How to engage 4wd

FreeSpirit

New Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Location
Sandhills
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but this is my first 4WD vehicle - a 98 Jeep Wrangler. It did not come with a manual and the salesman didn't have a clue. On Jeep's website they have the instructions for using command trac (which is what mine has) for the new models but the guy at the dealership told me a complete different way to use it.
It is an automatic (please not too much grief - I break bones often and its easier to drive an automatic one legged/one armed :rolleyes: ) and I need to know the correct way to put it into 4hi, 4lo, and to put it back into 2hi. The only thing I know is to not do it on pavement - see I did learn something already!
Thanks and sorry again for such a basic question!
 
Welcome to the Jeep lifestyle! 2hi to 4 hi can be done while in motion. You need to be stopped or very slow to go into 4lo. 4hi to 2hi can be done in motion too.
 
It works better if you are in neutral when you go into 4 lo and back into 4 hi, like was said, 2 hi to 4 hi and back while moving.
 
isn't there a thing on the back on the sunvisor that explains it? There was on my truck..

With that, I found it easiest and least likely to grind to first go to 4hi, get between 0-5mph, and in one quick motion, go all the way to 4low.
 
Thanks everyone!

There was nothing on the sunvisor - details about airbag safety, but nothing on 4WD.

The guy at the dealership mentioned when going from 4 back to 2 to first drive in reverse 5 or 6 feet before going forward...is this correct? If so, what does that do?

Thanks again!
 
I have heard that too(about reverse) Never had to do it in my jeeps, but my Dodge truck is verry fussy and I have to do it every time...I think it relieves a bind or something...I dont know.
 
going in reverse for a few feet is typically only for vehicles with automatic locking hubs to make sure they unlock. something like a wrangler that doesn't have hubs shouldn't need it unless you're just trying to relieve a driveline bind or something.
 
RufusTheRam said:
going in reverse for a few feet is typically only for vehicles with automatic locking hubs to make sure they unlock. something like a wrangler that doesn't have hubs shouldn't need it unless you're just trying to relieve a driveline bind or something.
Click to expand...

I second this, this is the only reason I have heard for reversing when dealing with going in and out of 4wd.
 
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