
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features & Controls 
Here  you  can  learn  about  the  many  standard  and  optional  featur\
es on your 
vehicle,  and  information  on  starting,  shifting,  and  braking.  Als\
o  explained  are 
the  instrument  panel  and  the warning  systems  that  tell you 
if everything is 
working  properly-and  what  to do if you  have  a  problem. 
For explanation of vehicle symbols, refer  to  “Vehicle Symbols” in 
Section 0. 
Keys ......................,.........................,...........~...........\
...............................,...........,. 2-3 
Your  Doors  and  How  They  Work 
............................................~.......................... \
2-5 
Side  Doors 
.............I............r............................ .................................... .... ......... 2-5 
Door  Locks 
........................................................................\
.................................. .- . , 2-6 
Theft 
........................................................................\
............................................... 2-8 
New  Vehicle  Break-In 
........................................................................\
............,...... 2-9 
Ignition  Switch 
........................................................................\
............................... 2-9 
Starting  Your Engine 
........................................................................\
................... 2-11 
Driving  Through  Deep  Standing  Water 
..................................................... .... 2-14 
Automatic  Transmission 
........................................................................\
.............. 2-1 6 
Five-Speed  Manual  Transmission ...................................................................... 2-1  9 
Locking  Rear 
Axle ...... 1 ........................................................................\
................ 2-21 
Parking  Brake 
........................................................................\
.............................. 2-21 
Parking  Over  Things  That  Burn 
........................................................................\
. 2-25 
- 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Theft 
Vehicle  theft is a big  business,  especially  in some  cities.  Although  your 
vehicle  has  a  number  of theft  deterrent  features,  we  know that  nothing  we 
put  on 
it can  make it impossible  to steal.  However,  there  are  ways  you  can 
help. 
Key  in  the  Ignition: 
If you  walk  away  from  your  vehicle  with  the  keys  inside, 
it’s  an  easy  target  for  joy  riders  or  professional  thieves-s\
o  don’t 
do it.  when^ 
you  park  your  vehicle  and  open  the  driver’s  door,  you’ll \
 hear  a  tone  reminding 
you  to remove  your  key  from  the  ignition  and  take  it with  you.  Always 
do 
this.  Your  steering  wheel  will  be  locked,  and so will  your  ignition. If you  have 
an  automatic  transmission,  taking  your  key  out  also  locks  your \
 transmission. 
And  remember  to lock  the  doors. 
Parking  at  Night:  Park  in a lighted  spot,  close  all windows  and  lock  your 
vehicle.  Remember  to keep  your  valuables  out  of  sight.  Put  them  in a  storage 
area,  or  take  them  with  you. 
Parking  Lots: 
If you  park  in a  lot  where  someone  will  be  watching  your 
vehicle,  it’s  best  to lock  it up  and  take  your  keys.  But  what 
if you  have  to 
leave  your  ignition  key?  What 
if you  have  to leave  somethina  valuable  in  vour 
vehicle? 
Put  your  valuables  in a  storage  area,  like  your  glove DOX. 
Lock  the  glove  box. 
Lock  all doors  except  the  driver’s. 
Then  take  the  door  key  with  you. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine .. ~ . 
.. .. 
Features & Contmls 
LOCK:  This  position  locks  your  ignition,  steering  wheel  and  tra\
nsmission.  It’s 
a theft  deterrent  feature. You will  only  be  able  to  remove  your  key  when  the 
ignition 
is turned  to  LOCK. 
Off: This  position  lets  you  turn off the  engine  but  still turn  the  steering  wheel 
like  LOCK.  Use  Off  if  you  must  have  your  vehicle  in motion  while  the  engine 
is 
off (for  example,  if  your  vehicle  is  being  pushed). 
Run: This  is  the  position  for  driving. 
Start: This  starts  your  engine. 
On  manual  transmission  vehicles,  turning  the  key  to 
“LOCK’ will lock 
vehicle. This coiu18d cause am collision. If you  need  to  turn the engiw 
off Mhile  the  vehicle  is  moving,  turn the  key only to “OW. Don’t 
mve  the  key  release  lever  while  the  vehicle  is  moving. 
