2015 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin
than ESC would normally allow is required to gain
traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the
ESC OFF switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On”
mode of operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the#ESC Partial
Off#mode by pressing the ESC OFF switch. Once the
situation requiring ESC to be switched to the#ESC Partial
Off#mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momen-
tarily pressing the ESC OFF switch. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING!
•When in%ESC Partial Off%mode, the TCS function-
ality of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature
described in the TCS section), has been disabled
and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illumi-
nated. When in%ESC Partial Off%mode, the engine
power reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC
system is reduced.
•Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in the%ESC Partial Off%mode.
ESC Full Off
This mode is entered by pressing and holding momen-
tarily pressing the ESC OFF switch for five seconds.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 479

In the#ESC Full Off#mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are disabled. Therefore, the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESC system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESC Full Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only.
When in#ESC Full Off#mode, ESC and TCS, except for
the Brake Limited Differential (BLD) feature described in
the TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches
an approximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). For speeds
at or exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h) the ESC
goes into#ESC Partial Off#. When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to
#ESC Full Off#. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press
the ESC OFF switch. This will restore normal “ESC On”
mode of operation. The#ESC Off Indicator Light” will
always be illuminated when ESC is in#ESC Partial Off#
and#ESC full Off#.
WARNING!
With the ESC in%ESC Full Off%mode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by
ESC and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive
(Continued)ESC OFF Switch
480 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
maneuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage
to assist in maintaining stability. The%ESC Full Off%
mode is intended for off-road use only.
4L Range (4WD Models)
ESC Full Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4L range.
Whenever the vehicle is started in 4L range, or the
transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4H range or
NEUTRAL to 4L range, the ESC system will be in this
mode. In 4L range, ESC and TCS, except for the Brake
Limited Differential (BLD) feature described in the TCS
section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches an ap-
proximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). For speeds at or
exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h) the ESC goes
into#ESC Partial Off#When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to
#ESC Full Off#. The ESC is in#ESC Full Off#at low vehicle
speeds in 4L range so that it will not interfere with
off-road driving, but the ESC function returns to provide
the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h).
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” will always be illumi-
nated in 4L range when ESC is in#ESC Full Off#or#ESC
Partial Off#.
NOTE:The “ESC OFF” message will display and an
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed in
the PARK position from any position other than PARK,
and then moved out of the PARK position. This will
occur even if the message was previously cleared.
WARNING!
With the ESC in%ESC Full Off%mode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by
ESC and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 481

WARNING!(Continued)
maneuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage
to assist in maintaining stability. The%ESC Full Off%
mode is intended for off-road use only.
2H Range (4WD Models) Or 2WD Models
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2H range
and on 2WD vehicles.
ESC Partial Off
When in#ESC Partial Off#mode, the TCS portion of ESC
(except for the limited slip feature described in the TCS
section), has been disabled and the#ESC Off Indicator
Light#will be illuminated.
This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin
than ESC would normally allow is required to gain
traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the
ESC OFF switch. This will restore the normal#ESC On#
mode of operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the#ESC Partial
Off#mode by pressing the#ESC Full Off#switch. Once the
situation requiring ESC to be switched to the#ESC Partial
Off#mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momen-
tarily pressing the#ESC Full Off#switch. This may be
done while the vehicle is in motion.
The ESC will restore to normal ESC On mode after each
key on.
482 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality
of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature de-
scribed in the TCS section), has been disabled and
the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illuminated.
When in “Partial Off” mode, the engine power
reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the
enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC sys-
tem is reduced.
•Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in the%Partial Off%mode.
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is cycled to the ON/
RUN position. It should go out with the engine running.
If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
comes on continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in the ESC system. If this light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle
has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds
greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed
and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 483

NOTE:
•The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
•Each time the ignition is cycled to the ON/RUN
position, the ESC system will be ON even if it was
cycled off previously, except for when the vehicle is
started while in 4L Range.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is partially
off or full off.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. TSC cannot stop all trailers
from swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer
and follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer to
“Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will flash, the
engine power may be reduced and you may feel the
brakes being applied to individual wheels to attempt to
stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled when the
ESC system is in the#ESC Partial Off#or#ESC Full Off#
modes.
484 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving.
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descending hills in
off-road driving conditions by applying the brakes when
necessary.
The symbol indicates the status of the Hill
Descent Control (HDC) feature. The lamp will
be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only
be armed when the transfer case is in the “4WD
LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then 30 mph
(48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while attempt-
ing to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator light will
flash on/off.
When enabled, HDC senses the terrain and activates
when the vehicle is descending a hill. HDC speed may be
adjusted by the driver to suit the driving conditions. The
speed corresponds to the transmission gear selected.
GearApproximate HDC Set
Speed
1st1 mph (1.5 km/h)
2nd2.5 mph (4 km/h)
3rd4 mph (6.5 km/h)
4th5.5 mph (9 km/h)
DRIVE7.5 mph (12 km/h)
REVERSE1 mph (1.5 km/h)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485

However, the driver can override HDC operation by
applying the brake to slow the vehicle down below the
HDC control speed. If more speed is desired during HDC
control, the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed
in the usual manner. When either the brake or the
accelerator is released, HDC will control the vehicle at the
original set speed.
Enabling HDC
1. Shift the transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Refer to
“Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information.
2. Press the “Hill Descent” button. The “Hill Descent
Control Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will
turn on solid.
NOTE:
•If the transfer case is not in 4WD LOW range, the
“Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
•If the ESC senses that the brakes are overheating the
“Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will become deactivated until
the brakes have cooled.
Disabling HDC
Press the “Hill Descent” button or shift the transfer case
out of 4WD LOW range. The “Hill Descent Control
Indicator” light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING