When and how do you put a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport into four-wheel drive?
we bought the car used without a manual so we don't know how to put the car into four wheel drive so we can drive on ice. Help?
When:
On loose gravel or snow or conditions that would make for poor traction.
Cherokees (aka "XJ's") only come with Command-Trac. This is a "part time" system, which means you use it only while conditions are poor, and turn it off when you don't need it. If you leave it engaged, your drive system and tires will wear and stress, due to the tires not all turning at the same speeds (front to rear and side to side around corners).
How:
At any legal speed (the manual's word's) pull up gently but firmly on the lever until it is in the 4 wheel HI position. I have found that it helps to be at least rolling a bit. At a standstill you will get some grinding. Your "part time" indicator will light up on the instrument cluster. (If it doesn't, either your 4wd isn't working, or the switch on the transfer case is NG.)
To disengage, simply push it back down into the 2 wheel high position. It may take a minute to disengage. If you DO drive it on dry pavement longer than you should have (by mistake) and it seems stuck (Jeep doesn't want to move forward, or doesn't want to get out of 4WD), then drive backward a few feet. This releases stress that built up, and it will come out of 4WD.
Be aware- Ice is the great equalizer. You may be able to GO better than the average bear, but you can't STOP any better.
I would buy an owner's manual from ebay. Mine didn't come with one either, and the manual was actually pretty informative.
Enjoy that Jeep! I love mine!
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Look down at the transmission shifter. There will be a handle to the left and a little below it. That is the transfer case shifter. You pull up on that to engage 4wd. You can be moving and engage 4wd high(up to 55 mph), but you need to be stopped or just slightly rolling(under 5 mph) to engage 4wd Low.
References :
I am sure your vehicle has multiple settings. One will be 4×4 and the others would be all time, or high 4×4 and so on what those other ones mean is all wheel drive mode at any speed, but be aware that it will cost you more in fuel to use that mode. You would also have a 2 wheel drive mode that will only run either your front or your back wheels only, on a jeep I would guess the two wheel mode will run the back wheels, is actually the most efficient way to move a vehicle. Anyways your low or 4×4 mode should only be used under 20km/h because 4×4 is never intended for any speed is only intended to go over hard terrain and it does it very, very slowly. There are various ways to set 4×4 mode on vehicles equipped one is at a stop placing the vehicle in neutral, hold the brake pedal and engaging the 4×4 mode. The other modes should engage at either at a stop or while moving, the computer takes care of the rest, but for 4×4 mode there are usually safety procedures for both you and the vehicle system so it will usually only engage while your vehicle is at a stop. A second way would be to do what I have mentioned, but you need to drive backwards until you hear the system engage, and then can drive forward. GOOD LUCK and don't forget to check and fill the transfer case with fluid once in a while.
References :
Jeeps come differently.
Some are 2Wheel Drive
Others are AWD, meaning All Wheel Drive — as in all the time, so you don't have to do anything
Still others are 4Wheel Drive, meaning that the rear wheels are always engaged, but you have the option of using the small lever, (the one closest to your right leg) to put it into
4-HI for driving at usual traffic speeds — just pull up on it, even when you're moving. You will find the Jeep is more "sure-footed" in slippery conditions.
OR 4-LOW you must be stopped. The lever will jog just a bit as you pull it up to the higher position. Caution, the gearing is very low and slow. This might be used for getting unstuck, or for a steep rocky trail road.
References :
use 4×4 high when on the highway in snow.but be careful that don't mean you can go as fast as you want Ive seen many a SUV in the ditch because they think 4 wheel is gonna save them.use 4×4 low for mud very deep snow and pulling a car out of the ditch etc..you cant go over 45mph with 4 low.to engage stop vehicle there should be a lever next to the shifter.pull lever out towards you and up should engage 4high one more slot puts tyranny in neutral.one more slot puts it in 4 low.just don't try to put 4×4 in gear unless you are stopped and in neutral or park.if you don't have a lever its probably two wheel or all wheel drive
References :
When:
On loose gravel or snow or conditions that would make for poor traction.
Cherokees (aka "XJ's") only come with Command-Trac. This is a "part time" system, which means you use it only while conditions are poor, and turn it off when you don't need it. If you leave it engaged, your drive system and tires will wear and stress, due to the tires not all turning at the same speeds (front to rear and side to side around corners).
How:
At any legal speed (the manual's word's) pull up gently but firmly on the lever until it is in the 4 wheel HI position. I have found that it helps to be at least rolling a bit. At a standstill you will get some grinding. Your "part time" indicator will light up on the instrument cluster. (If it doesn't, either your 4wd isn't working, or the switch on the transfer case is NG.)
To disengage, simply push it back down into the 2 wheel high position. It may take a minute to disengage. If you DO drive it on dry pavement longer than you should have (by mistake) and it seems stuck (Jeep doesn't want to move forward, or doesn't want to get out of 4WD), then drive backward a few feet. This releases stress that built up, and it will come out of 4WD.
Be aware- Ice is the great equalizer. You may be able to GO better than the average bear, but you can't STOP any better.
I would buy an owner's manual from ebay. Mine didn't come with one either, and the manual was actually pretty informative.
Enjoy that Jeep! I love mine!
References :
Own a '99 Cherokee Classic (same as Sport- just a different trim level). Good resource: "jeepcherokees" Yahoo Group:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/jeepcherokees/