JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 2008 Owners Manual

Shift Lock Manual Override
Your vehicle may be equipped with a shift lock manual
override. The manual override may be used in the event
that the shift lever should fail to move from PARK with
the key in the ON position and the brake pedal de-
pressed. To operate the shift lock manual override, per-
form the following steps:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully remove the
shift lock manual override cover which is located on the
PRNDL bezel, above the PARK position.
3. Depress and maintain firm pressure on the brake
pedal.
4. Using the screwdriver, reach into the manual override
opening. Press and hold the shift lock lever down.5. Depress the shifter release button and shift into NEU-
TRAL.
6. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer, if the shift lock manual override has been used.

5

PARK
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
then place the shift lever in the PARK position.

5

Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
switch located on the center console. The O/D OFF
indicator light (on the switch) will illuminate to show
that the switch has been activated. When the indicator
light is on, Overdrive is locked out. Pressing the switch a
second time restores the Overdrive function. The lockout
feature is useful when towing a trailer or carrying a
heavy load.
2 (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry pave-
ment or in mud and snow. Begins from 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.

5

rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accom-
plished by simply moving the shift lever to one of these
positions. The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose,
slippery road surfaces only, and not intended for normal
driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on hard
surfaced roads will cause increased tire wear and damage
to the driveline components.
The 4WD Indicator Light (located in the instrument
cluster) alerts the driver that the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive, and the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. The light will illuminate when the transfer case
is shifted into the 4H position.
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift when only the front or
rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer, and the front and rear
driveshaft speeds must be equal for a shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are spinning
can cause damage to the transfer case. 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.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

5

N (Neutral) Position
This range disengages the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another
vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Section 5 of
this manual.
4L Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4L) provides additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
The 4WD Indicator Light (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4L position.
Shifting Procedure
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion,
shifts can be made up to 50 mph (80 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

5