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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new FCA US LLC
vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision workman-
ship, 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 vehicle
handles 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.
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Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light
This light indicates when the rear axle lock has been activated.
4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front
and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 333
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AUTOSTICK ......................... .451
▫ Operation .......................... .452
FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
(COMMAND-TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC) ......453
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ........454
▫ Shift Positions ....................... .456
▫ Shifting Procedure .....................457
TRAC-LOK REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED .....458
AXLE LOCK (TRU–LOK) — RUBICON
MODELS ........................... .459
ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .460
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................462
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................463 ▫
Side Step Removal — If Equipped ..........463
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving ...........464
▫ When To Use 4L (Low) Range .............465
▫ Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation. . .465
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........466
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .467
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .470
▫ Driving Through Water .................472
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................475
POWER STEERING .....................476
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............477
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .478
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▫Trailer Hitch Classification ...............546
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .548
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............555
▫ Towing Requirements ..................556
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .561
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................563
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ............................ .563
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .564
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STARTING AND OPERATING 433
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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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
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.
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Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:
•After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow
the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is
especially important when the engine is cold.
• If there is a need to restart the engine, be sure to cycle
the ignition to the LOCK/OFF position before restart-
ing. Transmission gear engagement may be delayed
after restarting the engine if the ignition is not cycled
to the LOCK/OFF position first.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
NOTE:
On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
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•You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear can be helpful in
snowy or icy conditions.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is engaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
NOTE: When the transfer case is in the 4L (Low) range,
the transmission will shift automatically (but no higher
than the displayed gear).
To disengage AutoStick mode, hold the shift lever to the
right (+) until Dis once again displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick
mode at any time without taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION (COMMAND-
TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC)
WARNING!
Failure to engage a transfer case position completely
can cause transfer case damage or loss of power and
vehicle control. You could have a collision. Do not
drive the vehicle unless the transfer case is fully
engaged.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 453
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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)
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 and
Four-Wheel Drive Shift Lever
454 STARTING AND OPERATING