2012 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 372
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 372
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 372
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 373
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 373
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 373
▫ After Starting ....................... 375
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 375
Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 376
▫ Shifting ........................... 377
▫ Downshifting ....................... 378
▫ Reverse Shifting ..................... 379
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 379
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 381
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 382
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 382
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 384
5

Four–Wheel Drive Operation
(Command-Trac I Or Rock-Trac).......... 390
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ....... 390
▫ Shift Positions ...................... 392
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 393
 Trac-Lok Rear Axle — If Equipped ........ 394
 Axle Lock (Tru–Lok) — Rubicon Models .... 395
 Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect —
If Equipped .......................... 396
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 398
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 399
▫ Side Step Removal – If Equipped ......... 399
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving .......... 400
▫ When To Use 4L (Low) Range ........... 401▫
Simultaneous Brake And Throttle
Operation .......................... 401
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 402
▫ Crossing Obstacles
(Rocks And Other High Points) .......... 403
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 406
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 408
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 411
 Power Steering ....................... 412
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 413
 Parking Brake ........................ 414
 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 417
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 419
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 419
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 420
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 420
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 424
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 425
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 429
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 430
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped . . 431
 Tire Safety Information ................. 432
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 432
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 436
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 437
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 438
Tires — General Information ............. 443
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 443
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 444
▫ Tire Pressures For High-Speed Operation . . . 445
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 446
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 446
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 447
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 447
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 448
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 448
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 449
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 450
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STARTING AND OPERATING 369

▫Replacement Tires .................... 450
 Tire Chains .......................... 452
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 453
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 454
▫ Base System ........................ 457
▫ General Information .................. 459
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 460
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 460
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 461
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 461
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 462
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 462 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ................. 463
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 464
 Adding Fuel ......................... 465
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 465
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 466
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 466
▫ Certification Label ................... 466
 Trailer Towing ........................ 469
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 469
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 472
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 473
370 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 477
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 478
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 483 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 485
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind
Another Vehicle ..................... 485
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 486
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STARTING AND OPERATING 371

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Four-Wheel Drive Models Only
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless of whether
or not the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. This feature
enhances off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to
start when in 4L without having to press the clutch pedal.
The “4WD Indicator Light” will illuminate when the
transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Start the vehicle with the shift lever in the PARK position
(vehicle can also be started in NEUTRAL). Apply the
brake before shifting to any driving range.
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Tip Start Feature – Automatic Transmission Only
Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will continue to run, but will automatically disengage
itself when the engine is running. If the engine fails to
start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally-powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 373

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and, once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.Without Tip Start – Manual Transmission Only
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING