JEEP WRANGLER 2009 JK / 3.G Owners Manual

An electronically-actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge-actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in an accident.
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Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package will include a four–pin wiring
harness. Use a factory-approved trailer harness and
connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustration.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the
“O/D OFF” feature should be selected.
NOTE:Using “O/D OFF” while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking. The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. Refer to the “Main-
tenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
O/D Off
To reduce the potential for automatic transmission over-
heating, select the “O/D OFF” feature when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to DRIVE position 2
on more severe grades. Refer to “Automatic Transmis-
sion” in this section.5
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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 over-
heating, take the following actions:
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the rear drive-
shaft is removed. See your authorized dealer or refer to
the Service Manual. Towing with the rear wheels on the
ground while the driveshaft is connected can result in
severe transmission damage.
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neu-
tral), automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK,
and manual transmission must be placed in gear (not in
NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle. Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
6. Shift the automatic transmission into DRIVE or the
manual transmission into gear.
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7. Release the brake pedal and ensure that there is no
vehicle movement.
8. Turn the engine off and turn the ignition switch to the
ACC position.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
10. Apply the parking brake.
11. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle with the tow bar.
12. Release the parking brake.
13. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the trans-
fer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is off
prior to shifting the transmission into PARK (refer to
steps8–9above).
Shifting Out of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
3. Shift the transfer case lever into the desired position.
4. Start the engine.
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Shift the automatic transmission into DRIVE or release
the clutch on manual transmissions.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral)
on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, turning
the engine off may be required to avoid gear clash.CAUTION!
•Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 388
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 388
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 389
▫ Jack Location ....................... 390
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 390 ▫
Preparations For Jacking ............... 390
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 391
 Jump-Starting ........................ 394
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 396
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 397
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
lower switch bank below the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, shift transmission into
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
388 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES