2004 Jeep Wrangler Owner's Manual - Page 178

178 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! To use your brakes and decelerate more safely, follow these tips: WARNING! The weight and position of cargo and passengers can change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal injury, follow these guidelines: • • Do not "ride" the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal. This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage. When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission whenever possible. Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because engine braking may cause skidding and loss of control. Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up, which could cause rear wheels to spin and result in loss of vehicle control. Be especially careful while driving on slippery roads, in close-quarter maneuvering, parking or stopping. Remember, always engage 4-wheel drive when driving on slippery roads. Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and control. Under such conditions, engage 4-wheel drive. After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may become wet, resulting in poor performance and unpredictable braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermittent pedal action while driving at very slow speeds. • Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor, and locate heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible. • Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the vehicle to sway. • Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the seatback. This could impair visibility or become a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision. • The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and use seat belts. • On hardtop models, do not drive with the lift glass up. On fabric top models, do not drive with the rear window curtain up unless the side curtains are also open. This will prevent dangerous exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.