2011 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neu-
tral), automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK,
and manual transmission must be placed in gear (NOT in
NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
•Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
•Automatic transmissions must be placed in the
PARK position for recreational towing.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not
in Neutral) for recreational towing.
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL.
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
•Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 479

Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
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 driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
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. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Turn OFF the engine.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
480 STARTING AND OPERATING

8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual
transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is
no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in
DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn OFF the engine and leave the ignition switch in
the unlocked OFF position.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual
transmission in gear (NOT in Neutral).
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the trans-
fer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF
prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
Shifting Out of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con-
nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition key/fob to the LOCK/OFF position
(if it has been moved or the engine has been started).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 481

5. Turn the ignition key/fob to the ON/RUN position,
but do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral),
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place
manual transmission in Neutral. 10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake
pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and
check that the vehicle operates normally.
482 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 484
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 484
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 485
▫ Jack Location ....................... 486
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 486
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 487
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 488
 Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 491
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 492▫
Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 493
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 495
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 496
 Shift Lever Override ................... 497
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 498
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key FOB ..... 500
▫ Four–Wheel Drive Models .............. 500
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, shift transmission into
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
484 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle,
take it to a service center where it can be raised on
a lift.
(Continued)6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 485

WARNING! (Continued)
•The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only. The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
Jack Location
The jack and lug wrench are located in the rear storage
compartment.
Spare Tire Stowage
To remove the spare tire from the carrier, remove the tire
cover, if equipped, and remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench turning them counterclockwise.
Jack Storage
486 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES