I think the power/comfort thing ended with the '90 models. The 4.0 H.O. came out in '91.

My '87 Pioneer has it, my '92 Laredo doesn't.

I just leave it in power on the '87. Shift points are too lazy and early on comfort for me.

 

Ok, let me explain my jeep, maybe that will explain why some of you guys have it and some dont? I have a 96 (I think) 4.0l auto, hight output (whatever that means) LIMITED (also...dont know what that means) cherokee, full colour bumper trim, elec everything, some guy suggested it might be a "facelift"? (again........huh???)

 

there is NO power/comfort selection on a united states american cherokee produced in the year 1996.

that switch either is in a bezel from an older cherokee, installed to do something else entirely, or it is there to look like you have a switch that does something it doesn't.


there is no room for contradicting that...that is FACT for US cherokees 1991 and newer.

I have heard of a few 91's from canada with a power/comfort switch, so perhaps the canadian 96 model had that switch. I do not know.

either way, figure out what the heck it's for by popping your dash bezel apart and looking @ the back of the switch. if the switch is not a 3 pin single rocker switch, then it is not a power/trans switch. IIRC, a 96 should have the rear defrost switch in the location where your switch is.

 

my 91 Cherokee has the power/comfort switch

i never messed with it and left it on comfort, i'd say i get about 22-25 mpg on highway 20 mpg in the city

 

My 1991 has it as well. I've been leaving it on Power.

 

Isn't "comfort" in a jeep an oxymoron???

 

Hey now.... one of the reasons why I bought my jeep was for the comfort of the 87 limited seats... Even my slush bucket caddy didnt have seats this comfortable...

The power/comfort button is up to what the driver feels. If your towing or need the extra firmness of the shift (especially wheeling) then keep it in the power setting but you will notice Less mpg due to the higher shift points. The comfort setting basically softens shifts and shift points which depending on the state of your mounts (specifically Trans Mount) might be better. It also will let the Clutch plates slip a little while going into different gears. Power will add some stresses to componenants but comfort will allow more slippage in gear changes making it softer and less noticable in the shift as well as lowering the shift points.

 

I disagree with the "power gets worse gas mileage" theory.


rule of thumb....if you drive like you're 70, use the comfort mode, because you won't be putting pedal to the floor.

if you drive like me, then you're pedal to metal all the time...power is your choice for this, because it shifts at higher RPM's. this means that it gets you to speed economically, instead of ******* down like it does in the comfort mode.

...btw, my gas mileage with 4.10 gears, 33x10.50's, and power ON, was 19.5mpg combined mileage. with comfort, it was 16.2mpg combined.

think of it this way....lift a 5 speed xj with 3.07 gears 6.5", and put 33x10.50's on it. it will be a pooch. it will get TERRIBLE gas mileage (12-13mpg if that) because less torque makes it to the rear wheels.

less torque @ rear wheels means there is more strain on the motor, meaning it consumes more fuel. same theory as putting it in power....it's just easier for the engine to get you up to speed.

 

it was in 87-91 xjs with the aw4

all 92+ xj's are just in "power" mode all the time.

i played with that switch once in the life of my jeep then left it on power for the next 3 years

 

Correct 87-91 with the AW4 automatic.

In power mode the trans control unit changes the shift points to a higher engine rpm to use more of the top end horsepower for offroad and towing.

In comfort mode, it shifts at lower engine rpms to provide a smoother more comfortable transiton when it shifts.

 

My power/comfort switch wasn't working, turned out to be a fuse in the fuse block labled "trans". The backup lights weren't working as well.

 

Ok, this is now getting interesting.......Mine has a switch, No, it is not a retrofit, Yes it does work, it changes the gear ratio, No im not in the USA, so maybe mine isnt a 96? but when did crysler make the limited sport? How do I find out what year my model is? All I have is when it was 1st registered in this country, so it could have been on a showroom floor in another country for ages too ? Ill try post a pic of the switch, and my jeep, maybe someone can help identify it. Oh and its a RHD (if that helps)

 

Ha Ha! yes I totally agree with you...however....here in South Africa the petrol is nearly R8.00 per liter, and we all know how thirsty the 4.0 can be.....sooooooooooooooooooooo any fuel saving tips are most welcome hehe

 

wow a 96 with the power/comfort button i thought they got rid of those in 91 when they brought in the HO

anyway for stock XJs comfort is good for daily driving and it adjusts shifts to be more fuel efficient and power for higher revs/shifts when towing however when you add bigger tires and continue to run stock gears(3.55) it screws with the computer and causes the trans to upshift and downshift oddly so i just leave mine in power unless im on an FSR and doing slow speed in which case it seems to be fine

 

chero-newbie,

the only information I can give you about it is what I or others here in the states have experienced. that said, I doubt anyone here can tell you much more about why yours has a power/comfort switch.

it does not change the gear ratio, just the engine RPM at which the transmission shifts