2012 JEEP WRANGLER four wheel drive

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This is a specialized utility vehicle. It can go places and
perform tasks that conventional passenger cars are not
intended. It handles and maneuvers differently from
many passenger cars both on-road and off-road, so take
time to become familiar with your vehicle.
The two-wheel drive version of this vehicle was designed
for on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road
driving or use in other severe conditions suited for a
four-wheel drive vehicle.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner’s
Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering, transmis-
sion, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehiclehandles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road or
working the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect
the vehicle to overcome the natural laws of physics.
Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws
wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or a
collision. Refer to “On-Road/Off-Road Driving Tips” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by Warranty Information, and various
customer-oriented documents. Please take the time to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
4 INTRODUCTION

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
19. Cruise Indicator This indicator shows when the electronic speed
control system is turned on.
20. 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. 21. Odometer / Trip Odometer / ECO
(Fuel Saver Indicator) Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings or the “ECO”
display. Trip A or Trip B will appear when in the trip
odometer mode. Press and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles or kilome-
ters. The odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
22. Shift Lever Indicator
The Shift Lever Indicator is self-contained within the
instrument cluster. It displays the gear position of the
automatic transmission.
23. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 275

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

▫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
5
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

Screen Display1234D
Actual Gear(s) Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), tap the shift lever to the
left (-) repeatedly as the vehicle slows. The transmission
will shift to the range from which the vehicle can best be
slowed down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive gear if the follow-
ing conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
(COMMAND-TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC)
Operating Instructions/Precautions
The transfer case provides four mode positions:
•2H (Two-wheel drive high range)
•4H (Four-wheel drive high range)
•N (Neutral)
•4L (Four-wheel drive low range)
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

The transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as hard-surfaced roads.
In the event that additional traction is required, the
transfer case 4H and 4L positions can be used to lock the
front and rear driveshafts together, forcing the front andrear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accom-
plished by simply moving the shift lever to one of these
positions. The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose,
slippery road surfaces only and not intended for normal
driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on hard-
surfaced roads will cause increased tire wear and damage
to the driveline components.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the instrument
cluster) alerts the driver that the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive, and the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. The light will illuminate when the transfer case
is shifted into the 4H position.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to shift when only the front or
rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer, and the front and rear
driveshaft speeds must be equal for a shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are spinning
can cause damage to the transfer case.
Four-Wheel Drive Shift Controls
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391

When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed will
be approximately three times (four times for Rubicon
models) that of the 2H or 4H positions at a given road
speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine.
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.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 driveshaft from
the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H Position
This range is used for normal street and highway driving
on hard-surfaced roads.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING