How to put jeep in 4 wheel drive?
The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator have the 2 Wheel Drive Part-time System. To put them into 4 Wheel Drive High you need to be drive around 7 – 30mph and pull down the lever from 2H to 4H. If you need to put them into 4 Wheel Drive Low you need to be Parked and then shift into Neutral.
Shifting into low-range four-wheel drive is a little more involved than shifting into high-range four-wheel drive. Drivers will need to shift the transmission into neutral to disconnect torque to allow the transfer case to shift gears.
Put your car in neutral and push the shifter lever up to “4H.” When you reach a low speed, quickly put your car in neutral. Then, push up on the transfer case shifter lever to shift from “4L,” back to “N,” and finally to “4H.” Push the lever back to “2H” while your car is still in neutral.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a vehicle system that powers the front and rear wheel axles at the same speed to help gain traction, according to Car and Driver. Drivers have to start a vehicle's 4WD system manually, but a vehicle's all-wheel drive (AWD) system is always on.
Overall, the main difference between 4x4 and AWD is that AWD systems are always active and automatically share torque among the axles when low-traction conditions are detected, while 4WD systems are part-time and need to be engaged by the driver via a lever or button in the co*ckpit.
Auto (Automatic)
When set to Auto 4WD, your vehicle will automatically switch from 2WD to 4WD when needed. In 2WD mode, the vehicle will send power to either the front or rear wheels. If the system detects road conditions that require 4WD, like a slick, treacherous slope, it'll shift automatically to 4WD.
A Full-Time 4x4 system operates by default in four-wheel drive and can travel safely and securely on all surfaces. The system uses either a clutch or a center differential to allow the front and rear driveshafts to turn at varying speeds.
You can use 4H when you are driving on the highway in snowy conditions, or when driving on a smoothly paved dirt road. It's smart to keep speeds under 55 mph if you have shifted into 4H. 4L for Slower Speeds. 4L is designed to give you more torque in those super difficult driving conditions.
In the context of 4×4 vehicles, 2H refers to a drivetrain mode that allows the vehicle to be driven in two-wheel drive. This means that power is only being sent to either the front or rear wheels of the vehicle, rather than all four wheels.
In some vehicles, you can “shift on the fly" from 2WD to 4WD and back, but with some you must stop first, or much damage can be done. Read the owner's manual for your vehicle.
What setting should my 4 wheel drive be on?
4H is your go-to setting for driving at normal speeds (30 to 50 MPH), but with additional traction. Use this setting when driving on hard-packed sand, ice or snow covered roads, and dirt roads.
You can move the control from 2H to 4A or 4H at a stop or while driving.
4H is the way to go for snowy, icy, muddy, or rocky surfaces, providing better traction and stability. It is also great for moderate off-road conditions with some obstacles or inclines. On the other hand, 4L is intended for extreme off-road conditions such as steep inclines, coarse terrain, and deep mud.
4L is best when you're on icy roads, climbing rocks, crossing water, or powering through deep mud. 4H is more commonly used than 4L, and this setting is beneficial because it allows you to drive up to 55 mph while transferring torque to all four wheels. This setting comes in handy when you need additional traction.
The 4-1-1 on Four-Wheel Drive
Four-wheel drive vehicles generally have three settings: 2H, 4L, and 4H. 2H is ideal for normal, everyday driving. Use 2H for dry, flat, paved roads. 4L is best suited for a time when you need maximum traction and power.
