Recreational Towing - Four-Wheel Drive Models - Jeep GLADIATOR 2022 Owner's Manual

174 STARTING AND OPERATING
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NOTE:
The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral), auto-
matic transmission must be in PARK, and manual trans-
mission must be in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recre-
ational towing.
CAUTION!
•
DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON
the ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle
trailer).
•
Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to
the transfer case.
•
Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK
for recreational towing.
•
Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not
in Neutral) for recreational towing.
•
Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under "Shifting Into N (Neutral)" to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral).
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•
Towing this vehicle in violation of the previously
listed requirements can cause severe transmission
and/or transfer case damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•
Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
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.
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
(Continued)
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
CAUTION!
WARNING!
CAUTION!
4. Turn the engine off.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into DRIVE or REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on
manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission
in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine off.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual
transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer
case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF
before shifting the transmission into PARK.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suit-
able tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.