Using 4Low, Locker, and offroad driving modes in 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite 4x4 

Thanks! After quite a few conversations i knew it was needed for sure!

Awesome news man! I hope you enjoy the journey! I love my Trailhawk!

Haha, yeah some dealerships are terrible with that, especially used. Glad you enjoyed it!

That is one of the reasons i didn't go for the full tech package. Road dirt, bugs, and mud can foul them up and prevent them from working right.

Considering the Compass doesn't have a low range...its only mildly helpful to understand sand/mud...which doesn't change any gear ratio. (Your 4wd Low is actually just a super low geared 1st gear that the car never uses until you press the button, and then you only have the single 20:1 gear, so likely 'rock mode' doesn't change the ratio any more than that, just a guess)

Yep, likewise sport mode is not available in Low. Glad you liked the vid!

Glad you found it helpful!

Glad you enjoy them! I'm kinda pumped to get some good videos this year!

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks man! Yeah, i've been trying to do this for a while, but it was usually while out on the trails. Turning the wheel won't help much if 4-Low won't disengage as you need to be in Neutral and moving under 3 mph to make the shift out of 4-Low, so chances of you still moving enough to get any effect would be pretty low. I've heard of some people having issues, the put it back in drive and move the gears around a bit then back into Neutral and try it again.

Its a process. I need to re-design my logo to better suit being a sticker. Its something i need to work on for sure!

@@FearlessTrailhawk oh heck yes, I'll be ordering one... I hope an option to go across the top of the windshield :)

@@FearlessTrailhawk you should have it be some bad ass hawk on a trail somehow

Thanks!

Thanks man!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Sounds about right for high-range. There was a good write-up on the cherokee forum from a guy who data logged the system through all the modes and conditions. I focused on the Low Range aspects for this video.

Haha, i always joke when i'm doing the driver meetings for the club rides when i ask if anyone has never used Low and is unsure of how to put their wranglers into low..."because i just push button, so you'll have to ask someone else...lol"

Glad i could help! Hope you had a good day!

@@FearlessTrailhawk I had a lot of fun! Badlands is a great off road park. One thing I did not consider (being new to all this) was tire pressure. My Trail Hawk has the Firestone Destination M/T 2 tires. What tire pressure is good for it on trails, hills, etc.? Thanks!

@@MikeSchmidt The MT or the AT? The AT were the stocks. I generally run between 15 and 18 psi. I wouldn't go much lower unless in the sand dunes.

@@FearlessTrailhawk They're the MT (I just checked again).

Yeah...thats not a grinding...that is traction control doing what traction control does. It seems the traction control is a bit more aggressive on the KL that other vehicles, but it isn't really anything to be surprised about.

I had to coach my brother on how to use his in his Xterra, apparently the first couple times he 'used' it, it never actually engaged because he never switched to neutral long enough for the gear change.

You don't HAVE to be moving, but it does help as lockers need some movement to engage/disengage.

Thanks man! Oddly, my first take at this i think was the better go, but i got back to the house to discover the one camera was completely washed out and you couldn't see anything. But i'm glad you liked it!

@@FearlessTrailhawk better than my iPhone vids on The Trailhawk Group.

Neutral for the transfer case for flat towing behind RV or something.

Yep, sometimes it goes right in/out the instant i hit the button, sometimes it doesn't until i run through the various 'tricks' to get it to work.

It is temperamental. I've never had to try 20 times, but rarely get it to engage on the 1st attempt

We had similar experiences with our 2017 Cherokee Trailhawk.

Yup. I cover that briefly in the video. The main difference with the Compass/Renegade is they don't actually have a true "4Low", they are just always locked into 1st gear while in their version of '4Low'.

To each his own. I fill up about every 4 days. I also always fill up right before i do any trails (like, as close to the trails as i can). I've gotten to use snow mode ONCE for 20 minutes, in the 3 years i've had it...blasted Ohio weather keeps cheaping out on the snowfall.

@@user-qo7qc5em5t Thats what happens when i go with the cheapest lift from a company known for poor quality. Simply put, they don't know what they are talking about, there is no difference in spacer lift fitment between KLs. And most spacer lifts for the KL do the same thing. Some are more sturdy than others is about the only difference. (Can see that visually when comparing between them) I can't think of any code the lift would cause, unless you are going 4" (which doesn't exist) then it will quickly cause issues the computer will start to see. My experience with lifts is at about 2.5"....i replace CVs atleast every 1.5 years.

Thank you sir! It caps out around 25-30 mph with our 9 speed gearbox. Only real restriction is don't use it on pavement as it will cause the drivetrain to bind up. There is no time limit, as it is just another set of gears that reduces the output speed from the transmission.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Ok cool that's what I figured for both of those. Appreciate your input. Mine is unfortunately currently in the shop for a few weeks.

Sand/mud works good any time you want to maintain wheel spin, the other modes don't allow the wheels to spin as much. With deep snow its similar, you want to keep your momentum. Snow mode was made for light snow on the road, to maintain traction and control.

Keep in mind, this video is mostly for 4Low, and Snow-mode as used in 4High is basically all you'll need. You should not need 4Low for daily snow driving. I made a video for the light bar a while ago. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--sZfTKiKX-E.html

@@tunedom6488 🤷 They seem to work when i use them. I'm not exactly sure what you are wanting? My non mechanic non expert advice is the same as any vehicle, turbo's just add complications and expenses, i avoid those whenever i can. But i'm just a guy who knows nothing about cars, i just drive them, when they don't work i pay a shop to find and fix the problem.

For the lift specifically, i didn't want just a puck lift, i wanted to get better suspension. Not much reason other than that, and we don't exactly have lots of options for mods.

Like stated in this vid....99% of the time its in 4-Low "Auto" for the duration of all trails. Only use any other specific modes for their prescribed use on the name-sake obstacles. (and even then sometimes i don't even take it out of auto) I see where you are coming from, but i'm sorry but i'm not about to start dictating my thoughts on my every move all the time i'm filming. That will just lead to me not feeling like filming, and or lead to MUCH longer videos as i would have to leave in the 'explanation' part of every obstacle in every video...no matter how repetitive because people are like that. And i'm sure i would lose some viewers if i started "and i'm switching to sand mode" "now i'm holding the throttle" "now i'm switching back to auto" every minute or so. I know i would get extremely tired of hearing the audible play by play of a system that is based on a common sense naming/function design. So i choose not to create something i personally would hate to watch. Heck, i already occasionally mention that the list of all my mods is in the description of each vid, and in some videos i even talk about specific mods, and list them in the description...yet still have people ask me questions that were covered atleast twice in the video plus in the description. And i simply have decided to not make every video ridiculously long just to cover everything in every video that i've already covered before.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Sounds like an electrical/computer issue, likely the only fix with be taking it to the dealership and replicate the situation for them. The light should not be flashing. It should 'ding' for the stability control the once when you first shift, then remain off until you shift back to high. It could also be an issue with a sensor somewhere. Curious if it giving any trouble codes, but i pay others to do all that thinking and work for me. Sorry.

Any time you do anything to suspension, it needs re-aligned. Any shop worth their salt should be able to align it after the lift. I've had to replace two rear CVs (same side, within 2 months), after the last two years they sound angry currently so will probably replace them again within a year or so.

@@FearlessTrailhawk at least the back ones are the cheaper ones lol Thanks for the info!

All my mods are listed in the description of each video...

There is not. You can use the "manual" mode and shift it into 1st, but that is only really acts like a 'suggestion' more than anything as the car will still shift if it thinks it needs to. My idea would be to try putting it in 2nd or 3rd gear to begin with, that way you won't lose power when it shifts. 1st gear doesn't have enough speed to climb big hills, that is why the car will try to shift.

Considering the point of this vid was to cover the modes used for Offroad...i wasn't much worried about "snow" mode, as it has little use offroad. Same with pavement and speed... But so far as i'm aware, you can switch between the high-range modes on the fly and it does not cause damage.

Look up Mid Ohio Jeepers Organization. (their website is linked in the description) They are an amazing club and overall very friendly to us oddballs. As to trails. I'll tell you the same thing i tell everyone else. Join a group that runs the trails you are interested in. Their trail leads know what is safe and legal, and what is not. I will never just give out an address to any trail that can easily land someone on private property with guns pointed at them. It is also just a good idea to always go with someone else who knows the trails anyways...following the key mantra of 'never wheel alone'. You never know what can happen. The badges are from Jeeps free App/program, Badge of Honor, where they have designated over 50 trails around the country, you go to the trail, check in, run the trail, request the badge. Sadly the nearest one to most of us in Ohio is like 4 hours. Lots of long hours driving and taking trips out west and northeast have gotten me those badges. Also, look up Ohio Valley Trailhawks on the facepages, its a group of Trailhawks from the tri-state area, and we use that page to try to coordinate meetups or rides. I also host newb/stock friendly rides a few times a year. I post those up on the various Trailhawk related facebook pages, and occasionally post on RU-vid.

You'll generally have many more negative reviews/posts than positive, since people are 1,000x more likely to go out and f their way to post 'this sucks' than they are to do the same if they have had no issues. Plenty of people have had zero issues I don't have any personal experience with the gen1s, so I can't speak to those. Like any car, you'll either have trouble, or you won't. Every brand has their 'monday' cars.... especially these days, stuff just have isnt built like it used to be. As for my experience, i sorta push the limits a bit so I'm not too shocked to have some issues. My problem is my issues generally pop up at the least convenient times.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Yeah. I LOVE the way the look. But even looking at Consumer Reports and stuff (normally legit reviews) there are tons of complaints about about the transmission and oil use. CarGuy 11 here on RU-vid owned his TH for 7 years and he apparently loved it but he also had some fairly serious issues - having the entire transmission replaced and he somehow got a lifetime drive train warranty. I am a teacher and cant afford to drop 16 or 17k on a vehicle just to have the transmission crap out on me with no warranty. So unfortunately, I might have to take a pass on it until the 2019 to 2021models get in my price range.

The oil issues were the turbo's. I personally haven't heard much actual transmission issues other than people complaining the throttle response is a little slower. Thats what the Mopar MaxCare warranty is for....i wouldn't get any modern vehicle without a warranty, too many complicated electronic systems that can go wrong.

V6. In general it only effects gas mileage and higher maintenance costs, thats probly why you haven't seen whether or not someone is the V6 or V4 on offroad oriented videos.

I was more focused on the modes that are used for offroading, and 4-Low pretty much already does a 50/50 power split. I thought about adding those bits from the "Jeep" info video, except a couple of the guys who have data logged these have debunked the power ratios, as pretty much every mode is about a 50/50 split, sport mode isn't even available in 4-Low anyways. And even when in high range Auto, the rear is engaged quite often...pretty much only disengaged once at cruising speed. I did talk about how sand/mud has traction control off which allows you to keep all the wheels spinning to throttle through whatever mud hole/slick hill.

@@FearlessTrailhawk no I know that's true. I'd like to see some of that data,.if you can remember where you learned that extra info from the data logs. That is really interesting to me . I know that 4 low does override the power split and I know sport isn't in 4 low . That was more general drive mode information . Did they reach out to jeep, to challenge their claims based on the date these guys found ? This is interesting

@@seanwatson3790 one guy was tyler foster, he posted his results on most of the KL related facebook groups and on the cherokee forums. No real reason to challenge Jeep on their claims, that was an old video and it overall was decent general information.

@@FearlessTrailhawk ohhhhh....... Still... Hard to trust anything that comes out of tyler's mouth.... Theyres a reason like everyone in the kl community can't stand that guy ....

@@seanwatson3790 He is very abrasive, yes, with very little tolerance for stupid people/comments. But when he shares the hard DATA from the actual programing, its hard to say that because he is a jerk that he has to be lying about data. Its not like he just simply 'said' his claims, he posted the actual data and screen caps from the program. Not many have logged that amount of time data-logging the KL's drivetrain.

The jeep is actually using the 4x4 a l9t more often than you think. Even in auto. It does not need to be in 4Low. Yes, if you select sand/mud while in high, it will act just the same as it would in 4Low...just using the high range gear set.

Oh ya stickers lol

The locker's only requirement is 4Low under 15 mph. (Covered in video?)

Ummm...cruise control? That isn't available in 4low. And it is not recomended to go over 25mph while in low, and cruise control won't even work under 25mph. The locker can only be engaged in 4Low. Have you tried making sure you are infact in 4Low? If you are infact in 4Low, try hitting the the "locker" while moving very slowly. If it doesn't disengage, try the tips i laid out in the video.