- the  steering  column an’d result  in a loss of  ability  to  steer  the 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release  Lever 
The  ignition  key  cannot  be  removed  from  the  ignition of manual  transmission 
vehicles  unless  the  key  release  lever  is  used. 
To Remove  the Key 
Turn  the  key  to the  LO,CK  position  while  pressing  the  key  release  lever  down 
at  the  same  time.  Keeping  your  finger  on  the  lever,  pull  the \
 key  straight  out. 
On  automatic  transmission  vehicles,  turn  the  key  to  LOCK  and  p\
ull  it  straight 
out. 
To Starz Your 2.5 -Liter (VIN Code A) L4 Engine: 
1. Automatic  Transmission: 
Move  your  shift  lever  to 
P (Park)  or N (Neutral).  Your  engine  won't  start 
in  any  other  position-that's  a  safety  feature. 
To restart  when  you're 
already  moving,  use 
N (Neutral)  only. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine .. 
Features & Controls 
1 NOTICE 
Don’t try to shift  to P (Park) if your  vehicle is movi 
:auld dal  ae ? transrnissil SI ark‘ nE 
Manual  Transmission: 
Shift  your  gear  selector  to 
N (Neutral)  and  hold  the  clutch  pedal  to the 
floor  while  starting  the  engine.  Your vehicle  won’t start 
if the  clutch  pedal 
is not  all  the  way  down-that’s  a  safety  feature. 
other  vehicles  you  might  need  to 
do this,  but  because of  your vehicle’s 
computer  systems,  you  don’t. 
key.  The  idle  speed  will 
go down  as  your  engine  gets  warm. 
2. Don’t  push  the  accelerator  pedal  before  starting  your  engine.\
  In some 
- 
3. Turn  your  ignition  key  to Start.  When  the  engine  starts,  let go of the 
In  very  cold weather, 
do this: 
1. With  your  foot off the  accelerator  pedal,  turn your  ignition  key  to Start 
until  your  engine  begins  firing.  Push  down  on  the  accelerator  pedal 
slightly.  When  the  engine  picks  up  speed,  let  go  of  the  key. \
 Once  your 
engine  is running  smoothly,  let  up  on  the  accelerator  pedal. 
2. If it doesn’t  start  right  away,  push  the  accelerator  pedal  all the  way  to 
the  floor  and  hold  it there  as  you  hold  the  key  in 
Start for  about  three 
seconds. 
If the  vehicle  starts  briefly  but  then  stops  again, do the  same 
thing,  but  this  time  keep  the  pedal  down  until  your  engine  ru\
ns  smoothly. 
NOTICE b___ 
2-1 2 
t   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE 
I 
ever  nave  your venue loweu, see 11 
now IO do it without  damaging  your  v-’-’cle 
the  Index. 
To Start Your 2.8 Liter (W/V Code R) and 4.3 Liter 
(VlN Codes Z and W) V6 Engines: 
1. Automatic  Transmission: 
Move  your  shift  lever  to 
P (Park)  or N (Neutral).  Your engine  won’t  start 
in  any  other  position-that’s  a  safety  feature.  To restart  when  you’re 
already  moving,  use 
N (Neutral)  only. 
I NOTICE 
Manual  Transmission: 
Shift  your  gear  selector  to 
N (Neutral)  and  hold  the  clutch  pedal  to  the 
floor  while  starting  the  engine.  Your vehicle  won’t  start 
if the clutch  pedal 
is  not  all  the  way  down-that’s a  safety  feature. 
other  vehicles  you  might  need  to 
do this,  but  because  of your  vehicle’s 
computer  systems,  you  don’t. 
key.  The  idle  speed  will  go  down  as  your  engine  gets  warm. 
2. Don’t  push the accelerator  pedal  before  starting  your  engine.  In some 
3. Turn  your  ignition  key  to  Start.  When  the  engine  starts,  let  \
go  of the 
I 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I CAUTION 
I A It is.-dangerous to  get out of..your  vehicle if. tha..shift lever is not  fully 
in-P  (ParQ--wiih 
the parking brake fiim~ljj-set.  Yo’ur  vehiclle  ‘&n  roll. 
