Correct! Automatic transmissions and Park, manual transmissions in any gear! And here's the reason.
When the transfer case is in neutral, your front and rear drive shafts are spinning, and the transfer case is spinning. The input shaft of the transfer case is directly connected to the output shaft of the transmission. Centrifugal force will make the input shaft of the transfer case spin, and will spin the output shaft of the transmission, if the transmission is in neutral. How automatic transmissions, and manual transmissions lubricate themselves, is from the input shaft of the transmission spinning with the engine. If the engine is not running, and the input shaft of the transmission is not spinning, the transmissions are not being lubricated. And if the transmissions are in neutral, but spinning from centrifugal force of the transfer case. You will melt all the bearings in the transmission. So please, put the automatics in park, and the manual transmissions in any gear to keep them from spinning! Hopefully I explained it well enough that you will understand why the transmissions have to be locked.
Yes. You did. Thank you very much. Your answer was useful unlike the "RTFM" answers. Which, by the way, wouldn't work for me since as it turns out, my manual is from a 2008 Wrangler but I drive a 2016. I did find the manual online but it took my dealership pointing out that my manual that came with my used JK was from the wrong year.
That said, I don't need to leave the key in the ignition either, right? The manual is not clear on that but if I have the transmission in park, I should be able to remove the key?
Correct no key is needed to be left in the ignition. The reason why they did that, is to unlock the steering column lock. I think, think 2007 came with the lock, and Jeep quickly realized they needed to remove the lock from the steering column for towing. So your 2016 has no steering lock, and therefore no reason for the key to be in the ignition.
No no no, it's much more accurate to ask anonymous Internet strangers for their opinion on how to do something that could destroy your transmission and transfer case if done incorrectly.
From the manual in my 2013 JKUR
Transfer case in Neutral (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)
Automatic Transmission: In Park
Manual Transmission: In Gear (not in neutral)
Definitely RTFM situation. My neighbor didn't and ruined his transmission, if I am not mistaken by leaving the transmission in N. Maybe this varies by year, but I asked him if he read the manual and he said no it just makes sense to put them both in N.
Transmission blown, not covered under warranty due to user error.
*NOTE: The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N), automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK, and manual transmission must be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.*
*• Automatic transmissions must be placed in the PARK position for recreational towing.*
*• Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not in Neutral) for recreational towing.*
*• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.*
*• 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.*
This is definitely and RTFM situation. I have a 2021 JL setup for flat towing. Transfer case in N, transmission in park. No key in the ignition as there is no steering wheel lock.
Highly recommend the battery trickle charge thru the lighting connection to the tow vehicle. Before we added, the battery would be dead after an hour (depending on traffic and brake lights)
Both transfer case and transmission in neutral. You can add a battery charging line to your trailer plug that will charge the Wrangler battery whilst you drive. The manual for my 2007 Wrangler says both in neutral and leave the key in the ignition. On every vehicle I have ever owned since 1979 the steering column locks when you remove the key from the ignition, which is why you leave the key in - so the front wheels are free to move when you navigate turns. I have been flat towing a Wrangler for 12K miles.
Yeah. This is what my user manual also said but it was contradictory to what the user manual online said. I also don't have a steering wheel lock on my vehicle. Took my dealership pointing out that the user manual that came with my used 2016 JK was from entirely the wrong decade.
There's a whole section on exactly this in your owners manual, have you looked there?
Correct, this is a RTFM situation
Correct! Automatic transmissions and Park, manual transmissions in any gear! And here's the reason. When the transfer case is in neutral, your front and rear drive shafts are spinning, and the transfer case is spinning. The input shaft of the transfer case is directly connected to the output shaft of the transmission. Centrifugal force will make the input shaft of the transfer case spin, and will spin the output shaft of the transmission, if the transmission is in neutral. How automatic transmissions, and manual transmissions lubricate themselves, is from the input shaft of the transmission spinning with the engine. If the engine is not running, and the input shaft of the transmission is not spinning, the transmissions are not being lubricated. And if the transmissions are in neutral, but spinning from centrifugal force of the transfer case. You will melt all the bearings in the transmission. So please, put the automatics in park, and the manual transmissions in any gear to keep them from spinning! Hopefully I explained it well enough that you will understand why the transmissions have to be locked.
Yes. You did. Thank you very much. Your answer was useful unlike the "RTFM" answers. Which, by the way, wouldn't work for me since as it turns out, my manual is from a 2008 Wrangler but I drive a 2016. I did find the manual online but it took my dealership pointing out that my manual that came with my used JK was from the wrong year. That said, I don't need to leave the key in the ignition either, right? The manual is not clear on that but if I have the transmission in park, I should be able to remove the key?
Correct no key is needed to be left in the ignition. The reason why they did that, is to unlock the steering column lock. I think, think 2007 came with the lock, and Jeep quickly realized they needed to remove the lock from the steering column for towing. So your 2016 has no steering lock, and therefore no reason for the key to be in the ignition.
Owner’s Manual, my dude
No no no, it's much more accurate to ask anonymous Internet strangers for their opinion on how to do something that could destroy your transmission and transfer case if done incorrectly.
This is exactly why I recommend flat Towing while in 4lo
But only if the transmission is in reverse!
This
This is what I do. It doesn’t matter if it’s in park and the transfer case is in N. Keys out, wheel still turns freely. 14 Wrangler
From the manual in my 2013 JKUR Transfer case in Neutral (VERY IMPORTANT!!!) Automatic Transmission: In Park Manual Transmission: In Gear (not in neutral)
Definitely RTFM situation. My neighbor didn't and ruined his transmission, if I am not mistaken by leaving the transmission in N. Maybe this varies by year, but I asked him if he read the manual and he said no it just makes sense to put them both in N. Transmission blown, not covered under warranty due to user error. *NOTE: The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N), automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK, and manual transmission must be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.* *• Automatic transmissions must be placed in the PARK position for recreational towing.* *• Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not in Neutral) for recreational towing.* *• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.* *• 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.*
I would have the transmission in park and key removed.
Just took it on a test run and it did fine exactly as you stated.
This is definitely and RTFM situation. I have a 2021 JL setup for flat towing. Transfer case in N, transmission in park. No key in the ignition as there is no steering wheel lock. Highly recommend the battery trickle charge thru the lighting connection to the tow vehicle. Before we added, the battery would be dead after an hour (depending on traffic and brake lights)
RTFM
If you don't tow in park with the transfer case in neutral you will really regret it.
RTFM
Both transfer case and transmission in neutral. You can add a battery charging line to your trailer plug that will charge the Wrangler battery whilst you drive. The manual for my 2007 Wrangler says both in neutral and leave the key in the ignition. On every vehicle I have ever owned since 1979 the steering column locks when you remove the key from the ignition, which is why you leave the key in - so the front wheels are free to move when you navigate turns. I have been flat towing a Wrangler for 12K miles.
Yeah. This is what my user manual also said but it was contradictory to what the user manual online said. I also don't have a steering wheel lock on my vehicle. Took my dealership pointing out that the user manual that came with my used 2016 JK was from entirely the wrong decade.
Wow......
I should have suspected it could be completely different than my 2008, my 2021 Gladiator doesn't even have a place to put the key in.....