brakes JEEP WRANGLER 2004 TJ / 2.G Owners Manual

19. Trip Odometer Button
Press and release this button to toggle between the
odometer and trip odometer displays. This button is also
used to reset the trip odometer to 0. While the display is
showing the trip odometer, press and hold the button for
approximately 2 seconds and the display will reset to 0.
20. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The odometer will ªilluminateº when the driver's door
has been opened, and will remain on for 20 seconds after
exiting the vehicle.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so the correct mileage can be
determined.The trip odometer shows individual mileage up to 999.9
miles (1 600 km). To switch from odometer to trip
odometer, press the trip odometer button.
21. Anti-Lock (ABS) Warning Light
After ignition is turned on, illuminates to indi-
cate function check at vehicle start-up. If light
remains on after start-up or comes on and stays on at
road speeds, it may indicate that the ABS has detected
a malfunction or has become inoperative. The system
reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.
If both the red BRAKE warning light and the amber ABS
warning light are on, see your dealer immediately. Refer
to ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in Section 5 of this manual.
22. Brake Warning Light
After ignition is turned on, illuminates to in-
dicate function check at vehicle start-up. Indi-
cates parking brake is applied. If the light stays
on when the parking brake is off, it indicates a possible
brake system fluid leak or low pressure level,see your
authorized dealer immediately.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 119
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................160
NManual Transmission..................160
NAutomatic Transmission................160
NNormal Starting......................160
NExtreme Cold Weather
(Below ±20ÉF Or ±29ÉC).................161
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................161
NAfter Starting........................162
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped........162
mTransmission Shifting...................163
N5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission.....163
NAutomatic Transmission................165
mFour±Wheel Drive Operation (Command-TracŸ
Or Rock-TracŸ) Ð If Equipped
...........170
NOperating Instructions/Precautions.........170
NShift Positions........................171
NShifting Procedure....................172
mTrac-LokŸ Rear Axle...................173
mAxle Lock (Tru±LokŸ) Ð If Equipped......174
mParking Brake.........................175
mAbout Your Brakes.....................177
mAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.....179
mOn-Road Driving Tips..................181
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2 (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry
pavement or in mud and snow. Begins at a stop in low
gear with automatic upshift to 2nd gear. Will not shift
to 3rd.
1 (First)
For hard pulling at low speeds in mud, sand, snow, or
on steep grades. Begins and stays in low gear with no
upshift. Provides engine compression braking at low
speeds.
WARNING!
Never use P (Park) position with an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Al-
ways apply parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and possible injury
or damage.
CAUTION!
²Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise,
damage to steering column or shifter could result.
²Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These prac-
tices can overheat and damage the transmission.
²When ªrockingº a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween D (Drive) and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
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If the parking brake is not completely released, the
BRAKE warning light will remain on.
NOTE:Your vehicle has automatically adjusting rear
brakes and we do not recommend any adjustment other
than the maintenance performed by your authorized
dealer.
ABOUT YOUR BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as
standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for
any reason (for example, repeated brake applications
with the engine off), the brakes will still function. The
effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater
than that required with the power system operating.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
If either of two hydraulic systems lose normal capability,
the remaining system will still function with some loss of
overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by
increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 177
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WARNING!
To use your brakes and decelerate more safely, follow these
tips:
²Do not ªrideº 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.
²When 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.
²Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
²Engines 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.
²Do 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.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in poor performance and unpredict-
able 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 han-
dling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
²Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor, and
locate heavier objects as low and as far forward as
possible.
²Place 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.
²Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or become
a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
²The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
²On 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 vehicle.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
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!
²Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

Don't shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
When driving on soft sand, reduce your tire pressure to
15 psi (103 kPa) minimum to allow greater tire surface
area. You must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces.
NOTE:Reduced tire pressures below 15 psi (103 kPa)
may cause tire unseating and loss of air pressure.
Hill Climbing
Before climbing a steep hill,change transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use
first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift
to R (Reverse). Back up slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine and transmission tohelp regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.
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) or with the clutch
pedal depressed, 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 by
turning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will
provide fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and 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.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After driving off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and propeller shafts.
²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake drums, brake
linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon
as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may
cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You
might not have full braking power when you need it
to prevent an accident. If you have been operating
your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes
checked and cleaned as necessary.
²If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels will correct
the situation.
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²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds to
the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The manufacturer's warranty will apply to vehicles used
to tow trailers for noncommercial use, however the
following conditions must be met:
²The ªDº Overdrive range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs move the
shift lever to the next lower position to eliminate
excessive automatic transmission shifting. This action
will also reduce the possibility of transmission over-
heating and provide better engine braking. Refer to
ªTransmission Shiftingº in this section for additional
information.
²A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 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!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
mandatory for motoring safety.
²Follow the maintenance intervals in schedule ªBº for
changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation.
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Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed. Inspect all hose connections such as clamps
and couplings to make sure they are secure and no leaks
are present. Components should be replaced immedi-
ately if there is any evidence of degradation that could
cause failure.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the appropriate ªMaintenance Scheduleº in
Section 8 for suggested service intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses for evidence of heat and me-
chanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber, cracking, tears,
cuts, abrasion, and excessive swelling suggest deteriora-
tion of the rubber. Particular attention should be made to
examining those hose surfaces nearest to high heat
sources, such as the exhaust manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 243
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