What does this button on the shifter do???

There is button on the side of the shifter knob. Normally they are to allow shifting, but the XJ has a switch on the brakes that won't let you shift w/o the brake on. So what is the button for?! I don't need to push it to shift Pto D or 3 or 1-2 So what is it? I hear people talking about locking the trans. after it downshifts on a hill. IS this button what "locks" the gear in, or am I asling a really dumb question? Is the button just to look cool?

If the button is where your thumb can press it while driving, it is for turning off the overdrive.

Yeah it's right where my thumb rests. So it's like a "passing mode" sorta? Can I use it in other gears?

Nope, it only disables overdrive. If you look at the instrument cluster when you push it, you'll see the message, "O/D off", which indicates you have gears 1-3. Push it again, the light will go off and if you're going fast enough it will shift back into 4th.

It's good if you're towing, or going up or down a big mountain.

You could also use it in 4lo if you needed some engine braking.

Thanks fred! Idon't think I have a O/D off light, but I can sure tell when OD kicks back in. It seems that i jump down to 3rd not 4th when I shift down on hills . Is that normal? Thanks alot bro!:smooch:

I'm assuming you've got the 4 speed automatic transmission and the 4.0 liter engine. If that's the case, then on the highway you'd be in 4th, and would drop to 3rd.


Most times you won't need to shift it at all.

Cool. thanks fred! This forum is great! It's like one big think tank. Jeepers are a breed all their own. These rigs go anywhere your balls can take you, for as pissy as they are sometimes. I guess that's why they say misery loves company (haha). Thanks agai fred and everyone else that has and will save the mechanics out there from answering thousands of OCD Jeep ?'s!!!:p