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.
 
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.
 
Back
Top