beautypg.com

Jeep 2004 Wrangler User Manual

Page 182

background image

Don’t shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.

Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.

When driving on soft sand, reduce your tire pressure to
15 psi (103 kPa) minimum to allow greater tire surface
area. You must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces.

NOTE:

Reduced tire pressures below 15 psi (103 kPa)

may cause tire unseating and loss of air pressure.

Hill Climbing

Before climbing a steep hill,

change transmission to a

lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use
first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.

If you stall or begin to lose headway

while climbing a

steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift
to R (Reverse). Back up slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine and transmission to

help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.

WARNING!

If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) or with the clutch
pedal depressed, using only the brake.

Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill, always
drive straight up or down.

If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will
provide fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.

182

STARTING AND OPERATING