Notices
JK Off-Road 101 Bulletin board forum regarding topics such as general off-roading tips, tricks, techniques and equipment usage such as winching and vehicle recovery information.

Using an auto in 4Lo

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-20-2008, 10:42 AM
  #1  
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
 
redstarcluster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Using an auto in 4Lo

Hey guys,

I just recently bought my first 4-wheel drive vehicle so I'm new to everything. I bought an 08 Jeep Green Rubicon 4 door. My question is, if you're in 4Lo, should the shifter be in 1st gear, or just regular Drive?

Thanks
Old 08-20-2008, 10:47 AM
  #2  
JK Junkie
 
racer83l's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

x2 on what N2Rock said. I leave mine in D unless im going down steep inclines or over rocks..

It has worked well for me so far.
Old 08-20-2008, 11:23 AM
  #3  
JK Super Freak
 
Trail Bud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tarzana, CA
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default shifting a automatic in 4 lo

Originally Posted by redstarcluster
Hey guys,

I just recently bought my first 4-wheel drive vehicle so I'm new to everything. I bought an 08 Jeep Green Rubicon 4 door. My question is, if you're in 4Lo, should the shifter be in 1st gear, or just regular Drive?

Thanks
From experience I would recomend shifting from 1st to 2nd as needed when in 4 low.
If you don't your tranny will run about 50 degrees hotter. I burned up a trannny and installed a gage set & cooler for the new tranny. I can see the difference in temps when shifting and leaving it in drive.
Also if you ever hear a single ding. (like the door chime) your tranny just over heated. there's no explanation of the ding in the service manual.
This happened to us (automatic JK's) on runs with you're in 4 lo and moving up a incline under 15 MPH. As soon as you get moving and air flowing it cools down.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Old 08-20-2008, 11:29 AM
  #4  
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
 
redstarcluster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks guys
Old 08-20-2008, 11:44 AM
  #5  
JK Super Freak
 
mmcan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dallas, Texas, United States
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just be sure to not be going too fast when you downshift. It really cranks it down a notch.
Old 08-24-2008, 11:37 AM
  #6  
JK Enthusiast
 
motorhead0320's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

the first time i took mine offroad i had never driven an auto on the trails. as i started going down a pretty steep decline i expected the engine to brake it and with the 4:1 i figured i would creep down, instead since i was in DRIVE i flew down and almost hit a tree. learned my lesson real fast when to put it in frst.
Old 08-29-2008, 12:27 PM
  #7  
JK Enthusiast
 
jeff@zina.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mmcan
Just be sure to not be going too fast when you downshift. It really cranks it down a notch.
A Notch?! It feels more like hitting a wall! The good news is you only make that mistake the first time...

Jeff
Old 08-29-2008, 12:30 PM
  #8  
JK Enthusiast
 
jeff@zina.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ogie
Hills that require 4-low, I keep it in 1st gear. Level ground that requires 4-low, I may put it in 2nd but usually still use 1st. If you're in a situation where you can go fast enough to catch 3rd gear, you probably don't need to be in 4-low.
x2. 4-Lo is a slow steady crawl. You should never need to shift up.

Jeff
Old 08-29-2008, 06:53 PM
  #9  
JK Enthusiast
 
Hellbilly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Raeford, NC
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ogie
Hills that require 4-low, I keep it in 1st gear. Level ground that requires 4-low, I may put it in 2nd but usually still use 1st. If you're in a situation where you can go fast enough to catch 3rd gear, you probably don't need to be in 4-low.
Well put! That about sums it up!
Old 08-31-2008, 05:33 PM
  #10  
JK Freak
 
randyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Rio Rico, AZ
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I like the 1-2 combo. Works very well. It stays in second most of the time. Then put it in first for speep hills up or down....


Quick Reply: Using an auto in 4Lo



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:36 PM.