Jeep 4x4 Basic Questions
#11
x2 on not really needing in on DRY pavement. However, once pavement becomes covered in ice or snow it is no longer "dry", so your wheels can slip, just like they do on dirt. Thus, no harm in using 4WD.
ALSO, with the JK, ***DO NOT FORGET TO TURN OFF YOUR ESP*** before taking it off the road. I made this mistake on my first trip to the trails, and ended up frying my wiring harness. Since the ESP was left on, it kept trying to correct for unstable conditions on the trail (when it's on it assumes your driving on pavement) and basically ended up getting way over-worked, resulting in some really weird engine issues...
ALSO, with the JK, ***DO NOT FORGET TO TURN OFF YOUR ESP*** before taking it off the road. I made this mistake on my first trip to the trails, and ended up frying my wiring harness. Since the ESP was left on, it kept trying to correct for unstable conditions on the trail (when it's on it assumes your driving on pavement) and basically ended up getting way over-worked, resulting in some really weird engine issues...
#12
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Johnson City,TN
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quick quesion
bigdeenus do you have an auto or manual jk...if i remember correctly when i engage my 4wd it turns the esp off automatically...i know it does in 4 lo pretty sure in 4 hi too... just curious
#13
JK Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
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You shouldn't ever really need 4WD Low unless you're towing something big... like a boat... in reverse... into a lake. I would recommend never using 4WD on icy roads unless you see a fair amount of snow on the roads as well. The general rule is that if you think you can traverse a road WITHOUT 4WD, then you probably can. Your tires should provide you enough traction to maneuver. However, if it's snowing and sticking to the road, 4WD could help. Just try to use as much common sense as you can and things should be fine. I've driven in the Tahoe area many winters, through blizzards & rain, and done some light off-roading in desert and mud and have never had to use 4WD-Low.
#14
JK Freak
Join Date: Nov 2007
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only use 4wd low when pushing a boat into a lake in reverse? 4wd low actually should also be used on trails where speed is not necessary. low gives you a better crawl ratio which will help you idle over obstacles. when i climb steep hills with lose rocks 4 lo keeps the jeep moving without spinning the tires too much. and the best thing about 4 lo is that you can engage it while going down a steep hill (offroad) and then put it in first gear, and the engine will actually slow you down. this way you dont have to keep pushing on your brakes to keep your speed down.
To Engage 4wd:
if you have the automatic 4wd high can be engaged in drive at under 55 mph by simply pulling back on the transfer case lever. to engage 4wd low, have the jeep rolling at under 5mph and put the tranny in neutral. then pull back hard on the t-case lever until it is in the 4 lo position them put your jeep in 1st or 2nd gear.
To Engage 4wd:
if you have the automatic 4wd high can be engaged in drive at under 55 mph by simply pulling back on the transfer case lever. to engage 4wd low, have the jeep rolling at under 5mph and put the tranny in neutral. then pull back hard on the t-case lever until it is in the 4 lo position them put your jeep in 1st or 2nd gear.
#15
I don't plan on running 4wd all that often on the streets, I will probably only use it when it is very cold and rain/hail and or snow...obviously depends on how clear the roads are. And obviously I will be running my 4wd when I am off road.
This is my first Jeep I just picked her up Saturday 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara: Dual Tops, MyGiG, Side Airbags, Remote Start, Auto, 3:73, Black Exterior/black tops, grey YES interior.
What is the proper way to engage 4wd with an Auto. I have noticed that just putting it in 4wd is easy (pulling it back one) but it doesn't seem to want to go into the other gears 4lo, N, 4hi....Does the vehicle need to be off to engage the others? I don't wanna f it up and I don't want to be the idiot my first time at the trail who doesn't even know how to engage 4lo. lol
This is my first Jeep I just picked her up Saturday 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara: Dual Tops, MyGiG, Side Airbags, Remote Start, Auto, 3:73, Black Exterior/black tops, grey YES interior.
What is the proper way to engage 4wd with an Auto. I have noticed that just putting it in 4wd is easy (pulling it back one) but it doesn't seem to want to go into the other gears 4lo, N, 4hi....Does the vehicle need to be off to engage the others? I don't wanna f it up and I don't want to be the idiot my first time at the trail who doesn't even know how to engage 4lo. lol
#16
It seems like some folk confuse 4wd with Awd. If he wants to use it on the street, think about the jobs he's protecting in the service industry. Tow truck drivers, mechanics, parts men, etc... Our economy needs folks to hit their JK's into 4wd on the pavement.
#17
I think I've written the same post about three times in the last month. Here we go again... It's really not that complicated.
--4-HI for high-speed situations
--4-LO for low-speed situations
--4-HI when you need more traction (snow, mud, sand, loose surfaces, etc.)
--4-LO when you need more traction and torque (moderate off-roading/trail running, rock crawling, steep hills, boat ramps, any time you're stuck, etc.)
--You can shift into 4-HI on the fly at speeds up to 55 mph.
--The best way to engage 4-LO is to put the transmission in Neutral, let the Jeep roll forward at about 2 mph, and then firmly pull the 4WD lever all the way towards you.
Okay, now you're all experts. Don't make 4-wheeling harder than it really is.
--4-HI for high-speed situations
--4-LO for low-speed situations
--4-HI when you need more traction (snow, mud, sand, loose surfaces, etc.)
--4-LO when you need more traction and torque (moderate off-roading/trail running, rock crawling, steep hills, boat ramps, any time you're stuck, etc.)
--You can shift into 4-HI on the fly at speeds up to 55 mph.
--The best way to engage 4-LO is to put the transmission in Neutral, let the Jeep roll forward at about 2 mph, and then firmly pull the 4WD lever all the way towards you.
Okay, now you're all experts. Don't make 4-wheeling harder than it really is.
#19
JK Freak
Join Date: Jun 2007
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It should be alright to use 4hi in icy situations I thought.
My ESP stays on for 4hi, but shuts off for 4Lo and you cant turn it back on.
4Lo is for slow speeds.
Don't use either on the pavement...seems simple enough for me.
I avoid 4 in general even when off road..waste gas...dont need it for most situations
My ESP stays on for 4hi, but shuts off for 4Lo and you cant turn it back on.
4Lo is for slow speeds.
Don't use either on the pavement...seems simple enough for me.
I avoid 4 in general even when off road..waste gas...dont need it for most situations
#20
Yup. Ice + 4-HI = Just fine. If the icy conditions are intermittent then just be careful not to make any quick and/or sharp turns with 4-HI engaged.
Another good point. Out here in Moab you can drive around all day in 2-HI on a lot of the trails, and then when you come to an obstacle just slide her into 4-LO. I was surprised how little gas a Rubicon used in Moab though. We wheeled from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, had it in 4-LO pretty much the entire time, and only used four gallons of gas ($15 very well spent). When you're out on the trail, gas seems really cheap when you consider how much fun you can have per gallon.