That is exactly what it is for. It toes take-offs in 2nd gear to lower slippage, and is super aggressive on the ABS and traction systems.

I've been told they don't need serviced or changed. But mine has developed a weep, so i just recently added more of the mopar fluid, because that was was intended.

Ummm, haven't tried it that way. And what would be that benefit? It only uses the brakes, and only works from 0.6mph to 5 mph...was your plan to use it to decent the mountains on the highway?

@@FearlessTrailhawk Mountain descents. I tried manual mode to hold gears, but that didn’t work. Thanks for the clarification.

Yeah, the manual mode, depending on the model year is more of a suggestion...lol. The gen2's will do pretty good holding gears down inclines. Thats what i do every time i'm going through the mountains. Helps save the brakes on those LONG hills...

A small memory stick with all my music on it.

When in 4Low it has a lot of torque with the low gears, so it will slowly try to crawl even when you have the brake pressed. If you are using one of the 'duck modes' (since they look like little ducks), it will slowly drive on its own. If you mean it moving while just idling, any vehicle does that while in Drive.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Ok that’s good to know. I put it in 4w Low for the first time going up a really steep hill, and I was a little worried that it was going on it’s own when I reached the peak (about 1-2 mph crawl)

Yes. 4Low is a requirement for Rock Mode.

I have no roof rack? I do have a 42" curved Rough Country lightbar...i posted a video on that a couple years ago...

That is the WK2 Grand Cherokee. This is the KL Cherokee.

Jeep "Badge if Honor" badges. They have a free app, you should check it out.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Thanks for the quick response. Great video

It is kinda like AWD while not in 4-Low. The system decides when it needs/doesn't need to use both front and rear, and engages the rear as it sees fit. You are essentially in 'on-demand 4-high' when NOT in 4-Low. Auto is essentially a traction control mode. It has nothing to do with which axles are engaged. Some of the modes tell it to keep the rear engaged and change the shift points a bit.

@@FearlessTrailhawk ok that’s what I was thinking I just hadn’t heard it specifically said anywhere

Only way to keep it in 2WD is to pull the F10(?) fuse. That disables the rear PTU

Not an offroad driving mode. It is for use in high range on tge road, sets full time 4wd and minimizes traction control while holding gears a bit longer to make it feel a bit peppier. I didn't cover it in this video because it is not involved in low range or offroading.

Yes, yes it is. 😁

Auto is just a traction control mode, the most generic mode, it is used in both 4High and 4Low. The Jeep has the rear axles engaged more often than it doesn't during normal driving.

The traction modes that operate in high range? Auto is just the normal daily use, Sport...a little peppier, Snow...for snow, and Sand/mud...for if you want to drive around on the beach or something. There is no 4-lock on the KL, its a front wheel biased 4WD system, and it actually spends more time than you'd think in 4WD....unless you pull the fuse for the rear.

@@FearlessTrailhawk yeah I have 2019. And I have the mud rock snow and sand. But when do I use the snow and all thoes modes? Like what ones can be used on the highway lol? And what can't?

Those are the modes that can be used in 4High. Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud. They are used for their namesake purposes. I have not tried sand/mud on the highway, but not sure why you would want to.

@@FearlessTrailhawk alright cool. I was just curious because new to the TH. Wanted to make sure I didn't fuck up anything lol. So it's ok to use 4 Lock on the highway? And the other modes for what they are used for correct? Your a lot of help man. Also I enjoy your content

@@SummitMachinists on the Cherojee there is no "4Lock"? So sounds like you have a compass or renegade? If so, that "4-lock" i beleive locks it in 4wd AND uses the ultra low geared 1st gear to simulate low range. But i don't have either of those so i'm not sure if thats the button you are referring to?

Don't? But if you must just go slow. Too many things can go wrong unless you are 1,000% certain of the water depth. You only have 19 inches of water forging stock.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Trust me I wouldn’t wanted to. I’m just preparing myself just in case I encounter with the situation. I live in Charlotte and Hurricane Ian is coming today. I’ll be out working and I don’t have any practice on using any of the gears on my Trailhawk. Should I use one of those, or just driving slow in auto?

