How To Put Hummer In Neutral [Inc. H2 & H3]

The Hummer nameplate represents some of the most iconic vehicles in the U.S. automotive industry. Derived from the American army's High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (otherwise known as the M998 Humvee), the H1, H2, and H3 are very capable on-road and off-road machines.

 

Despite the Hummers' intimidating size and exterior design, these vehicles can be driven or flat-towed just like many other full-size trucks and SUVs in the General Motors stable.

 

To put the transmission into park, drive, or neutral, step on the brakes (automatic transmission or A/T) or clutch (manual transmission or M/T) before moving the shift lever. The transmission's neutral gear is useful for prolonged traffic stops or when you need to push or pull the vehicle over a short distance.

 

Long-distance flat-towing, on the other hand, requires you to shift the transfer case to neutral. In this setting, the transfer case disconnects the engine's power from the axles, even if you put the transmission into drive or reverse gear.

 

Putting the transfer case in neutral requires using the 4WD control buttons inside the vehicle. The steps are very similar for the Hummer H2 and H3, and these are discussed below.

According to Hummer's owners' manuals, vehicle owners must use the following steps to put the transfer case in neutral safely. Haphazardly shifting the transfer case to neutral can cause major damage to transfer case components, the transmission, and even to lives and property.

1. Set the parking brake properly.
2. Start the Hummer's engine.
3. Shift the Hummer's transmission to neutral.
4. Set the transfer case to Four Wheel High by pressing and releasing the 4H button.
5. Press both the 4H (extreme left) and Four Wheel Low Lock (4L Lock, extreme right) buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
6. If the buttons are pressed and held properly, the transfer case control's "N" indicator light will blink before remaining steadily lit. The transfer case should now be neutral.
7. Put the transmission in gear to test if the transfer case is indeed in neutral.
   • For A/T - Press on the brake pedal while shifting the transmission lever to reverse and to drive. If there are no problems, then you should not feel any backward or forward movement tendencies from the vehicle.
   • For M/T - press on the clutch and brake pedals and shift the transmission to first gear. Release the clutch and brake pedals gently to check for any vehicle movement. Again, the vehicle should be straining to move forward or backward at all.
8. If step 7 is successful, then you can turn the engine off and shift the transmission lever to park  (A/T) or first gear (M/T).

How To Put Hummer H2 Transfer Case Out Of Neutral

To resume normal driving operation, you need to put your Hummer's transfer case out of neutral and back into one of its full-time 4WD modes. Here are the steps.

1. Set the parking brake and step on the brake pedal.
2. Shift the Hummer's transmission to neutral.
3. Turn the ignition to the "on" position, without starting the engine.
4. Press and release the button for your desired transfer case position.  Normally, you would want to select 4H if the Hummer is on level ground.
5. Start the Hummer's engine.
6. Shift the transmission to reverse or drive and gently release the brakes to check if the Hummer is back in normal driving operation.

How To Put Hummer H2 In Neutral With Dead Battery

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Is Hummer H2 Always 4 Wheel Drive?

All Hummers come with a full-time 4WD system, meaning all four wheels have power all the time. Here are the Hummers' 4WD transfer case operating modes.

• High (4H) - This mode is optimal for smooth or paved driving surfaces, but it can also be used in mild off-road situations.
• High Lock (4H Lock) - The High Lock mode works best for paved surfaces with low traction, such as muddy, snowy, icy, or sandy roads. Keep in mind, however, not to use 4H Lock as a substitute for the 4H mode to prevent excessive tire wear and drivetrain damage.
• Low (4L Lock) - The Low Lock mode is built for low-speed, low-traction surfaces. Some appropriate driving situations include climbing a boulder, moving through deep snow, fording deep water or mud, or even driving up a steep but low-traction slope.
• Rear Axle Lock - For H2 and H3 only - adds more traction to escape certain off-road situations (e.g. the vehicle is stuck in a muddy rut). Before locking the rear axle, the transfer case must be in 4L Lock.
• Front Axle Lock - For H3 only - gives the Hummer H3 even more off-road traction than if only the rear axles were locked. You may lock the front axle only if:
  • The transfer case is already in 4L Lock mode
  • The rear axle is already locked
• Neutral (N) - disconnects the transfer case; this mode is most useful for flat-towing.

Can A 2006 Hummer H3 Be Flat Towed?

Not all vehicles are capable of being flat towed (towed with all tires on the ground).  Generally, you can only flat tow vehicles that have:

• Manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive (RWD), or,
• A manual transfer case and four-wheel-drive (4WD)

Both the Hummer H2 and H3 have manual transfer cases and full-time 4WD, making them suitable for flat towing. You may flat tow or dinghy tow these vehicles on extended trips provided that you adhere to the following steps for safety.

How To Flat Tow A Hummer H3

Here are the steps to flat tow a Hummer H2 or H3:

1. Start the engine and maneuver the vehicle to align the Hummer's front end to the back of your tow vehicle, usually a recreational vehicle (RV).
2. Shift the Hummer's transmission to park (A/T) or 1st gear (M/T).
3. Step on the brake pedal and set the parking brake before turning the engine off. Set the ignition to the "On" or "Acc" position.
4. Attach the Hummer to the RV using the appropriate towing equipment.
5. After attaching the towing equipment securely, shift the Hummer's transfer case to neutral (N), as discussed in the previous section.
6. When you're ready to flat-tow, disengage the Hummer's parking brake and keep its ignition in the "Acc" or "On" position.