you are correct. When the transfwer case is in N the truck should not move.. The trans and clutch will engage and rotate but the power should not make it past th etransfer case.

 

you are correct. When the transfwer case is in N the truck should not move.. The trans and clutch will engage and rotate but the power should not make it past th etransfer case.

Thanks XL7, I was worried I might be right... I've reviewed the manual and I am doing everything right to engage it.

Drat. Oh well, it's the only thing that has gone wrong with the truck since I've owned it. Guess that's what the warranty is for.

 

I've only experimented with N-mode once, and despite trying to follow the instructions in the owner's handbook, I don't think I ever got it activated properly. I did get some flashing and beeping, but power was still distributed to the wheels. I also recall reading here on the forum about someone driving around in N-mode. So it seems that there's some specific tricks required in order to really have the transfer go into neutral. Would be nice to know those tricks, so that one can rest fully assured that the car really is in neutral if it ever needs to get towed....

 

I experimented once and couldn't get it in, but then did it by mistake once. it took me a good 10 minutes to figure out how to turn it off. When it is on you can lift the clutch in gear and you will not get any drive. Although i noticed a sound when i did thid that wasnt quite crunching but didn't sound right.

 

I got the Reverse problem, after going in N mode (just for knowing how is acting) i did not managed to move the car about 10-15 minutes: The switch in 4x4 high, beeps, errors, and th car was still. power did not make it it-s way to the wheels.
after 10 maibe 15 time of going from N to 4x4, cluch, brakes, etc, finally it has engaged in 4x4. I have still no explanation of it..

 

When I test drove my vehicle, someone left the switch in neutral. It drove, but I got blinked at mercelously from the dashboard. We pulled over and read the book. We switched back to 4H and all was well.

I don't remember if the 'N' was lit up on the dash, though. To get the thing into towing mode, you have to hold the selector switch to the far left until a little light comes on (about 5 seconds according to the manual). it is not enough just to switch to N.

 

when you say towing mode, do you mean towing behind a motorhome or for towing trailers?

 

when you say towing mode, do you mean towing behind a motorhome or for towing trailers?

It is for towing behind a motorhome or other vehicle. N mode disconnects the entire drivetrain, allowing you to tow it 'flat' - with all four wheels on the ground while not putting any wear and tear on the drive train and doesn't put non-driving mileage on the odometer.

It is a very handy thing to have if you do intend or have to tow it without the benefit of a trailer, and I'm surprised that not more small 4 wheel drives offer it.

Only today I saw a new model automatic Rav being towed in this way behind a Winnebago (which, incidentally, are quite rare things to see in Australia, unlike Ravs) and it made me wonder about the design of the transmission on those - in my experience (admittedly limited as I don't drive automatics so I may well be wrong on modern versions) it isn't usually a good idea to flat tow automatics for long distances as the transmission will be spinning without oil being supplied to it by the engine-powered transmission pump.

 

Charlesk- The manual recommends stopping every 200 miles, starting the GV, and allowing some oil to splash around in the transfer case and transmission.

 

Charlesk- The manual recommends stopping every 200 miles, starting the GV, and allowing some oil to splash around in the transfer case and transmission.

Thanks for that HeRoze. Strangely enough, my manual doesn't have that. Mine's a 2 litre manual 2006 model, perhaps things are different for that one?

Also, The GV went in for its 14,000 km service yesterday and I asked the service guy. I was doing it wrongly - I need to hold the dial in as far left as it will go for 20 seconds. The light blinks, and then goes solid and all is well. I felt like such an amateur!

 

Mine's an auto - so maybe that is why it needs to be ran every now and then when towed, as opposed to your manual...

 

Mine is an Auto 4x4 2litre. The reasons behind this switch on an auto should be (on top of towing) to allow you to rotate the prop-shaft and also probably rotate the engine (for timing chain changes etc) to facilitate maintenance work? My one doesn't appear to be functioning either and I'm about to try the 5 seconds hold on the switch in the N position, which is something I've not checked yet.

 

The ONLY reason there's a neutral position on a 4x4 transfer case is to permit "recreational towing", or flat towing behind an RV as has been described above.

If you want to rotate the engine for whatever reason, you can simply put the transmission in neutral, if you want to rotate the prop shaft, you can also put the transmission in neutral.

Flat towing a vehicle without a neutral position on the transfer case is generally NOT recommended unless you have some other form of drive shaft disconnect to prevent transmission (both manual & automatic) damage.

ALWAYS consult the owner's manual before towing a vehicle to avoid damage, some need to be towed front wheels up, some rear wheels up, and some can NOT be towed with either front or rear wheels on the ground. If there is any doubt I suggest you use a flatbed (or roll back/tilt tray, whatever it's called in your neck of the woods) wrecker.

 

Hello guys I have a question In my Suzuki Grand Vitara 2016 Can i drive my grand vitara on The "N" gear or not ? Please provide me with some good answers Does the N means 2WD or not ? And one last question My Grand vitara is 2.4L and it is making 160-180Km/L is it good or something is wrong with it ? Waiting for you reply Guys ❤ Thank you ☺

 

Maybe it's time to read your owner's manual.

N means Neutral - if you have engaged Neutral the vehicle cannot be driven, it will not move under it's own power.

160~180 km/l is absolutely fantastic, are you sure there isn't a typo there?

 

Thank you brother 😀

 

If anyone is still active on this thread I'm wondering after reading through this if anyone ever figured out the automatic Neutral button. Does it need to be held in for 5, or up to 20+ seconds in order for it to engage?
I'm looking at an 04 automatic XL-7 for a toad and by just pushing the N button it did not seem t engage. Flat towing is my main goal here so this is kind of an important feature to be working.
Any insight is appreciated.
Oh also if there is an issue has anyone felt thespian of the repair and would be willing to share? Haha!

 

If anyone is still active on this thread I'm wondering after reading through this if anyone ever figured out the automatic Neutral button.

This is not an XL-7 thread, and I don't know if an XL-7 has a neutral button, but a 3G Grand Vitara for certain doesn't, it has a knob that you turn. The instructions to get a Grand Vitara transfer case into neutral are in the owner's manual and they work just like it says in the owner's manual, at least mine does.

What you need to do, or, what I need you to do, is to decide which vehicle you're asking about - a Grand Vitara or an XL-7 - if it's an XL-7 you might want to start a new discussion in that section of the forum, if it's a Grand Vitara, well, what button are you asking about?