Questions on 2017 Wrangler Toad

[mrpardee]

I just upgraded to a 2017 Wrangler! The manual says to leave key in ACC position. What would the reason be and would it add miles to odometer while towing? I have the Mopar wiring harness and my Blue Ox baseplate will be here tomorrow

[RobbieH]

To leave the steering unlocked. I don't have a 2017, so I can only assume, but if you have a steering lock, that's why.

[rperrym]

That does sound strange for a jeep. Mine is a 2016 and I take the key out and lock it when towing. No steering wheel lock. In the storage compartment between the seats, there is a 12 volt outlet that is powered even when the key is off.

Rick

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by mrpardee

I just upgraded to a 2017 Wrangler! The manual says to leave key in ACC position. What would the reason be and would it add miles to odometer while towing? I have the Mopar wiring harness and my Blue Ox baseplate will be here tomorrow

mrpardee,
I can only access up to a 2016 owners manual on line and, for any of those, there's no need to leave the key in the "ACC" position. I could not gain access to a '17 version. Now, I highly suspect that, Jeep has not re-introduced a steering wheel lock in the '17 JK. Things change from time to time so, is it possible, well yeah, I guess but, based on history, for the past several years, the Jeep JK has no need for the key in the ACC position. In fact, many of us simply remove the key and lock the Jeep when towing it.
I'd like to see a page or so from that manual stating to leave that key in the ACC position. We have a '15 and, it's the same instructions for towing it as the '16, '14. '13 etc.
Scott

[mrpardee]

There is no key lock but my neighbor has '14 Rubicon and says his adds mileage while towing so he pulls battery cable. I was thinking that would be the reason to leave key on. I am installing harness and baseplate this weekend so I will experiment

[JMonroe]

Sounds to me as if they STILL haven't updated the owners manual.

They did away with the steering column lock sometime during the 2008 model year. We did have to leave a key in our '07, but no key in our '12.

To confirm, with the key in your pocket, can you turn the wheel? It won't be easy with the power steering off, but I'll bet you can.

Neither of our JKs added mileage while being towed.

[8.3Oilbuner]

Hi all; JMonroe is correct. During the 2008 model year, Jeep gave up the steering wheel lock. Had to do with having the chip in the key. On some Jeep forum sites, they have info to drill it down to almost the exact month of production that the lock was eliminated. I tow my 2011 with the key out of the ignition. Also my 2010 does not have a steering wheel lock. Just coasted them down the street with the key out of the Colum. Nothing locked up. My 1997 had the steering wheel lock. Had to turn it to the first position to unlock the wheel. No mileage was added to the OD. If the key is out, I would not be able to understand how any mileage could accumulate on the OD. Might have to experiment to se what happens. Good luck.

[TurnOne]

I'd bet a lot of money that the 17 is just like the 13-16. No key needed. Transfer case in Neutral, Park for Auto's and Any gear for manuals.
Now the manual being wrong is my most likely guess.

From 2014 Manual:
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE: The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL
(N), automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK,
and manual transmission must be placed in gear (NOT in
NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle, internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a dolly is used when recreational towing.
• 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.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL
(N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above 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 NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.

7. Shift the transmission into 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 and leave the ignition switch in
the unlocked ACC position.
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 transmission
is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine
is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected
to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
NOTE: When shifting the transfer case out of NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid
gear clash.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place
manual transmission in NEUTRAL.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake
pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions),
and check that the vehicle operates normally.

[stevemoores]

Originally Posted by TurnOne

10. Turn the engine OFF and leave the ignition switch in
the unlocked ACC position.

Seems odd that this is still in there.

I had a 2006 and had to leave the key in, I have a 2015 and believe I can leave the key out.

Steve

[Lt Dan]

Another non-key Jeep here. Our 2012 does not need the key to tow and it does not accumulate mileage when being towed, thank goodness!

[mrpardee]

Here is a pic of the manual. I will experiment this weekend

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by stevemoores

Seems odd that this is still in there.

I had a 2006 and had to leave the key in, I have a 2015 and believe I can leave the key out.

Steve

Yeah, If you look at line 10 in the instructions for the '14, (as shown above) it does say to shut the engine off and leave the key in the "Unlocked ACC position". But, if you look at line 10 in the '15 owners manual, all it says is: Shut off the engine. Then, look at line 10 in the '13 owners manual, all it says is: Turn the engine off.

So, between '13 and '15, they decided to add: ".... and leave the key in the unlocked ACC position for some odd reason.
Scott

[drewtk]

Originally Posted by mrpardee

Attachment 159027

Here is a pic of the manual. I will experiment this weekend

WEIRD. I have a 2017 Wrangler also and my manual does NOT have the line about ignition in ACC mode on that exact same page.

[mrpardee]

Originally Posted by drewtk

WEIRD. I have a 2017 Wrangler also and my manual does NOT have the line about ignition in ACC mode on that exact same page.

So do you tow with key out? Obviously I don't want to damage a brand new vehicle!