ft
(2.97 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(159 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to the “Tire
Safety Information” section in this manual.
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5

Towing – 4WD Models
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 recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or de-
press clutch pedal on manual transmission.
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral). 4. Start engine.
5. Shift automatic transmission into DRIVE or manual
transmission into gear.
6. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
7. Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the
ACC position.
8. Shift automatic transmission into PARK.
9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11. Release parking brake.
12. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING