One of the most lucrative Jeeps out there, the Liberty comes with an advanced four wheel drive system. Known as the ‘Command-Trac’ system, it allows drivers to engage in two wheel drive, as well as four wheel drive in low and high range.
Depending on the road conditions, the drivetrain can be changed into four-wheel drive for icy/slippery terrains, or into low/high range for bad roads.
However, for new Jeep owners, it often gets complicated to use the ‘Command-Trac’ system.
In this article, you’ll find how to put a Jeep Liberty in 4 wheel drive and why it’s so useful for drivers.
How Does a 4WD System Work?
Although the ‘Command-Trac’ system is limited to certain Jeep models, most 4WD systems across all carmakers work in the same way. In a 4WD vehicle, the engine is connected to the front and rear differentials via independent driveshafts.
For the front wheels, power is sent by means of a transfer case. It consists of a drive chain that propels the driveshaft on the front. The rear driveshaft is propelled directly from the transfer case.
Getting back to differentials, they’re responsible for controlling the amount of power sent to each wheel.
In simple words, the differentials adjust by sending maximum power to wheels that have more traction and vice-versa.
This is necessary so that the vehicle doesn’t lose control when crossing low-traction roads.
Engaging 4 Wheel Drive in a Jeep Liberty
You should engage the 4WD High Range (4H) mode in your Jeep Liberty at speeds lower than 50 miles per hour; if 4WD is engaged at high speeds, it could cause severe damage to the mechanical components inside.
For switching into 4WD Low Range (4L) mode, slow the vehicle down to 2-5 miles per hour. With that being said, here’s how to put a Jeep Liberty in 4 wheel drive –
1. Switch from 2WD to 4WD (4H) with the Command-Trac Shifter
In the Jeep Liberty, there are two 4H modes; full-time and part-time. The part-time mode should be used in low-traction terrains, and the full-time mode should be engaged if you’re running on paved roads.
You can switch to four wheel drive by pulling back the Command-Trac Shifter into either of the 4H modes. Let off the throttle when shifting so that it doesn’t stress the mechanical components.
2. Switching to 4WD Low Range (4L)
Once you’ve switched to four wheel drive, slow down the vehicle to about 2-3 miles per hour. First, you’ll have to shift your gear transmission to Neutral/N.
As the vehicle continues moving, use the Command-Trac shifter to engage from 4H into ‘N’, and then from ‘N’ into 4L. You can then shift your main gear from Neutral to Drive/D.
Keep in mind that driving with speeds above 25 miles per hour in 4L mode will cause damage to the transfer case.
Does 4 Wheel Drive System Increase the Overall Speed?
A 4-wheel drive system gives the vehicle extra road grip whenever it’s accelerating. The principle behind this was to prevent getting stuck in the mud or other terrains.
You might have seen 4-wheel drive systems in high-end sports cars and even supercars. The 4-wheel drive systems are used as an aid to increase performance. As the vehicle gets an extra road grip, it can accelerate quicker than a 2-wheel drive vehicle.
However, the top speed of a vehicle is unaffected whether it is used in 4WD or 2WD modes.
Benefits of a Four Wheel Drive System
If you’ve seen SUVs climbing over rocks and huge boulders, that’s four wheel drive in action. Four wheel drive systems offer extra traction and power so drivers can easily cross obstacles or climb steep hills.
It is extremely useful in dangerous driving conditions, such as rocks, ice, snow, and other low-traction terrains. As both axles are engaged in a 4WD system, all wheels are powered for increased traction and control.
How Often You Should Put Your Jeep Liberty in 4-Wheel Drive?
In order to retain the lifetime of your vehicle, you should drive your Jeep in 4WD at least once in a few months.
However, you should be careful and know the implications of both 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive.
Can I Leave My Jeep Liberty in 4-Wheel Drive?
If you’re driving over low traction terrains such as icy, wet, or slippery surfaces, you can leave the 4-wheel drive engaged on your Jeep. But once you’re driving on properly paved roads, disengage 4WD immediately.
This is good practice because as your tires have good road grip, the transfer case gears and chain can get in a bind. It usually happens when the vehicle is at high speed and steering.
Leaving 4-wheel drive engaged at all times will lead to overheating, wear, and eventually serious damages to the transfer case of your Jeep.
Jeep Liberty 4 Wheel Drive Issues and Possible Solutions
There are a few common issues faced by most Jeep Liberty owners. Fortunately, some of them are minor problems, and they have simple fixes.
Here are a couple of Jeep Liberty 4WD Problems and Solutions –
1. Rattling and Clunking Noises in Jeep Liberty when 4WD Is Engaged
Most 4WD vehicles come with a feature that enables their locking hubs to be engaged and disengaged automatically.
However, older Jeep Liberty models require a simple driving maneuver to manually engage the locking hubs.
Once you’re done driving in 4WD, you’ll have to drive your vehicle 15 ft. in reverse. Doing this engages the locking hubs, so the rattling and clunking noises will stop.
If the noise still persists, you should get your vehicle checked by a certified mechanic.
2. Jeep Liberty 4WD won’t Engage
The 4WD system not engaging is a frequently reported problem by Jeep Liberty owners. There are several reasons why this could happen.
If the shifter cable in your vehicle was installed backward, you’ll also feel a binding feeling from the steering wheel, i.e., it’ll be hard to turn. This could also lead to the 4WD system not engaging properly.
Another reason for the 4WD system not engaging could be if the 4WD switches and actuators in the transfer case get clogged up. As they are exposed to dust and dirt, you should thoroughly wash your vehicle after every off-roading trip.
Safety Tips to Follow After Putting Jeep Liberty in 4 Wheel Drive
There are a few safety tips that you should practice to prevent unwanted mishaps or even accidents. Some of them are:
- Although 4WD systems improve handling on low-traction terrains, avoid driving too fast on the road as it makes the vehicle more likely to flip over.
- If you drive on dry pavement with your Jeep Liberty in part-time 4WD too often, it could lead to serious damage to the differential gears, the front axles, or even the transfer case.
- Don’t shift back and forth between forward and reverse gears if you’re stuck somewhere. Instead, engage your Jeep Liberty’s 4-Hi mode and slowly inch your way out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is 4WD lock on Jeep Liberty?
In the Command-Trac’s ‘Lock’ mode, the front and rear driveshafts are locked together. This enables equal rotational speed for the front and back wheels, which is useful for slippery roads and terrains.
2. Do I use 4WD low or high in snow?
If your vehicle doesn’t come with an ‘Auto’ setting, 4WD high is what you should use for low-traction situations at relatively high speeds, such as on snowy paved roads, or a dirt road. For off-roading terrains such as deep sand and mud, you’ll have to use the 4WD low mode.
3. When should I put my Jeep in 4 wheel drive?
You can engage the four wheel drive system on your Jeep whenever you’re looking for extra traction, such as on off-road terrains or snowy/icy paved roads.
4. What does 2H and 4H mean on a Jeep?
Usually, most four wheel drive vehicles offer three modes; 2H, 4L and 4H. 2H is best suited for regular, day-to-day driving on paved roads. 4H is intended for driving over low-traction terrains at relatively higher speeds.
Lastly, 4L is needed for situations where you’ll need maximum power and traction, for example, deep sand/muddy terrains.
5. Can you use 4H on highway?
Yes, 4H can be used on highways. This means that the vehicle is operating in four wheel drive, which offers better traction and power. But it also leads to higher fuel consumption.
6. How do you turn off 4WD on Jeep Liberty?
If you want to engage into two wheel drive from 4WD, you’ll first have to slow down your vehicle to about 2-3 miles per hour. As the car is rolling, engage the transmission into ‘Neutral’ and use the Command-Trac shifter to engage 4WD-Low/4L.
Next, put your transmission into ‘Drive’ gear and engage to ‘2WD’ from 4WD-Low/4L with the Command-Trac shifter.
Final Thoughts
With all of that being said, you should now know how to put a Jeep Liberty in 4 wheel drive. Keep in mind that 4H/4WD High is intended for terrains that you can cross at a relatively higher speed, while 4L/4WD Low is best suited for low-traction terrains that you’ll have to cross slowly. Best of luck!