2012 JEEP WRANGLER towing

Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package will include a four–pin wiring
harness. Use a factory-approved trailer harness and
connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustration.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
482 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in first gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, use
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control to select a
lower gear range.NOTE:
Using a lower gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to “Mainte-
nance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE: Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 483

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF theGroundFour-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONE See Instructions
•Automatic transmission in PARK
•Manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL (N)
•Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
•Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485

Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into NEU-
TRAL (N), 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 (N)” to
be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N). 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.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts 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 NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational 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
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 487

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 492
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 492
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 493
▫ Jack Location ....................... 494
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 495
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 495
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 496
▫ Road Tire Installation ................. 500 
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 501
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 502
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 503
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 505
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 506
 Shift Lever Override ................... 507
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 508
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob ..... 509
▫ Four–Wheel Drive Models .............. 510
6

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, they are
mounted in the front and the rear.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck
vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury
or death.
•Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, caus-
ing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle. Tow straps are recommended
when towing the vehicle, chains may cause vehicle
damage.
506 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the
transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground4WD MODELS
Flat Tow NONESee instructions under “Recreational Towing”
•
Automatic Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear ( NOTin Neutral)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD
508 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES