2012 JEEP WRANGLER tow

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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 487

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.
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
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) 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.
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. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
488 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid
gear clash.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place
manual transmission in Neutral.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle. 11. Start the engine.
12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake
pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and
check that the vehicle operates normally.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 489

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

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.NOTE:
If you have added aftermarket accessories to the
spare tire mounted carrier, it cannot exceed a gross
weight of 50 lbs (23 kg) including the weight of the spare
tire.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery
areas.
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 being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
Jack Wing Nut6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 495

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
1. Remove the spare tire, jack and tools from the stored
location.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
3. Assemble the jack and jacking tools. Connect the jack
handle driver to the extension, then to the lug wrench.
Jack Warning Label
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 497

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable and cause a collision. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
7. Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install
the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel.
Lightly tighten the lug nuts clockwise.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered.
Lug Nut Installation6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 499

8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left,
and remove the jack.
9. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. The correct
wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service
station.
10. Remove the jack assembly and wheel blocks.
11. Secure the tire, jack, and tools in their proper loca-
tions.
12. Remove blocks from wheels.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop, could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
Road Tire Installation
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone shaped
end of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug
nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle is
lowered to the ground.
500 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES