2011 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

You should always use 1st gear when starting from a
standing position if under heavy load or when pulling a
trailer.
Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both
fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as
listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the
vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily
loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift
speeds may not apply.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
En-
gine Speeds 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
3.8L Accel. 15 (24) 24 (39)34
(55) 47
(76) 56
(90)
Cruise 10 (16) 19 (31)27
(43) 37
(60) 41
(66)
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is
recommended to preserve brakes when driving down
steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time
provides better acceleration when you desire to resume
speed. Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip, and the vehicle could skid.
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CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine
which can cause valve damage, and/or clutch disc
damage, even if the clutch pedal is pressed.
Maximum Recommended Downshift Speeds
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the maximum recommended down-
shifting speeds may cause the engine to overspeed
and/or damage the clutch disc, even if the clutch
pedal is pressed.
Manual Transmission Downshift Speeds in MPH(KM/H)
Gear
Selec-
tion 6to5 5to4 4to3 3to2 2to1
Maxi-
mum
Speed 80 (129) 70 (113) 50 (81) 30 (48) 15 (24)
Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE, bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. Press the clutch and pause briefly to allow the gear
train to stop rotating. Beginning from the NEUTRAL
position, move the shift lever in one quick, smooth
motion straight across and into the REVERSE area (the
driver will feel a firm “click” as the shifter passes the
“knock-over”). Complete the shift by pulling the shift
lever into REVERSE.
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The “knock-over” prevents the driver from accidentally
entering the REVERSE shift area and warns the driver
that they are about to shift the transmission into RE-
VERSE. Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE can
be perceived as a high shift effort.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than 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 foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.5
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Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The key
can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position. Once the key is removed, the
shift lever is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position and the brake pedal is not pressed. To
move the shift lever out of the PARK position, the
ignition switch must be turned to the ON or START
position (engine running or not) and the brake pedal
must be pressed.
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.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Use only
after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
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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 and shift the
transmission into PARK 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 “Starting and Operating” and “Towing a
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
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.
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
switch located on the center console. A indicator light in
the instrument cluster will illuminate to show that the
switch has been activated. When the indicator light is on,
Overdrive is locked out. Pressing the switch a secondtime restores the Overdrive function. The lockout feature
is useful when towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.
If the transmission overheats, a “HOTOIL” message may
be displayed in the odometer (accompanied by a chime
sound). If the “HOTOIL” message turns on, stop the
vehicle and run the engine at idle or faster, with the
transmission in NEUTRAL until the message turns off.
WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature “HOTOIL” Warn-
ing Message is illuminated and you continue operat-
ing the vehicle, in some circumstances you could
cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact with hot
engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
O/D OFF Switch
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CAUTION!
Continuing to drive with the Transmission Tempera-
ture “HOTOIL” Warning Message illuminated will
eventually cause severe transmission damage or
transmission failure.
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.
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.
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