2009 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

6. Press the shifter release button and shift into NEU-
TRAL.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer if the shift lock manual override has been used.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE (or from P or
R to D) should be done only after the accelerator pedal is
released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your
foot on the brake when moving the shift lever between
these gears.
Shift Lever
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Gear Ranges
NOTE:Under extreme cold temperatures (-10°F (-23°C)
and when in DRIVE, transmission operation may be
briefly limited to only second gear operation. Normal
operation will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, then place the shift
lever in the PARK position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
the idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Use only
after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
This range is used when vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with engine running. Engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
NOTE:Towing, coasting, or driving the vehicle for any
other reason with the shift lever in NEUTRAL can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in Section 5 and “Towing a Disabled Vehicle” in
Section 6 of this manual. OVERDRIVE
This range is used for most city and highway driving.
The transmission contains an electronically-controlled
fourth gear Overdrive, and will automatically shift from
DRIVE to OVERDRIVE if the following conditions are
present:
•The shift lever is in DRIVE.
•The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
•Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h).
When frequent transmission shifting occurs while using
Overdrive, such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy load conditions (for example, in hilly terrain,
strong head winds, or trailer towing), turning off over-
drive will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.5
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If the transmission overheats, a “HOTOIL” message will
be displayed in the odometer and a chime will sound.
Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
switch located on the center console. The “O/D OFF
Indicator Light” (on the switch) will illuminate to show
that the switch has been activated. When the indicatorlight is on, Overdrive is locked out. Pressing the switch a
second time restores the Overdrive function. The lockout
feature is useful when towing a trailer or carrying a
heavy load.
2 (Second)
This range is used for moderate grades and to assist
braking on dry pavement or in mud and snow. The
vehicle begins from a stop in low gear with automatic
upshift to second gear. The vehicle will not shift into
third gear.
1 (First)
This range is used for hard pulling at low speeds in mud,
sand, snow, or on steep grades. The vehicle begins and
stays in low gear with no upshift. This gear provides
engine compression braking at low speeds.
Overdrive Off Switch
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CAUTION!
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must turn the ignition from LOCK so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise,
damage to the steering column or shift lever could
result.
•Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These prac-
tices can overheat and damage the transmission.
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION (COMMAND-
TRAC IOR ROCK-TRAC) — IF EQUIPPED
Operating Instructions/Precautions
The transfer case provides four mode positions:
•2H (Two-wheel drive high range)
•4H (Four-wheel drive high range)
•N (Neutral)
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•4L (Four-wheel drive low range)
The transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as hard-surfaced roads. In the event that additional traction is required, the
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. 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.
Four-Wheel Drive Shift Controls
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.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
on hard-surfaced roads.
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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.
N (Neutral) Position
This range disengages the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain. It is to be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Sec-
tion 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 samespeed. 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.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING