I am looking at a 2002 4*4 auto and want to be able to tow it 4 down. I can't find how to shift the transfer case to neutral in the owners manual. I used the search function on this forum and found one post about towing 4 down, but none of the answers gave the procedure for shifting to neutral. Hope someone can help. Thanks
HenryL
The manual only says you have to be less than 3 mph or so and the transmission in neutral to shift to 4LO. Below is the information from the manual.
You can choose among four driving settings:
AUTO 4WD (which i don't think you have, but will help others): This setting is ideal for use when road conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle's power is sent to the rear wheels. When the vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.
(2HI): This setting is used for driving in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best fuel economy.
(4HI): Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such a on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting also engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when there is snow drifts, but keep in mind that you will accelerate faster then stopping. So don't speed in snow or icy conditions.
(4LO): This setting also engages your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose 4LO if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
Caution: Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in Neutral.
NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle's transfer case to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.
ndicator lights in the switches show which setting your transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while the transfer case is being shifted. It will remain illuminated when the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting. If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
Shifting into 4HI or AUTO 4WD
Press and release the 4HI or AUTO 4WD switch. This can be done at any speed (except when shifting from 4LO), and the indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain illuminated when the shift is completed.
Shifting into 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at any speed (except when shifting from 4LO).
Shifting into 4LO
To shift to 4LO, the ignition must be in RUN and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for shifting into 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4LO switch. You must wait for the 4LO indicator light to stop flashing and remain illuminated before shifting your transmission in gear.
Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has stopped flashing could damage the transfer case. To help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit significant engagement noise and bump when shifting between 4LO and 4HI ranges or from NEUTRAL with the engine running. If the 4LO switch is pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4LO indicator light will flash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to 4HI mode.
Shifting Out of 4LO
To shift from 4LO to 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI your vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the ignition in RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI switch. You must wait for the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI indicator light to stop flashing and remain illuminated before shifting your transmission into gear.
Same notice as putting your 4WD in to 4LO. If the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI switch is pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI indicator light will flash for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL (N).
Shifting into NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL do the following:
Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
Set the parking brake.
Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
Shift the transfer case to 2HI.
Simultaneously press and hold the 2HI and 4LO buttons for 10 seconds. The red NEUTRAL light will come on when the transfer case shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second, or FIRST (1) for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.
Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P), or FIRST (1) for vehicles with a manual transmission.
Release the parking brake prior to towing.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.
Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off.
Press the button for the desired transfer case shift position (2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 4LO).
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL the red light will go out.
Release the parking brake.
You may start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case from possible damage and will only allow the transfer case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.
Also note with the transfer case you have with the three button without the Auto 4WD or AWD. Do not drive the Sonoma on dry pavement, only the AWD and Auto button can be used on dry pavement.
