The Jeep Wrangler is considered one of the most rugged off-road capable vehicles out there, and it is just as recognizable on the road as it is off. In order to maintain Jeep’s rugged off-road image, it comes with 4 wheel drive capabilities.
To put a Jeep Wrangler in 4 wheel drive you can shift from 2 wheel drive high to 4 wheel drive high while the vehicle is stopped or while driving under 45mph. To shift from 2 wheel drive high you will pull the lever slowly but firmly to 4 wheel drive high and it will engage.
You should not accelerate while shifting the lever from 2 wheel drive high to 4 wheel drive high, and 4 wheel drive will engage quicker if you let off the accelerator after shifting.
If you need to shift your Jeep Wrangler from 4 wheel drive high to 4 wheel drive low, you should either be stopped or rolling slowly (not more than 1-3mph). You will need to shift into neutral for an automatic transmission, or press in the clutch if your Jeep is a manual transmission.
Shift the lever to the 4 wheel drive low position, then put your Jeep back in drive or release the clutch if a manual transmission.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at Jeep’s 4 wheel drive systems along with the different terrain modes that are available on the Jeep Wrangler and other Jeep models.
The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator have the same drivetrain and 4 wheel drive capabilities. The 4 wheel drive options are listed on the shift lever and the dashboard as 4 wheel drive high (4H), 4 wheel drive low (4L), 2 wheel drive (2H), and neutral (N).
For daily driving under dry conditions, you will want to keep your Jeep in 2 wheel drive. For off-roading, snow, ice, or other conditions where traction may be an issue, you may want to shift into one of the 4 wheel drive modes.
Below is a video to review the process of shifting into 4 wheel drive in your Jeep Wrangler. Be sure to review your Jeep’s owner’s manual for additional information.
You can tell whether your Jeep is in 4 wheel drive by looking at the shift lever position or the dashboard display next to the tachometer. If you are in 4 wheel drive the light next to the 4H or 4L on the dashboard will be illuminated.
Under normal driving conditions, you should keep your Jeep in 2 wheel drive.
The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator’s 4 wheel drive system is a part-time 4 wheel drive that allows you to switch between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive on demand. The 4 wheel drive system should only be used off-road or when road conditions require it.
Overuse of the 4 wheel drive system can lead to binding which can overheat your engine and cause stress on the mechanical components.
Some Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators come with a 4 wheel drive high auto setting in addition to the regular 4 wheel drive setting. The 4 wheel drive auto setting keeps your Jeep in 2 wheel drive except when the vehicle senses a loss of traction.
Then, the Jeep will automatically engage 4 wheel drive high.
Full-time four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are similar in that the power of the system all four wheels at the same time and they can be used full time on all surfaces. These systems use a clutch or center differential that turns the front and rear driveshafts at varying speeds.
All-wheel drive is considered to be less capable in offroad settings as it doesn’t have the low range that is available in 4 wheel drive vehicles.
The Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass have automatic 4 wheel drive systems. These systems shift power to the rear wheels when the vehicles sense a loss of traction in the front. Under normal conditions, power goes through the front wheels.
You can use 4 wheel drive lock by pushing the 4WD Lock button by the steering wheel. You can also engage the 4 wheel drive lock by selecting one of the available terrain options: Snow, Sand, Mud, or Rock. The 4 wheel drive lock is advantageous in slippery conditions where you need more traction.
The Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass Trailhawk models include 4 wheel drive low as an option in their 4 wheel drive system. Four-wheel drive low improves performance offroading by providing as much torque as possible at low speed.
In order to engage 4 wheel drive low in the Trailhawk, you should be stopped, then push the button once and wait for it to engage before driving. The light will blink while engaging 4 wheel drive low then switch to on when it is active and you can begin driving.
The Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass have terrain settings that lock the 4 wheel drive for added traction and stability. The available terrain settings are snow, sand, mud, and rock. Each setting engages other features for safety so that you can get the most out of your Jeep.
The snow setting sets equal torque distribution to the front and rear wheels. To minimize wheel spin, it also sets your Jeep to start from second gear instead of first unless you are in 4 wheel drive low. The snow setting will increase traction on slippery roads.
The sand setting allows more wheelspin and raises the shift points of your Jeep. This setting is best for offroad driving and surfaces with little traction.
Mud and sand used to be a single setting on the older Jeeps terrain selections. The mud setting is similar to sand in that it allows more wheelspin to maximize traction. It is best for driving in mud or wet grass.
The rock setting is only available on the Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass Trailhawk models and is for use on high traction offroad surfaces. The “rock” setting can only be used when your Jeep is in 4 wheel drive low. This setting is for low-speed obstacles such as large rocks, deep ruts, etc.
If you have a Jeep that has full-time 4 wheel drive or all-wheel drive, these vehicles can be driven at any speed. This is because these systems are always active.
If you have a part-time 4 wheel drive system, your max speed will depend on which 4-wheel drive setting you are in. Four-wheel drive high does not have a maximum speed listed by Jeep, but it should only be used in challenging conditions where more traction is necessary.
With this in mind, it would be uncommon to use 4 wheel drive high above 55mph. 4-wheel drive low is designed for rugged terrains and low speeds. It should only be used up to 25mph. Anything over 25mph and you should switch to 4 wheel drive high.
Jeep’s are made for adventure and the great outdoors. One way to enjoy the great outdoors is camping. While the Jeep is fully capable of pulling a camper to your favorite campsite, you might wonder if you should use 4 wheel drive while towing.
You should use your Jeep’s 4 wheel drive system when towing exactly the same way as you would use it not towing. This means if you are driving in normal, dry conditions, 4 wheel drive is not necessary to tow.
However, if you are driving on a slick surface with low traction, you will want to engage the 4 wheel drive system the same as you would if you were not towing.
You might want to use 4 wheel drive if you are driving on steep inclines in the mountains. Additionally, you can use the 4 wheel drive low setting on descents to keep your Jeep going slowly. This prevents overheating the brakes.
Jeeps are capable of towing small trailers, travel trailers, and campers. The maximum towing capacity of Jeep Wranglers is 3500lbs. Any two-door Jeep Wrangler can tow up to 2000lbs, and four-door Jeep Wranglers have the maximum towing capacity of 3500lbs.
When you are offroading in your Jeep Wrangler, you might stumble across a water crossing. In a normal car, this might be a recipe for disaster, but the Jeep Wrangler has more ability in the water. The Jeep Wrangler can go into the water of up to 76cm which is just under 30 inches.
You should adjust your tire pressure in conjunction with using 4 wheel drive for offroading. In normal driving conditions on the road, your tires are likely set anywhere between 30-35psi.
The higher psi, the firmer the ride. When taking your Jeep offroading, you might want to lower your psi to make the ride more comfortable. The lower psi also provides your tires with a wider footprint for better traction.
You should not switch directly from 2 wheel drive high to 4 wheel drive low, or vice versa. You should go from 2 wheel drive high to 4 wheel drive high first, then move to 4 wheel drive low.
If you are in 4 wheel drive low, you will need to slow down, put your Jeep in neutral, and while still rolling first push the lever firmly back to 4 wheel drive high. Once you are back in 4 wheel drive high, put your Jeep back in gear and push the lever from 4 wheel drive high to 2 wheel drive high.
Shifting into and out of 4 wheel drive low as possible while completely stopped may be more difficult as the teeth may not properly line up while at standstill. That is why it is recommended to roll 1-3mph when shifting into and out of 2 wheel drive low.
Jeep has long been synonymous with offroading with its iconic 4 wheel drive drivetrain that can go straight off the showroom floor to rolling in the dirt.
The Jeep Wrangler provides an open-air experience to offroading that is unmatched. The Jeep Wrangler is just as capable on the road as it is offroad with an impressive array of settings and configurations to make your ride enjoyable.
Now you should be able to determine when and how to use your 4 wheel drive system for a comfortable, safe, and fun drive.
