Towing/transmission question (don't laugh please)

[Mr Miami]

I hope this doesn't show my ignorance for asking (although it's easy to do), but people here often talk about their transmission shifting between gears (7 to 6, 6 to 5, etc.) when towing, especially uphill or with heavier loads. Maybe I haven't read through whatever Jeep manual there is online, but how does anyone who is not manually shifting between the gears know what gear it is in? When I'm just driving down the highway, I have no idea what gear it is in. I assume 8th on flat roads.

My question, when letting the transmission shift itself, is there somewhere to see actually what gear it is in? Some screen somewhere? Is it there or should I turn my keys in and call it a day?

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[Zachanadandy]

In the menu you can select for the gear to be displayed next to the D on the dash.

 

[Labswine]

There's a setting you can set for the gear your in to be displayed in, under the speed. I set mine many years ago and forget how to do it. It will show 'D' 1, 2, 3, etc. It will also show 'M' 1, 2, 3, etc. if you flip the shift lever to manual mode. It's gotta be in the manual somewhere or you can do a search here for it. I think that's how I discovered it, by someone posting about it here.

 

[Stan H]

I hope this doesn't show my ignorance for asking (although it's easy to do), but people here often talk about their transmission shifting between gears (7 to 6, 6 to 5, etc.) when towing, especially uphill or with heavier loads. Maybe I haven't read through whatever Jeep manual there is online, but how does anyone who is not manually shifting between the gears know what gear it is in? When I'm just driving down the highway, I have no idea what gear it is in. I assume 8th on flat roads.

My question, when letting the transmission shift itself, is there somewhere to see actually what gear it is in? Some screen somewhere? Is it there or should I turn my keys in and call it a day?

A guy I go to church with was telling when He would climb this big hill He would shift in M to see what gear He was in. I chuckled then I set it for him.
With truck sitting and Key in the On position go to menu the scroll through setting you will see one that says current gear select that . It will then start showing what gear your in right beside the big D as your going down the road.

 

[Mr Miami]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I should have looked further myself but now I've got it. Thanks to all.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is it there or should I turn my keys in and call it a day?

Send both fobs to me, along with the signed title.

Just kidding - glad you got it resolved.
I am a nut for "information" when driving, so I love full instrumentation and always have. I even "count the shifts" on my automatic cars from the 70s and installed full gauges in my classics (factory options I added)

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I should have looked further myself but now I've got it. Thanks to all.

We will allow you to keep your keys.

 

[gatorboy]

Send both fobs to me, along with the signed title.

Just kidding - glad you got it resolved.
I am a nut for "information" when driving, so I love full instrumentation and always have. I even "count the shifts" on my automatic cars from the 70s and installed full gauges in my classics (factory options I added)

From the 70s as well. I agree, all about watching gauges. More gauges, please!

 

[WILDHOBO]

I hope this doesn't show my ignorance for asking (although it's easy to do), but people here often talk about their transmission shifting between gears (7 to 6, 6 to 5, etc.) when towing, especially uphill or with heavier loads. Maybe I haven't read through whatever Jeep manual there is online, but how does anyone who is not manually shifting between the gears know what gear it is in? When I'm just driving down the highway, I have no idea what gear it is in. I assume 8th on flat roads.

My question, when letting the transmission shift itself, is there somewhere to see actually what gear it is in? Some screen somewhere? Is it there or should I turn my keys in and call it a day?

Questions don’t ever show ignorance. The fear of asking them does. I didn’t know this until I found it somewhere.

 

[WILDHOBO]

From the 70s as well. I agree, all about watching gauges. More gauges, please!

That’s the only reason I occasionally think I should get a head unit that shows me the gauges. I have the 7”. But then I come to my senses and realize that 1-2k can be spent on other parts, or beer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

From the 70s as well. I agree, all about watching gauges. More gauges, please!

It's why I put an AMX cluster in my Javelin (added more gauges) and restored the gauges in the rally gauge set in my SX4 and made them all work like new again.
I wouldn't mind some sort of a gauge strip that was at the top of the dash right in front of the driver that displayed everything shown in the gauges in the off road pages.

 

[Josh00333]

We will allow you to keep your keys.

I think tribute is in order! A shrubbery, yes a shrubbery of about yeah height should do fine…

 

[Stan H]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I should have looked further myself but now I've got it. Thanks to all.

your welcome the only bad question is the one never ask.

 

[professorkx]

In the menu you can select for the gear to be displayed next to the D on the dash.

DO NOT MAKE THIS CHANGE as it will only result in being dissatisfied with your gear ratio while you watch the transmission shift while towing and result in spending money on a gear change.

sometimes ignorance is bliss…

 

[Zachanadandy]

DO NOT MAKE THIS CHANGE as it will only result in being dissatisfied with your gear ratio while you watch the transmission shift while towing and result in spending money on a gear change.

sometimes ignorance is bliss…

I want to know mostly for the "I never see 8th" guys. 4.10s and 37s for 30k+ miles and no desire to regear. See 8th often, but not obsessed with it like some get. Couldn't care less if I'm driving across the desert into a headwind and it stays in 7th for hours.

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