Jeep GLADIATOR 2022 Owner's Manual page 140

138 STARTING AND OPERATING
4H AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto High Range — This range sends
power to the front wheels. The four-wheel drive system
will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses
a loss of traction. This range provides additional trac-
tion for varying road conditions.
4H PART TIME
Four-Wheel Drive Part Time High Range — This range
maximizes torque to the front driveshaft, forcing the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This
range provides additional traction for loose, slippery
road surfaces only.
N (Neutral)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the park-
ing brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position dis-
engages both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
the automatic transmission is in PARK (or manual
transmission is in gear). The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
Neutral — This range disengages both the front and
rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle page 173.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. It maximizes torque to the front
driveshaft, forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed. This range provides additional traction
and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
This transfer case is designed to be driven in the two-
wheel drive position (2H) or four-wheel drive position
(4H AUTO) for normal street and highway conditions on
dry hard surfaced roads. Driving the vehicle in 2H will
have greater fuel economy benefits as the front axle is
not engaged in 2H.
For variable driving conditions, the 4H AUTO mode can
be used. In this mode, the front axle is engaged, but the
vehicle's power is sent to the rear wheels. Four-wheel
drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction. Because the front axle is
engaged, this mode will result in lower fuel economy
than the 2H mode.
In the event that additional traction is required, the
transfer case 4H and 4L positions can be used to lock
the front and rear driveshafts together, forcing the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only and not intended for normal driving. Driv-
ing in the 4H and 4L positions on hard-surfaced roads
will cause increased tire wear and damage to the drive-
line components. For further information on shifting
into 4H or 4L page 138.
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.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed
will be approximately three times (four times for Rubi-
con 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.
Shifting Procedures
2H TO 4H AUTO OR 4H AUTO TO 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H AUTO can be made with
the vehicle stopped or in motion. The preferred shifting
speed would be 0 to 45 mph (72 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accel-
erator pedal after completing the shift. Do not acceler-
ate while shifting the transfer case. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.
2H/4H AUTO TO 4H PART TIME OR 4H PART
TIME TO 2H/4H AUTO
Shifting between 2H/4H AUTO to 4H PART TIME can be
made with the vehicle stopped or in motion. The pre-
ferred shifting speed would be 0 to 45 mph (72 km/h).
With the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will
engage/disengage faster if you momentarily release
the accelerator pedal after completing the shift. Do not
accelerate while shifting the transfer case. Apply a con-
stant force when shifting the transfer case lever.