Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the automatic transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground, with the engine running. Firmly apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure the vehicle is set to Standard Ride Height.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transfer case into N (Neutral):
With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
With electronic shift transfer case, push and hold the transfer case N (Neutral) button. Some models have a small, recessed “N” button (at the center of the transfer case switches) that must be pushed using a ballpoint pen or similar object. Other models have a rectangular N (Neutral) switch, below the rotary transfer case control knob. The N (Neutral) indicator light will blink while the shift is in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to N (Neutral) is complete. After the shift is completed and the N (Neutral) light stays on, release the N (Neutral) button.
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
Repeat steps 6 and 7 with automatic transmission in DRIVE.
Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn off the engine. For vehicles with Keyless Enter ‘n Go™, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the engine shuts off.
Shift the transmission into PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the shifter will automatically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
Turn the ignition to the OFF mode, then cycle the ignition to the RUN mode and back to the OFF mode. Remove the key fob from the ignition.
Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
Release the parking brake.
With electronic shift transfer case:
Steps 2 through 3 are requirements that must be met before pushing the N (Neutral) button, and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met before pushing the N (Neutral) button or are no longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the N (Neutral) button is released.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, the engine should be started and left running for a minimum of 60 seconds (with all the doors closed) at least once every 24 hours. This process allows the air suspension to adjust the vehicle’s ride height to compensate for temperature effects.