If you’re a Jeep owner, you may have recently received a notification that the 4xe electric mode is temporarily unavailable. But what does that mean? And what should you do about it?
When the notification appears, it means that there is a problem with the battery pack or electric motor. It is mostly a warning that it is so cold and the jeep 4xe cannot operate on just batteries. Sometimes it is caused by using paddle shifters instead of the auto mode.
In this article, I’ll explain what’s going on and what steps you can take to get your Jeep 4xe backup and running
What does Jeep’s “4xe Electric Mode Temporarily Unavailable” Mean?
The Jeep 4xe electric mode is a feature that allows the vehicle to operate on battery power alone. In cold weather, this feature may be temporarily unavailable because the battery pack needs to be warmed up before it can provide enough power to run the electric motor.
Without the electric mode, the Jeep will still be able to run on gasoline power, but it will not be as efficient.
Causes of Jeep 4xe Electric Mode Being Temporarily Unavailable
The cold weather is not the only cause of the unavailable electric mode. Other causes include:
Sustained High-Speed Operation in Electronic Mode
Electric mode is not meant for sustained high-speed operation. Suppose you try to operate in electric mode at speeds above 40 mph for an extended period. In that case, the battery pack will eventually run out of power, and the electric mode will be unavailable.
Depleted Electric Range
The electric mode may be unavailable if you have been driving in electric mode for a long time and your battery pack is running low on power. In this case, you will need to recharge the battery pack before you can use electric mode again.
Driving Hard
As you drive, you may heavily press the accelerator, requesting power demand beyond electric drive train limits. In this case, you are driving hard and using a lot of energy, and the battery pack may need some time to recover.
Pressing the Paddle Shifters
If you press the paddle shifters instead of using the auto mode, this may also cause the electric mode to be unavailable. This is because when you use the paddle shifters, it engages the gasoline engine and uses more energy than what is available from the battery pack.
The Hood is Open
Yes, even having the hood open can cause the electric mode to be unavailable. This is because the battery pack needs to be at a certain temperature in order to function properly, and if the hood is open, it will not be able to maintain that temperature.
What Should You Do About It?
If you receive the notification that the Jeep’s electric mode is unavailable, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
- Drive for a Short Distance: A hybrid battery pack is made up of several smaller batteries. In order to function properly, these batteries need to be at a certain temperature. The best way to warm them up is by driving the Jeep for a short distance. This will allow the battery pack to generate enough heat to reach the proper operating temperature.
- Turn on the Seat Heaters Another way to generate heat is by turning on the seat heaters. This will help warm up the battery pack and make the electric mode available again.
- Use Paddle Shifters If you’re having trouble getting the electric mode to work, try using the paddle shifters. This will engage the gasoline engine and help to warm up the battery pack.
How Long Does It Take for the Electric Mode to Become Available Again?
The amount of time it takes for the electric mode to become available again depends on the reason why it was unavailable in the first place.
If the battery pack needs to be warmed up, it will usually only take a few minutes for the electric mode to become available again. However, if the battery pack is depleted, it will take longer to recharge before the electric mode is available again.
My Overall Thoughts
The Jeep’s electric mode may be temporarily unavailable for various reasons, but the most common reason is due to cold weather. If you receive the notification, you can do a few things to try and fix the problem.
Drive for a short distance, turn on the seat heaters, or use paddle shifters to engage the gasoline engine and help warm up the battery pack. I hope this article helped understand why the electric mode may be unavailable and what you can do to fix the problem.
