How to Put Your Jeep in 4-Wheel Drive

One of the best things about owning a Jeep is the capability, but if you are new to four-wheel drive it can be a little intimidating the first time you need it. The good news is that it is simple once you know the steps. Here is how to put your Jeep in four-wheel drive, what the different modes mean, and when to use each one.

Know your Jeep’s four-wheel-drive system first

Jeeps use a few different setups, so the exact steps depend on your model. The Wrangler and Gladiator use a part-time system with a shifter or dial for the transfer case. Many Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Compass models use a more automatic system, sometimes with a Selec-Terrain dial that you turn to match the conditions. If you are not sure which one you have, your owner’s manual spells it out, and our team at ALM CDJR Perry is glad to walk you through it.

What the modes mean: 2H, 4H, and 4L

Most part-time Jeep systems give you three or four positions:

2H (two-wheel-high)

Your everyday setting. Power goes to two wheels, and this is what you use on dry roads and highways for the best fuel economy and smooth driving.

4H (four-wheel-high)

The setting for slippery or loose conditions at normal speeds, like rain, mud, gravel, sand, or light snow. This is the mode most drivers reach for.

4L (four-wheel-low)

A low-range gear that multiplies torque for slow, tough going, like steep trails, deep mud, sand, or pulling through something difficult. It is for low speeds only, not the highway.

N (neutral)

A transfer-case neutral used mainly for flat-towing the Jeep behind an RV. It is not a driving mode.

How to shift into four-wheel drive

On a Wrangler or Gladiator with a transfer-case lever or dial, the steps are straightforward:

Shifting into 4H

You can usually shift from 2H to 4H while moving at a steady, moderate speed, often up to around 55 miles per hour. Ease off the gas, then move the lever or turn the dial to 4H in one smooth motion. On many newer Jeeps you can do this on the fly without stopping.

Shifting into 4L

Four-low needs you to nearly stop. Bring the Jeep to a roll of about 2 to 3 miles per hour, shift an automatic transmission into Neutral (or press the clutch on a manual), then move the lever or dial to 4L and shift back into Drive. If it does not go in right away, roll a few feet and try again, which helps the gears line up.

On an automatic or Selec-Terrain system

If your Jeep has a Selec-Terrain dial, you often just turn it to the setting that matches the conditions, such as Snow, Sand, Mud, or Rock, and the system does the rest. Some models stay in an automatic four-wheel-drive mode all the time.

When should you use four-wheel drive?

Around Perry and the back roads of Middle Georgia, four-high is the setting for rain, red-clay roads, gravel, and light snow when you head north. Save four-low for the slow, heavy-duty situations like a steep muddy trail or pulling out of deep sand. For normal dry-road driving, stay in two-high.

One important rule: no 4H or 4L on dry pavement

On a part-time system like the Wrangler’s, do not drive in 4H or 4L on dry, high-traction pavement. Because the front and rear axles are locked together, the drivetrain binds in turns, which you can feel as hopping or chirping and which puts stress on the parts. Use four-wheel drive on loose or slippery surfaces, and shift back to 2H once you are on dry roads. If your Jeep has a full-time or automatic four-wheel-drive mode, it is designed to be left on, so check your manual.

Questions about your Jeep? We are here to help

If you want a hands-on walkthrough of your Jeep’s four-wheel-drive system, stop by ALM CDJR Perry in Perry, GA and we will show you. Shopping for a capable one? Take a look at the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, or contact our team with any questions. Our service department can also check your transfer case and four-wheel-drive system if something does not feel right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you put a Jeep in four-wheel drive?

On a Wrangler or Gladiator, you move the transfer-case lever or dial from 2H to 4H, which you can usually do while rolling at a moderate speed. For four-low, slow to about 2 to 3 miles per hour, shift to Neutral, move the lever to 4L, then shift back to Drive. On a Selec-Terrain system you turn the dial to match the conditions.

What is the difference between 4 high and 4 low?

Four-high (4H) is for slippery or loose conditions at normal speeds, like rain, mud, gravel, and light snow. Four-low (4L) is a low-range gear that multiplies torque for slow, tough going like steep trails and deep sand, and it is for low speeds only, not the highway.

Can you shift a Jeep into four-wheel drive while driving?

You can usually shift from 2H to 4H while moving at a steady, moderate speed, often up to around 55 miles per hour, by easing off the gas and moving the lever in one motion. Shifting into 4L is different and requires slowing to a near stop and putting the transmission in Neutral first.

Is it bad to drive a Jeep in four-wheel drive on pavement?

On a part-time system like the Wrangler’s, yes. Driving in 4H or 4L on dry pavement makes the drivetrain bind in turns, which you feel as hopping and which stresses the parts. Use it only on loose or slippery surfaces and switch back to 2H on dry roads. Full-time or automatic systems are built to stay on, so check your manual.

Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee have automatic four-wheel drive?

Many Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer models use a more automatic four-wheel-drive system, often with a Selec-Terrain dial that you turn to match the conditions, and some stay in an automatic mode full time. The exact setup depends on the trim, so check your manual or ask our team.