Recreational towing
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
| Towing Condition | Wheels OFF The Ground | Two-Wheel Drive Models | Four-Wheel Drive Models |
| Flat Tow | NONE | NOT ALLOWED | See Instructions ● Transmission in PARK ● Transfer case in N (Neutral) ● Tow in forward direction |
| Dolly Tow | Front | NOT ALLOWED | NOT ALLOWED |
| Dolly Tow | Rear | OK | NOT ALLOWED |
| On Trailer | ALL | OK | OK |
NOTE:
● When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
RECREATIONAL TOWING — TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place automatic transmission in PARK.
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
5. Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key fob.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
● Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause severe transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
● Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid may leak from the transmission, causing damage to internal parts.
RECREATIONAL TOWING — FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NOTE:
The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral) for recreational towing. The transmission must be shifted into PARK for recreational towing. Refer to the following for the proper transfer case N (Neutral) shifting procedure for your vehicle.
CAUTION!
● DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
● Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
● Before recreational towing, the transfer case must be in N (Neutral). To be certain the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral), perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting Into N (Neutral)”. Internal transmission damage will result, if the transfer case is not in N (Neutral) during towing.
● The transmission must be placed in PARK for recreational towing.
● 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 disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to internal parts.
● Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
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 N (Neutral) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the automatic 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 N (Neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground, with the engine running. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the transfer case into N (Neutral):
○ Push and hold the transfer case N (Neutral) button. Some models have a small, recessed “N” button (at the center of the transfer case switches) that must be pushed using a ballpoint pen or similar object. Other models have a rectangular NEUTRAL switch, below the rotary transfer case control knob. The N (Neutral) indicator light will blink while the shift is in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to N (Neutral) is complete. After the shift is completed and the N (Neutral) light stays on, release the N (Neutral) button.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
7. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
8. Repeat steps six and seven with automatic transmission in DRIVE.
9. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn off the engine.
For vehicles with Keyless Enter ’n Go™, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the engine shuts off.
10. Shift the transmission into PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the gear selector will automatically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
11. Turn the ignition to the OFF position, then cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position and back to the OFF position. Remove the key fob from the ignition.
12. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
13. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:
With electronically shifted transfer case:
● Steps 2 through 4 are requirements that must be met before pushing the N (Neutral) button, and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met before pushing the N (Neutral) button or are no longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the N (Neutral) button is released.
● The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
● A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
Shifting Out Of N (Neutral)
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. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Start the engine. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
○ With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
○ With electronically shifted transfer case with rotary selector switch, push and hold the transfer case N (Neutral) button until the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off. After the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off, release the N (Neutral) button. After the N (Neutral) button has been released, the transfer case will shift to the position indicated by the selector switch.
○ With electronically shifted transfer case with push-button selector switch, push and hold the switch for the desired transfer case position, until the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off and the desired position indicator light turns on.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral), turning the engine off is not required, but may be helpful to avoid gear clash. With the 8-speed automatic transmission, the engine must remain running, since turning the engine off will shift the transmission to PARK (and the transmission must be in NEUTRAL for the transfer case to shift out of Neutral).
5. Turn the engine off. Shift automatic transmission into PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the gear selector will automatically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
6. Release the brake pedal.
7. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
8. Start the engine.
9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
NOTE:
With electronically shifted transfer case:
● Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be met before pushing the button to shift out of N (Neutral), and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met before pushing the button or are no longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the button is released.
● The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
● A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.