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Using an auto in 4Lo

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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 10:42 AM
  #1  
redstarcluster's Avatar
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From: Prescott, AZ
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
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 10:47 AM
  #2  
racer83l's Avatar
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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.
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
Trail Bud's Avatar
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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
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 11:29 AM
  #4  
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Thanks guys
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 11:44 AM
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Just be sure to not be going too fast when you downshift. It really cranks it down a notch.
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Old Aug 24, 2008 | 11:37 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 12:27 PM
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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
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 12:30 PM
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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
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 06:53 PM
  #9  
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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!
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 05:33 PM
  #10  
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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....
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