Engine/
Transmission Axle
Model GCWR
(Gross Com- bined Wt.Rating) Frontal Area
Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Trailer
Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.73 Four–Door
Sahara Model(4WD) 9,000 lbs (4
082 kg) 32 sq ft (2.97
sq m) 3,500 lbs (1
587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/Manual 4.10 Four–Door Rubicon
Model (4WD) 9,200 lbs (4
173 kg) 32 sq ft (2.97
sq m) 3,500 lbs (1
587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.73 Four–Door
Rubicon
Model (4WD) 9,200 lbs (4
173 kg) 32 sq ft (2.97
sq m) 3,500 lbs (1
587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 4.10 Four–Door
Rubicon
Model (4WD) 9,200 lbs (4
173 kg) 32 sq ft (2.97
sq m) 3,500 lbs (1
587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo (ie. the
GVWR), and the GVWR should never exceed the weight
referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Refer to “Tire Safety Information” in “Servicing And
Maintenance” for further information.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector. Refer
to the following illustration.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping and
backing the trailer in an area away from heavy traffic.If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in first gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The transmission
controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting
when towing. However, if frequent shifting does occur
while in DRIVE, you can use the AutoStick shift control to
manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:
Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation, then change the transmission
fluid and filter as specified for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE: Check the automatic transmission fluid level before
towing.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
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STARTING AND OPERATING 325
AutoStick — If Equipped
•When using the AutoStick shift control, select the high-
est gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “4” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or “2”
if needed to maintain the desired speed.
• To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the transmis-
sion into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
326 STARTING AND OPERATING
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. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
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 seven and eight with automatic transmis- sion in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF. 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 transmis-
sion 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 before 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 to the LOCK position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 329
4. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position, but do notstart 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.
NOTE: When shifting the transfer case out of NEUTRAL
(N), the engine should remain OFF 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.DRIVING TIPS
On-Road Driving Tips
Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a nar-
rower track to make them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific design character-
istics give them a higher center of gravity than conven-
tional passenger cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional passenger cars any more than low-slung
sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily in off-
road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
Snow
In heavy snow or for additional control and traction at
slower speeds, shift the transmission into a low gear and
the transfer case into 4L (Low) if necessary. Do not shift to
a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over-
revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be
lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your steering
wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth,
while still applying throttle. This will allow the tires to get
a freshbiteand help maintain your momentum.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high
engine RPM or vehicle speeds, because engine braking
may cause skidding and loss of control.
Mud
Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around the tires and
is very difficult to get through. You should use second gear
(manual transmission), or DRIVE (automatic transmission),
with the transfer case in the 4L (Low) position to maintain
your momentum. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning
your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth for additional traction. Mud holes pose an in-
creased threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck. They are
normally full of debris from previous vehicles getting stuck.
As a good practice before entering any mud hole, get out and
determine how deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles
and if the vehicle can be safely recovered if stuck.
Sand
Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with full tire
pressure. When crossing soft, sandy spots in a trail, main-
tain your vehicle’s momentum and do not stop. The key to
driving in soft sand is using the appropriate tire pressure,
accelerating slowly, avoiding abrupt maneuvers and main-
taining the vehicle’s momentum. If you are going to be
driving on large soft sandy areas or dunes, reduce your tire
pressure to a minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a
greater tire surface area. Reduced tire pressure will drasti-
cally improve your traction and handling while driving on
the soft sand, but you must return the tires to normal air
pressure before driving on pavement or other hard sur-
faces. Be sure you have a way to reinflate the tires prior to
reducing the pressure.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 333
Hill Climbing
Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good under-
standing of your abilities and your vehicle’s limitations.
Hills can cause serious problems. Some are just too steep to
climb and should not be attempted. You should always feel
confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You should
always climb hills straight up and down. Never attempt to
climb a hill on an angle.
Before Climbing A Steep Hill
As you approach a hill, consider its grade or steepness.
Determine if it is too steep. Look to see what the traction is
on the hill side trail. Is the trail straight up and down?
What is on top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks,
branches or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely
recover the vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything
looks good and you feel confident, shift the transmission
into a lower gear with 4L (Low) engaged, and proceed with
caution, maintaining your momentum as you climb the
hill.
Driving Up Hill
Once you have determined your ability to proceed and
have shifted into the appropriate gear, line your vehicle up
for the straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easyconstant throttle and apply more power as you start up the
hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade; the abrupt
change of grade could cause you to lose control. If the front
end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring
all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest
of the hill, ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over the
top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of
a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly
back and forth. This will provide a fresh
biteinto the
surface and will usually provide enough traction to com-
plete the climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the
vehicle in REVERSE and back straight down the grade
using engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around
on a steep grade. Driving across an incline increases
the risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
Driving Downhill
Before driving down a steep hill, you need to determine if
it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface
traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow, con-
trolled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent?
336 STARTING AND OPERATING
Is there plenty of distance at the base of the hill to regain
control if the vehicle descends to fast? If you feel confident
in your ability to proceed, then make sure you are in 4L
(Low) and proceed with caution. Allow engine braking to
control the descent and apply your brakes, if necessary, but
do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured or killed.
Driving Across An Incline
If at all possible, avoid driving across an incline. If it is
necessary, know your vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an
incline places more weight on the downhill wheels, which
increases the possibilities of a downhill slide or rollover.
Make sure the surface has good traction with firm and
stable soils. If possible, transverse the incline at an angle
heading slightly up or down.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll-
over, which may result in severe injury.
If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep
hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately
apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing engine braking
to control the descent and apply your brakes, if necessary,
but do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt
to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and
rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe injury.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in RE-
VERSE. Never back down a hill in NEUTRAL using
only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally across
a hill, always drive straight up or down.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 337