"Neutral" Button on 2012 4x4
 

What does it do? How does it work? From what I gathered in my owner's manual it places the transfer case in neutral (for recreational towing, I presume), but when I push it nothing happens.

Did you following this procedure?

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Shift automatic transmission into PARK.
Turn OFF the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
Press and hold the transfer case NEUTRAL button (located by the selector switch). The NEUTRAL indicator light will blink while the shift is in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light stays on, release the NEUTRAL button.
Start the engine.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
Repeat steps 9 and 10 with transmission in DRIVE.
Turn OFF the engine.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.

No, I did not. Didn't see those instructions in the manual anywhere, but now I know!! I can't really think of any circumstances beyond towing where that feature would be needed, but at least now I know how it works. Thanks.

This may or maynot be in your owners book, but worth reading if you plan to tow your vehicle behind motorhome.



RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)

Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)


Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle

Towing Condition Wheels OFF The Ground Two-Wheel Drive Models Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONE NOT ALLOWED See Instructions
Transmission in PARK
Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
Tow in forward direction

Dolly Tow Front NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OK



Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will result.

Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:

Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
Firmly set the parking brake. Place the transmission in PARK.
Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
Caution!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause severe transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid may leak from the transmission, causing damage to internal parts.




Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
Note: Both the manual shift and electronic shift transfer cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) for recreational towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into PARK for recreational towing. Refer to the following for the proper transfer case NEUTRAL (N) shifting procedure for your vehicle.

Caution!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational towing.
Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
Automatic transmissions must be placed in the PARK position for recreational towing.
Before recreational towing, perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to internal parts.
Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.




Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N) – Manual Shift Transfer Case (If Equipped)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.

Warning!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

Caution!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.


Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Turn OFF the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
Start the engine.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 with transmission in DRIVE.
Turn OFF the engine.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Caution!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine is OFF prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.


Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
Release the parking brake.


Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N) – Manual Shift Transfer Case (If Equipped)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage.

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
Note: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear clash.

Shift the transmission into PARK.
Release the brake pedal.
Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
Start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.


Shifting Into NEUTRAL – Electronic Shift Transfer Case (If Equipped)

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing:
Warning!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move, even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

Caution!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.


Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Shift automatic transmission into PARK.
Turn OFF the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
Press and hold the transfer case NEUTRAL button (located by the selector switch). The NEUTRAL indicator light will blink while the shift is in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light stays on, release the NEUTRAL button.
Start the engine.
Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
Repeat steps 9 and 10 with transmission in DRIVE.
Turn OFF the engine.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Caution!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in NEUTRAL and the engine running. With the transfer case in NEUTRAL, ensure that the engine is OFF prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.


Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
Release the parking brake.
Note:

The transfer case cannot be shifted into NEUTRAL from the 4WD AUTO (if equipped) position.
Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met prior to pressing the NEUTRAL button, and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met prior to pressing the NEUTRAL button or are no longer met during the shift, the NEUTRAL indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the NEUTRAL button is released.
The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
A flashing NEUTRAL indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.



Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL – Electronic Shift Transfer Case (If Equipped)

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage:
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
Press and hold the transfer case NEUTRAL button (located by the selector switch) until the NEUTRAL indicator light turns off.
After the NEUTRAL indicator light turns off, release the NEUTRAL button.
After the NEUTRAL button has been released, the transfer case will shift to the position indicated by the selector switch.
Note: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL, turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear clash.

Shift the transmission into PARK.
Release the brake pedal.
Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
Start the engine.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
Note:

Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met prior to pressing the transfer case NEUTRAL button and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met prior to pressing the NEUTRAL button, or are no longer met during the shift, the NEUTRAL indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the NEUTRAL button is released.
The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position for a transfer case shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
A flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.

Thanks for the info. I will likely never tow my truck behind anything so I'm guessing I'll probably never have a need for the neutral button.