top JEEP WRANGLER 1999 Owners Manual

Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.

Your vehicle’s fabric top has pliable plastic windows
which can be scratched unless special care is taken
by following these directions:

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is seated upright in the seat.
•The lap belt portion should be low on the hips and as
snug as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the child’s face or neck,
move the child closer to the center of the vehicle.
Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an
arm or behind their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

To use your brakes and decelerate more safely, follow these tips:
•Do not “ride” the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal. This
could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable braking
action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage.
•When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can cause
brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid repeated heavy
braking by downshifting the transmission whenever possible.
•Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because engine braking
may cause skidding and loss of control.
•Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up, which could
cause rear wheels to spin and result in loss of vehicle control. Be
especially careful while driving on slippery roads, in close-quarter
maneuvering, parking or stopping. Remember, always engage
4-wheel drive when driving on slippery roads.
•Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when roads are wet
or slushy. A wedge of water can build up between the tire tread and the
road. This hydroplaning action can cause loss of traction, braking
ability, and control. Under such conditions, engage 4-wheel drive.
•After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may become
wet, resulting in poor performance and unpredictable braking
action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermittent pedal action while
driving at very slow speeds.
WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can change
the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle handling. To avoid
loss of control resulting in personal injury, follow these
guidelines:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor, and locate
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear axle. Too
much weight or improperly placed weight over or behind
the rear axle can cause the rear of the vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a danger-
ous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
•The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and use
seat belts.
•On hardtop models, do not drive with the lift glass up. On
fabric top models, do not drive with the rear window
curtain up unless the side curtains are also open. This will
prevent dangerous exhaust fumes from entering the ve-
hicle.

Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
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. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway byturning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L (Low) range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
STARTING AND OPERATING 205

Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
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. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway byturning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L (Low) range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
STARTING AND OPERATING 205

Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
•Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
•Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
•Overinflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Always drive with each tire properly inflated.

Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel cap
(gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let impurities
into the fuel system. Also, a poorly fitting after-
market cap can cause the MIL (Malfunction Indica-
tor Light) to illuminate, due to fuel vapors escaping
from the system.To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227