tires JEEP WRANGLER 2012 JK / 3.G Owners Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

FREEDOM TOP™ THREE-PIECE MODULAR
HARD TOP — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
•The hard top is not designed to carry any addi-
tional loads such as roof racks, spare tires, build-
ing, hunting, or camping supplies, and/or luggage,
etc. Also, it was not designed as a structural
member of the vehicle, and thus cannot properly
carry any additional loads other than environmen-
tal (rain, snow, etc.).
•Do not move your vehicle until the top has been
either fully attached to the windshield frame and
bodyside, or fully removed.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions may cause interior
water damage, stains or mildew:
•It is recommended that the top be free of water
prior to panel removal. Removing the top, opening
a door or lowering a window while the top is wet
may allow water to drip into the vehicles interior.
•The hard top assembly must be positioned prop-
erly to ensure sealing. Improper installation can
cause water to leak into the vehicles interior.
•Careless handling and storage of the removable
roof panels may damage the seals, causing water to
leak into the vehicles interior.
•The front panel(s) must be positioned properly to
ensure sealing. Improper installation can cause
water to leak into the vehicles interior.
176 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SOFT TOP — TWO-DOOR MODELS
Please visit the owners section of Jeep.com for instruc-
tional videos.
CAUTION!
The soft top is not designed to carry any additional
loads such as roof racks, spare tires, building, hunt-
ing, or camping supplies, and/or luggage, etc. Also, it
was not designed as a structural member of the
vehicle and, thus, cannot properly carry any addi-
tional loads other than environmental (rain, snow,
etc.).
If the temperature is below 72°F (24°C) and/or the top
has been folded down for a period of time, the top will
appear to have shrunk when you raise it, making it
difficult to put up. This is caused by a natural contraction
of the vinyl coating on the fabric top. Place the vehicle in a warm area. Pull steadily on the top
fabric. The vinyl will stretch back to its original size and
the top can then be installed.
If the temperature is 41°F
(5°C) or below, do not attempt to put the top down or
roll the rear or side curtains.CAUTION!
•Do not run a fabric top through an automatic car
wash. Window scratches and wax build up may
result.
•Do not lower the top when the temperature is
below 41°F (5°C). Damage to the top may result.
•Do not move your vehicle until the top has been
either fully attached to the windshield frame, or
fully lowered.
•Do not lower the top with the windows installed.
Window and top damage may occur.
(Continued)
194 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SOFT TOP — FOUR-DOOR MODELS
Please visit the owner’s section of Jeep.com for instruc-
tional videos.
CAUTION!
The soft top is not designed to carry any additional
loads such as roof racks, spare tires, building, hunt-
ing, or camping supplies, and/or luggage, etc. Also, it
was not designed as a structural member of the
vehicle, and thus cannot properly carry any addi-
tional loads other than environmental (rain, snow,
etc.).
If the temperature is below 72°F (24°C) and/or the top
has been folded down for a period of time, the top will
appear to have shrunk when you raise it, making it
difficult to put up. This is caused by a natural contraction
of the vinyl coating on the fabric top. Place the vehicle in a warm area. Pull steadily on the top
fabric. The vinyl will stretch back to its original size and
the top can then be snapped into place.
If the tempera-
ture is 41°F (5°C) or below, do not attempt to put the top
down or roll the rear or side curtains.CAUTION!
•Do not run a fabric top through an automatic car
wash. Window scratches and wax buildup may
result.
•Do not lower the top when the temperature is
below 41°F (5°C). Damage to the top may result.
•Do not lower the top when the windows are dirty.
Grit may scratch the window.
•Do not move your vehicle until the top has been
either fully attached to the windshield frame, or
fully lowered.
(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 219

tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
276 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
24. Odometer / Trip Odometer Display Area
The odometer display shows the total distance the vehicle
has been driven. The trip odometer shows individual trip
mileage. Refer to “Odometer / Trip Odometer / ECO
(Fuel Saver Indicator) Button” for additional information.
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. If your
odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the repair
technician should leave the odometer reading the same
as it was before the repair or service. If s/he cannot do so,
then the odometer must be set at zero, and a sticker must
be placed in the door jamb stating what the mileage was
before the repair or service. It is a good idea for you to
make a record of the odometer reading before the repair/
service, so that you can be sure that it is properly reset, or
that the door jamb sticker is accurate if the odometer
must be reset at zero.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 277

▫Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 420
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 420
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 424
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 425
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 429
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 430
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped . . 431
 Tire Safety Information ................. 432
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 432
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 436
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 437
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 438
Tires — General Information ............. 443
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 443
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 444
▫ Tire Pressures For High-Speed Operation . . . 445
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 446
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 446
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 447
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 447
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 448
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 448
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 449
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 450
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 369

▫Replacement Tires .................... 450
 Tire Chains .......................... 452
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 453
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 454
▫ Base System ........................ 457
▫ General Information .................. 459
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 460
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 460
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 461
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 461
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 462
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 462 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ................. 463
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 464
 Adding Fuel ......................... 465
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 465
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 466
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 466
▫ Certification Label ................... 466
 Trailer Towing ........................ 469
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 469
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 472
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 473
370 STARTING AND OPERATING

When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed will
be approximately three times (four times for Rubicon
models) that of the 2H or 4H positions at a given road
speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine.
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.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 driveshaft from
the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H Position
This range is used for normal street and highway driving
on hard-surfaced roads.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
Snow
In heavy snow or for additional control and traction at
slower speeds, shift the transmission into a low gear and
the transfer case into 4L (Low) if necessary. Do not shift to
a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over-
revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will
be lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your
steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and
forth, while still applying throttle. This will allow the
tires to get a freshbiteand help maintain your momen-
tum.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high
engine RPM or vehicle speeds, because engine brak-
ing may cause skidding and loss of control.
Mud
Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around the tires
and is very difficult to get through. You should use
second gear (manual transmission), or DRIVE (automatic
transmission), with the transfer case in the 4L (Low)
position to maintain your momentum. If you start to slow
to a stop, try turning your steering wheel no more than a
1/4 turn quickly back and forth for additional traction.
Mud holes pose an increased threat of vehicle damage
and getting stuck. They are normally full of debris from
previous vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice before
entering any mud hole, get out and determine how deep
it is, if there are any hidden obstacles and if the vehicle
can be safely recovered if stuck.
Sand
Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with full tire
pressure. When crossing soft, sandy spots in a trail,
maintain your vehicle’s momentum and do not stop. The
key to driving in soft sand is using the appropriate tire
402 STARTING AND OPERATING