AltitudeDude

My 2012 JKU Altitude came with the manual shift on an automatic transmission. The gear shifter on the console has a +/- symbol that allows you to shift gears manually. What's the purpose of this?

jadmt

so you can control your shifting. In straight auto mode your computer determines the shift points in manual mode you control the rpms to shift at. Kind of like a manual without a clutch.

Cobb_Sahara

Makes you feel more in control. My wife's charger has it, it makes it funner to drive. IMO

chiromancer

It is also another way to limit the car to first, second or, in some cases, third gear.

LidLess07X

Great for descending a hill to hold a gear

Great for towing in hilly terrain to limit constant up/down shifting

Good in snow ice to help with sliding

Ribeye3

Do all if the new jeeps have this?

chiromancer

All the automatics do

PA Mojave

All automatics had something similar. (D,2,1) The new ones are just more sophisticated with transmissions being electronic.

TheDoubleD

Can it be disabled?

Sporticon

It is disabled until you tap the shifter left or right. It is a necessity if your doing any off roading. If your going down hill and need to keep a slower pace you use the lower gears of the trans so you are not riding the brakes which will cause your rotors to heat up too much and warp as well as having to replace pads sooner.