Doln’t leave your vehicle  when  the engine  is running  unless  you  have 
to. 
If you  have  left the  engine  running,  tihe  vehicle  can  move 
suddenly.  You  or  others  could- be  injured. 
To be sure  your  vehicle 
won’t move,  when  yolu’lre  on  fairly  level ground,  always  set your 
parking  brake  and move  the  shift  lever  to P (Park). 
Of you have  four-wheel  drive, your vehicle  will  be free to roll-even if 
your  shift  lever  is in P (Park)i-if your  transfer  case  i:s  iln ‘N (Neutral). 
So be  sure  the  transfer  case is in a  drive  gear-not  in N (Neutral)’. 
See “Shifting  into P (Par’k)’’ in  the Index. If you are ,parking  on  a  hill, 
or, if  you’re  p’ulling  a  traihr, also see “Parking on Hills” o:r  “Towilnlg  a 
Trailer”  in the  Index. 
R (Reverse).  Use  this  gear  to  back  up. 
To rock  your  vehicle  back  and  forth  to  get  out  of  snow,  ice  or \
 sand  without 
damaging  your  transmission,  see 
“If You’re  Stuck  in  Sand,  Mud,  Ice  or  Snow” 
in  the  Index. 
N (Neutral).  In  this  position,  your  engine  doesn’t  connect  wi\
th  the  wheels. 
To restart  when  you’re  already  moving,  use N (Neutral)  only. Also, use N 
(Neutral)  when  your  vehicle is being  towed. 
Shifting 
out of P (Park)  or N (Neutral)  While your  engine is “racing” 
a (iunning  aft  hligh  speed) is dangerous. ‘Unless your foot is  firmly  on 
the  brake  ped’al, 
your vehilcle  could  move  very  rapidly.  You co1wl;d lose 
(Neutral)  while  your  engine is racing. 
I contro’l and hit people  or objects.  Don’t  shift out ‘of P (Park)  or N 
2-1 7   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features & Controls 
I 
e 
OD (Automatic  Overdrive).  This  position is for  normal  driving. If you  need 
more  power  for  passing,  and  you’re: 
- Going  less  than  about 35 mph (56 km/h),  push  your  accelerator 
pedal  about  halfway  down. 
- Going  about 35 mph (56 km/h)  or more,  push  the  accelerator  all the 
way  down.  You’ll  shift  down to the  next  gear  and  have  more  power. 
OD should not be  used  when towing  a  trailer,  carrying  a  heavy  load, 
driving  on  steep  hills,  or  for  off-road  driving.  Select 
D (third  gear)  when 
operating  the  vehicle  under  any  of  these  conditions. 
D (Third  Gear).  This is  like OD, but  you  never  go  into  Overdrive.  You 
should  use 
D when  towing  a  trailer,  carrying  a  heavy  load,  driving  on 
steeps  hills,  or  for  off-road  driving. 
2 (Second  Gear).  This  position  gives  you  more  power  but  lower  \
fuel 
economy.  You  can  use 
2 (Second  Gear)  on  hills.  It  can  help  control  your 
speed  as  you  go  down  steep  mountain  roads,  but  then  you  would\
 
also 
want  to use  your  brakes  off  and  on. 
If you  have  a 4.3L engine  (Codes Z and W) and if you  manually  select 
2, the  transmission  will  drive  in second  gear.  You  may  use  this  feature 
for  reducing  torque 
to the  rear  wheels  when  you  are  trying to start  your 
vehicle  from  a  stop  on  slippery  road  surfaces. 
1 (First  Gear).  This  position  gives  you  even  more  power  (but  \
lower  fuel 
economy)  than 
2. You  can  use it on  very  steep  hills,  or in deep  snow or 
mud. If the  selector  lever  is put  in 1, the  transmission  won’t  shift  into 
first  gear  until  the  vehicle  is going  slowly  enough. 
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