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Better Jeep Fuel Efficiency With More Gears

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is using a 9 speed gearbox developed by the German transmission specialist ZF. The gearbox is also used by the Range Rover Evoque. The gearbox brings fuel efficiency to both models. This was originally published in the April 2014 issue of Drive Out Magazine

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is using a 9 speed gearbox developed by the German transmission specialist ZF. The gearbox is also used by the Range Rover Evoque. The gearbox brings fuel efficiency to both models.

What can 9 speeds do for mpg?

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is using a 9 speed gearbox developed by the German transmission specialist ZF. The gearbox is also used by the Range Rover Evoque. The gearbox brings fuel efficiency to both models.

• Who is using a 9-speed gearbox?
• Why would an SUV manufacturer choose a 9-speed gearbox?
• Drive train facts about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee
• Is the 9-speed gearbox for you?

Who is using a 9-speed gearbox?

There are two 2014 SUVs sporting a nine-speed gear box developed by the German transmission specialist ZF. The Jeep Cherokee is one, the Range Rover Evoque is the other.

Why would an SUV manufacturer choose a 9-speed gearbox?

Why would Range Rover and Chrysler be switching over to a nine-speed transmission? It is not too difficult to figure out once one has viewed ZF’s promotional video on the transmission.

If a gear box has a number of gears that are very close to one another, the engine will be more fuel-efficient when accelerating. ZF’s claim is that this fuel savings is up to 16% over the six-speed gearbox in the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Drive train facts about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee

The new Cherokee has both a two and a four wheel drive version. There is also a low range transmission option and a high range transmission option. And, just like on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, there is the Select-Terrain system (kinda like the Land Rover’s Terrain Response). This adapts the engine transmission and suspension to the different driving conditions.

Is the 9-speed gearbox for you?

If you are looking to add some fuel efficiency to your rig, perhaps you should consider getting a new gearbox installed. On the ZF website they list service centers where you can get a ZF transmission installed. They have service centers all over the globe. If ZF does not make a transmission for your application, a new gearbox with ratios that are closer would still offer you better fuel economy. Maybe not 16%, but better. You should consider checking out replacement Jeep transmissions at your local Jeep parts store.

CJ Bantam is an off road enthusiast who makes his living writing about Jeeps, trucks, SUVs and any off-road vehicles. He has been a mechanic and spent many years owning his own shop.
Google+. Publishers for which he has worked include 4WD.com, AutoAnything.com and SoCalTrucks.com.