Jeep Cherokee 2009 Operating Information Manual page 166

WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmis-
sion position. The parking brake should always
be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
Shifting into NEUTRAL
Perform the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (automatic
transmission), or depress the clutch pedal
(manual transmission).
6. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object to depress the recessed transfer case
NEUTRAL button for four seconds. After the shift
is complete, and the NEUTRAL light turns on,
release the NEUTRAL button.
7. Start the engine.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into REVERSE.
9. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and
ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the transmission in
DRIVE (automatic transmission) or 1st gear
(manual transmission).
11. Shut OFF the engine.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF
position.
13. Shift the transmission into PARK (automatic
transmission), or shift into 4th gear (manual trans-
mission).
14. Attach the vehicle to a tow vehicle with a tow bar.
15. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
NOTE:
• Steps 1 through 5 are requirements for shift-
ing the transfer case. If these requirements
are not met prior to depressing the NEU-
TRAL selection button or while the shift
attempt is in process, then the NEUTRAL
indicator light will flash continuously until
all requirements are met or until the NEU-
TRAL button is released.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON posi-
tion for a shift to take place and for the
position indicator lights to be operable. If
the ignition switch is not in the ON position,
the shift will not take place and no position
indicator lights will be on or flashing.
• Flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not
been met.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the
transmission is shifted into PARK with the trans-
fer case in NEUTRAL and the engine RUNNING.
With the transfer case in NEUTRAL, ensure that
the engine is OFF prior to shifting the transmis-
sion into PARK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
Perform the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Reconnect the battery negative cable.
3. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position
(if it has been moved or the engine has been
started).
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