Community Forums

IdahoSRT10 · 08-16-2014, 09:41 AM

Does this year auto.trans. Jeep have the steering wheel lock? Can it be towed 4 down without draining the battery? Can I just put the transfer case in neutral and tow 4 down?

Thanks

JMonroe · 08-16-2014, 09:51 AM

The Wrangler hasn't had a steering wheel lock since sometime in '08.

I believe there is a procedure outlined in the owner's manual for setting up the auto trans for towing. Yes, the transfer case in neutral would be part of I,t but as ours is a stick I can't vouch for any difference there might be for setting up an auto.

Medico · 08-16-2014, 11:31 AM

This is the procedure outlined in my Jeep's manual and the procedure I use.

Quote:

Flat Towing: Jeep Liberty
· Depress the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the engine shut off.
· Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
· Shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL by holding down the NEUTRAL PIN switch for 4 seconds until the LED starts to blink. The LED will stop blinking and remain on when the shift is complete.
· Start the engine and shift into DRIVE to ensure there is no vehicle movement.
· Shut the engine off and shift the transmission into PARK.
· Place the ignition switch to the OFF position and remove the key.
· Apply the parking brake, attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle with a tow bar and release the parking brake.
Switching Back to Road Gear: Jeep Liberty
· Apply the parking brake.
· Depress the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the engine shut off.
· Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
· Shift the transfer case into RUN by holding down the NEUTRAL PIN switch for 4 seconds until the LED goes off. The LED will remain off when the shift is complete.
· Start the engine and shift into DRIVE to ensure the vehicle will attempt to move.
· Shut the engine off and shift the transmission into PARK.
· Place the ignition switch to the OFF position and remove the key.
· Assure the parking brake is still applied. Remove the Tow Bar from the Jeep.

Any Jeep that has a Transfer Case that can be shifted to Neutral can be flat towed. As has been stated, the Steering Wheel Lock was removed approx. 2008.

ravens2012 · 08-16-2014, 11:39 AM

Yes the 2014 Wrangler can be towed 4 down with transmission in park and transfer case in neutral with no steering wheel lock.

IdahoSRT10 · 08-16-2014, 11:48 AM

Thanks for the responses! Very helpful.

I'm still searching it see if the ignition switch has to be ON as that will run the battery down. My Jeep Patriot tows without the key in the ignition.

gbburgess · 08-16-2014, 12:36 PM

On the 2013 wrangler unlimited the ingition switch is off - there is no column lock.

JMonroe · 08-16-2014, 01:09 PM

Ignition off, key in your pocket.

cj23andout · 08-16-2014, 01:25 PM

Transfer case in neutral

Transmission in Park

Key in pocket

The sequence in the owners manual (my 2013 but no changes to 2014) has some CYA stuff, like put it in drive and see if it moves when you give it gas, then put in reverse and see if it moves when you give it gas.

Jeep suggests you do all this before you hook up. That's fine and dandy until you miss by one inch and need to move the Jeep.

There are also a couple of steps for the parking brake on and off.

We hook up and do the push/pull test with the tow bars hooked up but disengaged. If no movement/push/pull, we lock the tow bar and do a test while the DW pulls forward in the MH. I then check for free wheeling and turn signals and brake lights.

Works for us.

Peterrrr · 08-17-2014, 06:09 AM

Idaho....You might want to check out this thread. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/towin...-207640-2.html

IdahoSRT10 · 08-17-2014, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterrrr

Idaho....You might want to check out this thread. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/towin...-207640-2.html

Pete...great link

Thank you.

HD4Mark · 08-17-2014, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

Pete...great link

Thank you.

Yes thank you. I C&Ped then printed the connect and disconnect instructions for use if we end up with the Wrangler we are looking at.

s2kdrifter · 08-18-2014, 08:48 PM

2014 JKUR auto. We keep the key with us. No problems!

Doc Hugh · 08-22-2014, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medico

This is the procedure outlined in my Jeep's manual and the procedure I use.

Any Jeep that has a Transfer Case that can be shifted to Neutral can be flat towed. As has been stated, the Steering Wheel Lock was removed approx. 2008.

Agreed! The "key" is to follow the procedure as specified in the applicable Jeep Owner's Manual and you're good to go!

Quite straight forward.
BTW, the 2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition still has the steering wheel lock and requires the key in the ignition set to the "unlocked off" position to tow all 4 down. :( Don't ask how I know! Looking forward to my next Jeep...