tow bar JEEP WRANGLER 2017 JK / 3.G Owners Manual

▫Axle Lock (Tru–Lok) — Rubicon Models ......305
▫ Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect —
If Equipped ......................... .306
 POWER STEERING ..................... .308
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ...............308
 SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED ..........309
▫ To Activate .......................... .310
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ...................310
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................310
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................311
▫ To Resume Speed ......................311
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .312
 REFUELING THE VEHICLE ................312
▫ Fuel Filler Cap ....................... .312
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............313
VEHICLE LOADING .....................313
▫ Certification Label ..................... .313
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .315
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............316
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ................318
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) ..................319
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............323
▫ Towing Tips .......................... .325
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................327
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle. . . .327
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................. .328
 DRIVING
TIPS......................... .330
▫ On-Road Driving Tips ...................330
▫ Off Road Driving Tips ...................331
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Sway Control – If Equipped
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue.
It typically provides adjustable friction associated with the
telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer sway-
ing motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue weight,
just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some
other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and they
are commonly used to tow small and medium sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying leverage
through spring (load) bars. They are typically used for
heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the tow
vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used in
accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, it provides
for a more level ride, offering more consistent steering and
brake control thereby enhancing towing safety. The addi-
tion of a friction/hydraulic sway control also dampens
sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and contributespositively to tow vehicle and trailer stability. Trailer sway
control and a weight distributing (load equalizing) hitch
are recommended for heavier Tongue Weights (TW) and
may be required depending on vehicle and trailer
configuration/loading to comply with Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) requirements.
WARNING!
•
An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking per-
formance, and could result in a collision.
• Weight Distributing Systems may not be compatible
with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your hitch
and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Recreational
Vehicle dealer for additional information.6
STARTING AND OPERATING 317

Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL
(N), automatic transmission must be in PARK, and manual
transmission must be in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK
for recreational towing.
• Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not in
Neutral) for recreational towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL
(N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•
Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEU-
TRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) position
disengages both the front and rear drive shaft from the
powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
automatic transmission is in PARK (or manual transmis-
sion is in gear). The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is
no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps seven and eight with automatic transmis- sion in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF. 11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual
transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmis-
sion is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine
is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con- nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 329

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to “Gear Selector
Override” in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with
the ignition in the LOCK position. The only approved
method of towing without the ignition key is with a flatbed
truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
Four–Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available and the transfer case is
operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward direction,
with ALLwheels on the ground), IFthe transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission is in PARK(for auto-
matic transmissions) or in gear ( NOTinNEUTRAL, for
manual transmissions). Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for detailed instructions.
366 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY