What Does it Mean When Your Jeep Says Service Shifter?

Jeeps are some of the most popular cars out there, especially for avid off-roaders and adventurers. However, like any other type of car, jeeps do need their fair share of maintenance from time to time, so don’t panic if you suddenly notice that the service shifter light is on. If you are unsure of what it means, you have come to the right place!

The service shifter light simply means that a fault was detected within the Jeep’s system. An especially skilled Jeep owner might be able to determine what the problem is, but a service shifter light is most often indicative of a need to take the Jeep in to have it examined by a mechanic.

If your service shifter light is on, that most likely means you are overdue for a visit to the auto shop to have your vehicle examined. If you are concerned about what this might mean for you and your Jeep, just read on to learn what maintenance your Jeep might need and where you can get that done. Hopefully, the information you find here will put your mind at ease!

Service Shifter: What it Means

As mentioned before, the service shifter light coming on means you need to take your Jeep to a mechanic so they can correctly diagnose the problem and get it fixed. There are a few reasons that your service shifter light might have turned on. Here are a few of the most common ones!

As the name suggests, the service shifter light might indicate that you need to service your Jeep’s shifter. This will need to be done every so often, so don’t be alarmed when the light comes on. When it does, just take it to the nearest shop and have the mechanic take a look at it. You can try to handle the problem yourself, but it’s always safer to get a professional’s opinion on the matter.

Your service shifter light might also be a sign that you should get your fuses fixed or at least checked. Additionally, the need to get your Jeep’s software updated is another very likely possibility. If this is the case, a mechanic will have to tap into the software and fix it up so that it runs more smoothly.

You should also keep in mind that there’s a possibility that the service shifter light could be faulty and there isn’t actually a problem with your vehicle. You should always take your Jeep to a mechanic just to make sure nothing serious is wrong. If the light simply needs to be fixed, that is something you can probably take care of on your own.

Getting it Fixed: Jeep Maintenance

Now that you know exactly why your service shifter light might be on, you probably want to know what you can do to get the problem resolved. As mentioned before, you should always start by taking your car to a repair shop just to make sure the problem isn’t one that you can’t fix yourself.

If the issue is with the shifter, software, or fuses, that is something that will undoubtedly need to be fixed by a professional. However, if there’s nothing wrong and the light simply needs a reset, there is something you can do about it. Sometimes the solution may be as simple as turning the engine off and back on for a moment.

If that doesn’t work, you can also try unplugging the battery and leaving it unplugged for ten minutes at the very least. Finally, try getting the oil changed.

This is a minor issue that could very well have triggered your service shifter light. If that doesn’t work, you might just have to take your Jeep back to the mechanic and have them reset the light for you.

If this continues to be an issue, you may need to take your car to a dealership and get any malfunctioning parts replaced. Do this quickly and before your warranty runs out. If you wait for too long, you might be left without a solution to this problem. You may want to have it towed to the dealership if you can.

Aside from the aforementioned issues, just make sure your car is getting the routine level of care that it needs. This includes changing the oil, topping off the fluids as often as needed, and rotating the tires as needed. The better care you take of your car, the less likely it is to have any issues (whether minor or serious) in the future.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Jeep

Whether you are a long-time Jeep owner or you’re looking to buy your first one, it is always a good idea to know the pros and cons that come with owning one of these vehicles. That way, if you decide you want to sell your Jeep and get a new car, you can do so with a clear conscience! Here are some important pros and cons to consider.

Pros

First of all, you have the Jeep’s snazzy design (any model!). They are extremely attractive vehicles that will catch the eye of anybody who walks past. If appearance and looks matter a great deal to you, a Jeep of any kind is probably one of the best choices you can make.

Additionally, Jeeps make great off-roading cars. They were designed with the outdoors specifically in mind. They are perfect for plowing through sand, snow, mud, and even climbing over rocks. You will not find a more reliable or sturdy car to use in dirty or mountainous conditions.

Cons

Most Jeeps, sadly, do not have a very good fuel economy. They are sturdy, 4WD vehicles that will eat up a lot of gas whether you go off-roading or not. And speaking of which, if you don’t go off-roading very often, you may want to consider a different car. Otherwise, you will likely end up spending a lot of unnecessary money on this car that you can’t even utilize to its full potential.

Additionally, though this is mostly a problem for Jeep wranglers, there is a lot of noise to be dealt with. Sometimes you won’t have a top on your car. While that might make you feel cool and confident, it will be loud and probably windy. Plus, the car itself is not very quiet so you will have to deal with that. Some may feel that it’s a small price to pay, but if you do not, you should probably opt for a different vehicle.