2004 Jeep Wrangler Owner's Manual - Page 182

182 STARTING AND OPERATING Don't shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost. Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads because engine braking may cause skidding and loss of control. When driving on soft sand, reduce your tire pressure to 15 psi (103 kPa) minimum to allow greater tire surface area. You must return the tires to normal air pressure before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces. NOTE: Reduced tire pressures below 15 psi (103 kPa) may cause tire unseating and loss of air pressure. Hill Climbing Before climbing a steep hill, change transmission to a lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills. If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift to R (Reverse). Back up slowly down the hill allowing the compression braking of the engine and transmission to help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding the tires. WARNING! If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back carefully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never back down a hill in N (Neutral) or with the clutch pedal depressed, using only the brake. Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill, always drive straight up or down. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by turning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will provide fresh "bite" into the surface and will usually provide traction to complete the climb.