@@victorvidal2498 drive in slow if you must, regular auto mode is fine.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Appreciate your advice man. 🤙🏼 I really enjoyed your videos.

Negative.

I only noticed it once, after a few good solid tries to make it up a very slick hill. Had it in sand mode and was using a lot of throttle. After i made it up the hill it went 'ding' and said 4 wheel drive temporarily unavailable. I parked it and turned it off to help the others make it up the hill. After a 10 minutes of turned off, it was just fine. Thats the only time i've had the 4wd give me any trouble that i can recall.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Thanks for the quick reply. It's happened to me a few times doing the same but in rock mode. After a cool off period it was also fine. Guess I just need to take it easier haha

Yeah, rock mode limits it to only 1st gear...which will heat things up pretty quickly if you are staying in that for prolonged periods.

For the beach...sand mode is probly better, you don't want to lose power to your wheels in beach sand...

@@FearlessTrailhawk thx

Has anyone experienced soft sand in the TH, I'm hitting the beach this weekend any advise would be great. I've heard 4lo auto

All my mods are listed in the description of each video. Mods: -Rocky Road Super Sliders (rock rails) -Dobinsons KL Trailhawk suspension lift, paired with partial Hazard Sky lift spacers to achieve 2.5" lift -32" Milestar Patagonia MTs (265/70/17) (had to trim front fenders and pinch welds) -40" Rough Country Curved LED DLR Light bar with Hazard Sky mounts -Rock Lights (LUX White) -4" Pod Lights (cheapo) -Midland MXT115 MicroMobile Radio

Actually had the first couple attenpts filmed months ago...

watched that comparison and it was not the best

I don't know about that...an outback would not make it down many of the trails i usually run...not without sustaining lits of damage.

Your Japanese Subaru has no transfer case , you don't have 4 wheel drive and AWD isn't 4 wheel drive no matter how much the salesman lied to you. I'll just say your full of shit and to keep your rice burner and stay away from jeeps they are not for everyone

Ummm, in the video i say it needs to be in neutral to switch to 4-Low, and the system infact won't even let you unless you are in neutral AND going less than 3 mph (you can be in neutral and rolling slowly still). Also, 99% the manual states locker can be engaged at any speed up to 15 mph, but i could be wrong. Again though, with the whole thing being electronically controlled, the system won't let you do it outside of pre-set safe parameters.

@@FearlessTrailhawk Sorry if I misunderstood in your video. I really like your offroading videos...that black bear pass one put my anxiety on high...those heights lol...here is the video I was talking about if you are interested. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LlQYtfQ0p2k.html

No worries, i figured you were just one of the many that don't actually watch something before commenting. (you'd be surprised at how many people do that) But yes, i've seen that video many times, and FYI, i think you may have misunderstood that video as well...it does not say any restrictions to engaging the locker other than you need to already be in 4-Low, and it is wrong about what 'modes' it is available in. The locker can be engaged in Auto, sand/mud, rock modes while in 4-Low. I know this as i usually leave it in Auto, and use the locker, heck this video, i was in Auto when i did the locker. That video used to be on Jeep Australia's page i think and linked on Jeeps website, not sure when it got removed, or why this particular dealership decided to save and re-post it.

Nope. Auto spends a fair amount of time 4wd. You can try to argue all you want, but there have been a couple guys who data-logged how the system actually worked and discovered that Auto typically only disengages the rear once up to speed, but will re-engage if you slow down or speed up drastically. Only way to make it front-wheel is to pull the F10? fuse. And yes, Sport is not for low range which is why i didn't cover it.

Ummm, in the video i say it needs to be in neutral to switch to 4-Low, and the system infact won't even let you unless you are in neutral AND going less than 3 mph (you can be in neutral and rolling slowly still). Also, 99% the manual states locker can be engaged at any speed up to 15 mph, but i could be wrong. Again though, with the whole thing being electronically controlled, the system won't let you do it outside of pre-set safe parameters. Besides, the locker needs SOME movement in order to engage/disengage.

🤦...if sport mode wasn't locked out while in 4Low. 🤷 Its even part of the title AND the thumbnail...this video is only about the modes and how they are used while in 4Low...offroad.