Should I keep my KK in 4WD?

musclezmarinara · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:10 pm

AS most know we had some snow last night here in the north east.

In this type of condition would keeping in 4WD HI a bad thing?

Skis .. CHECK

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:24 pm

If you have the command trac tcase, i never have it in 4wd on a road like that. You just dont need it either. Select trac, you'll be fine.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 7:57 pm

I am very interested in what people think also, as this morning the road conditions in Philly looked very much like in the picture above. This morning I used my command trac 4-lock (hi) on the snow/ice-covered, unplowed side streets but switched to 2wd when I got to the wet slushy main roads, which had at least been salted. On a road like the one above, I would probably stay in 2wd unless it got snow-covered or icy. I have deep tread on my AT tires, so sloppy slush wouldn't be much more of a problem than wet roads at the speed I was driving (25-30 mph).

For the newbies: The problem people are alluding to is that if you use 4-lock with your Command Trac transfer case when you already have decent traction (like on dry pavement or on wet pavement with reasonable tires), you can stress out your t-case, especially when turning corners, and shorten its life. The fancier Selec-Trac transfer case avoids this issue by having its own internal differential, so the front and back drive shafts can turn at different speeds. With Selec-Trac, you can have 4wd on at all times if you want to (although your gas mileage might be lower).

Smetna · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:19 pm

If I can see the pavement, 4wd is off. If there's maybe an inch on the pavement, 4wd is off. More than an inch on the pavement, 4wd is on IF i have traction problems. For what you showed in your picture it should be off.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:49 pm

Running the treads you have, I'd stay in 2wd. Should it get a little slippery and you start sliding, the esp will correct you.

musclezmarinara · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:47 am

Thanks guys ! What would be best tire pressure on these bad boys keeping them at 35 LBS? I was having some traction issues but in 4WD this things a beast and a hell of a lot of fun !

TitanNine · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:59 pm **Posts:** 16

How can you tell if you have CommandTrac or SelectTrac? Do the KKs come with both??

On drier payment if I try to turn with the 4WD on, you can feel like the jeep isnt moving as freely. Moving straight there isn't much difference (resistance wise) if I'm in 2WD or 4WD.

One friend with a 07 Liberty told me to keep it in 2WD all the time, and shift to 4WD only when there is something on the ground that will cause you to loose traction.

I'm very impressed with the 4WD and how it handles in the snow. I tried to do donuts in a parking lot while in 4WD and I couldn't. in 2WD I was able to slip quite a bit, but nothing like my last car.

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:48 am

TitanNine wrote:

How can you tell if you have CommandTrac or SelectTrac? Do the KKs come with both??

On drier payment if I try to turn with the 4WD on, you can feel like the jeep isnt moving as freely. Moving straight there isn't much difference (resistance wise) if I'm in 2WD or 4WD.

One friend with a 07 Liberty told me to keep it in 2WD all the time, and shift to 4WD only when there is something on the ground that will cause you to loose traction.

I'm very impressed with the 4WD and how it handles in the snow. I tried to do donuts in a parking lot while in 4WD and I couldn't. in 2WD I was able to slip quite a bit, but nothing like my last car.

You have CommandTrac. With the CommandTrac you can't move very fast in 4WD.
CommandTrac Switch

If you have the SelecTrac you can drive normally in 4WD Auto and not have any issues.
SelecTrac switch

TitanNine · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:59 pm **Posts:** 16

Thanks for the Photos on the Command Trac and Select Trac! I'm sure I have Command-Trac and will verify in a few minutes.

Years ago I used to have a CJ-7 and I could shift both the transfer case and transmission into neutral. I noticed on the transfer case switch there is a Neutral Indicator (N) but I couldn't figure out how to. BTW the CJ-7 was so cold, I never drove it much in the winter, it was my summer car with the top off, so I never realized how well 4WD handles in the snow.

hrogi · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:05 pm

Just a note...

The N is Nuetral, you need to press that in with a Pen or something.
Use that when you want all 4 wheels to be in Nutral and disengage the tranny fully..
If I read the Manual right...

Like if you get towed or pulled by a motor home I think...

HDET · **Joined:** Mon May 09, 2011 5:19 pm **Posts:** 6

I almost always keep mine in 4wd.

While driving back home, I was the only one traveling on this highway for about 100km. No one can travel in these parts without a 4X4 and good set of winter or A/T tires. Traction control can only do so much.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:32 pm

HDET wrote:

I almost always keep mine in 4wd. While driving back home, I was the only one traveling on this highway for about 100km. No one can travel in these parts without a 4X4 and good set of winter or A/T tires.

What province are you in? (I assume you are in Canada as you used km instead of miles.) That's some pretty country, but very remote!

musclezmarinara · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:54 am

hrogi wrote:

Just a note...

The N is Nuetral, you need to press that in with a Pen or something.
Use that when you want all 4 wheels to be in Nutral and disengage the tranny fully..
If I read the Manual right...

Like if you get towed or pulled by a motor home I think...

Neutral is when you shift into 4WD LOW - and TMK to enable free rolling on the diff you put the car in neutral on the trans.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:10 pm

musclezmarinara wrote:

hrogi wrote:

Just a note...

The N is Nuetral, you need to press that in with a Pen or something.
Use that when you want all 4 wheels to be in Nutral and disengage the tranny fully..
If I read the Manual right...

Like if you get towed or pulled by a motor home I think...

Neutral is when you shift into 4WD LOW - and TMK to enable free rolling on the diff you put the car in neutral on the trans.

From the owners manual:

"Use the transfer case Neutral (N) position for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of Neutral (N)."

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)

Towing – 2WD Models:

Recreational towing is not allowed.

CAUTION!

Towing with the rear wheels on the ground can result
in severe transmission damage.

Towing — 4WD Models
The transfer case must be shifted into Neutral (N) for recreational towing. The Neutral (N) selection button is located at the top of the 4WD Control Switch. Shifts into and out of transfer case Neutral (N) can take place with the selector switch in any mode position.

CAUTION!
- The Automatic Transmission must be in “P” (Park) position for recreational towing. The Manual Transmission (if equipped) must be in gear (for example, 4th gear) for recreational towing. Failure to follow these procedures can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage.
- Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational towing.
- Before recreational towing, perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting into Neutral” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
- Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.

WARNING!
You or others could be injured 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 driveshaft and rear drive shaft from the powertrain and it will allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission position. The parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.

Shifting into Neutral (N)
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for recreational towing:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission to “N” (Neutral) (automatic transmission), or depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission).
6. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object to depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for 4 seconds. After the shift is complete, and the Neutral (N) light turns on, release the Neutral (N) button.
7. Start the engine.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into “R” (Reverse).
9. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the transmission in “D” (Drive) (automatic transmission) or 1st gear (manual transmission).
11. Shut OFF the engine.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift the transmission into “P” (Park) (automatic transmission), or shift into 4th gear (manual transmission).
14. Attach the vehicle to a tow vehicle with a tow bar.
15. Disconnect the battery negative cable.

NOTE:
² Steps 1 through 5 are requirements for shifting the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button or while the shift attempt is in process, then the Neutral (N) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the Neutral (N) button is released.

Should I keep my KK in 4WD?

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