I was wondering how come when Im driving and the trans is in D, it will not let me downshift into 3rd while the car is moving. Is this a safety feature? Reason for asking, is if I ever go into the mountains, I dont want to be burning up my breaks. Id rather downshift and use some engine breaking.

 

Mine lets me. 99 xj 4.0 aw4 selec-trac

 

D or drive is 3rd, isn't it? OD is 4th and 1/2 is self explanatory. Those are the 3 forward gear positions.

 

Mine (1996) does allow me to shift from D to 3 "on the fly". When driving in hilly, rural areas where speed rarely exceeds 50mph, I use 3 so as to not be shifting into/out of OD constantly. Likewise, on the downhills, 3 helps keep speed down.

 

No. 1-2 is 1st and 2nd, 3 is 3rd, and D is 4th which is a .75 OD on later models and .70 OD on earlier models with the AW4.

1-2 stays in 1st until 4500rpm or so and then shifts, so I just use 1-2 for creeping.

 

Love that .70 od!

 

my 96 will shift on the fly. If I remember right, I have to squeeze the shift-lock button on my shifter. Maybe your shift-lock is no longer unlocking or not working properly? Have you checked the shifter linkages?

 

Just push the brakes slightly and it will unlock the shifter and allow you to shift to third. That is how mine works.

 

yeah maybe mine is the same. I think its the Torque convertor lock up... My shift lock button thingy works fine. Just not when Im moving.

 

I know they added more "safety" and electronical features/changes in the 97+, so maybe that's what it is - they added the brake to the shift-lock circuit? I've shifted mine going up hills without touching the brake, but mine's a 96 and I've haven't driven a 97+ enough to remember. i would think you should be able to downshift without stopping completely, so if that's the case it sounds wrong to me.

 

I have a 97 and just went and checked this!! I can shift from OD to 3 by just grabing shifter and pushing button on it and move it back one detent!

 

No, what? Doesn't it say OD (D inside an O) on the shifter? So 3 is the same as D (1.00 to 1)?

 

Think he means no. as in number... Edit. Never mind just re read it.