
Features & Controls 
New Vehicle  “Bmak-Rn99 
1 NOTICE 
Jr modern  vehicle  doesn’t  need  an  elaborate  “break-in.”  But\
  it  will 
perform  better  in the  long  run 
if you  follow  these  guidelines: 
Keep  your  speed  at 55 mph (88 kmlh)  or  less  for  the  first 500 miles 
(804 km). 
Don’t  drive  at  any  one  speed-fast  or  slow-for  the  first 500 miles 
(804 km).  Don’t  make  full-throttle  starts. 
Avoid  making  hard  stops  for  the  first 200 miles (322 km)  or so. 
During  this  time  your  new  brake  linings  aren’t  yet  broken  in. Hard 
stops  with  new  linings  can  mean  premature  wear  and  earlier 
replacement.  Follow  this “breaking-in”  guideline  every  time  you  get 
new  brake  linings. 
If  you  have 
a 3500 HD  Model,  see  “Parking  Brake”  in  the  Index. 
Ignition  Switch 
Use  your  square  key to start  your  vehicle.  The  square  key  lets  you  turn  the 
ignition  switch 
to five  different  positions: 
6 1 
RUN 
KO404 
Acc (Accessory): Acc lets you use  things  like  the  radio  and  the  windshield 
wipers  when  the  engine 
is off. To get  into Acc, push  in  the  key  and  turn it 
toward  you.  Your steering  wheel  will  remain  locked,  just  as it was before  you 
inserted  the  key. 
2-1 0 
ProCarManuals.com 

2. Don’t  push  the  accelerator  pedal  before  starting  your  engine.\
 In some 
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. 
3. Turn  your  ignition  key  to Start. When  the  engine  starts,  let  go  of  the 
Holding  your  key  in 
Start for  longer  than 15 seconds  at a time  will  caus 
your  battery  to  be  drained  much  sooner.  And  the  :essive  heal 
m 
damage  your  starter  motor. 
4. 
5. 
If it  doesn’t  start  right  away,  hold  your  key  in Start. If  it  doesn’t  start  in 
three  seconds,  push  the  accelerator  pedal  about  one-quarter  of the  way 
down  for 
12 more  seconds,  or  until  it starts. 
If your  engine  still  won’t  start  (or  starts  but  then  stops), \
 it  could  be 
flooded  with  too  much  gasoline.  Try  this: 
Wait 
15 seconds  to  let  the  starter  motor  cool  down.  Then  push  your 
accelerator  pedal  all the  way  to  the  floor.  Hold  it  there.  Then,  hold  the 
key  in 
Start for  no  more  than  ten  seconds.  This  clears  the  extra 
gasoline  from  the  engine. 
If the  engine  still  doesn’t  start,  wait  another 15 seconds  and  do  it  all  again. 
When  the  engine  starts,  let  go  of  the  key  and  accelerator  ped\
al. 
Your  engine  is designed  to work  with  the  electronics  in your  vehicle. 
If you 
add  electrical  parts  or  accessories,  you  could  change  the  way  \
the  fuel 
injection  system  operates.  Before  adding  electrical  equipment,  ch\
eck  with 
-w dealer. If you  don’t,  your  engine  might  not  perform  properly 
If you  ever  have  to  have  your  vehicle  towed,  see  the  part  of  th\
is  Manua 
that  tells  how to do 
it wit‘--.Jt  damaging  your ?hide. See “Tc ‘ng Yo 
Vehicle’’  in the  lnde 
To Start Your 5.7 Liter  (Code K) engine 
or 7.4 Liter  (Code N) 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. 
2-1 3 
ProCarManuals.com 

Features & 
Don’t  try to shift  to P (Park) if your  vehicle  is moving. If you  do,  you 
could  damage  the  transmission.  Shift  to 
P (Park)  only  when  your  vehicle is 
stopped. 
m 
Manual  Transmission 
Shift  your  gear  selector  to 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. 
2. Don’t  push  the  accelerator  pedal  before  starting  your  engine.\
  In some 
other  vehicles  you  might  need 
to do  this,  but  because  of  your  vehicle’s 
computer  systems,  you  don’t. 
3. Turn  your  ignition  key  to Start. When  the  engine  starts, let go  of  the 
key.  The  idle  speed  will 
go down  as  your  engine  gets  warm. 
7.4L  Engine Cold Start: In  cold  weather,  below 60” F (16” C), start  the 
engine  the  same  way  but  push  the  accelerator  pedal  one-quarter \
 of  the 
way  down  and hold  it  there  for  about 
2 seconds  after  the  engine  starts. 
Holding  your  key 
in Start for  longer  than  15 seconds  at a time  will  cause 
vwr  battery 
to be drained  much  sooner.  And  the  excessive  heat  can 
,clmage  your  starter  motor. 
4. If it  doesn’t  start  right  away,  hold your  key  in Start. If it doesn’t  start  in 
three  seconds,  push  the  accelerator  pedal  about  one-quarter  of  \
the  way  down  for  12  more  seconds,  or  until  it starts. 
flooded  with 
too much  gasoline.  Try  this: 
5. If your  engine  still won’t  start (or starts  but  then  stops),  it  could  be 
Wait  15  seconds  to let  the  starter  motor  cool  down.  Then  push  your 
accelerator  pedal  all  the  way 
to the  floor.  Hold it there.  Then,  hold  the 
key  in 
Start for no more  than  ten  seconds.  This  clears  the  extra 
gasoline  from  the  engine. 
If the  engine  still  doesn’t  start,  wait  another  15 
seconds  and  do  Step  5  again. 
Hot  Engine  Restart,  5.7L  and  7.4L  Engines  (Vehicles  Over 8500 GVWR): If 
your  engine  is  already  hot  and  then  stalls,  turn  your  ignition\
  key to Off. Then, 
turn  your  key 
to Run, and wait  about  20  seconds  before  you  restart  your 
engine. 
2-1 
4 
ProCarManuals.com 

. If the  light.  doesn’t  go off, wait  a  few  seconds,  then  try staiting your  engine 
again.  And,  see  your  dealer 
as soon  as  you- can  for  a  starting  system  check. 
If the  light  comes  on  and  then  goes  out  and  you  know  your  batte\
ries  are 
charged,  but  your  engine  still  won’t  start,  your  vehicle  nee\
ds  service. 
If your  batteries  don’t  have  enough  .charge to start  ,your  engine,  see  “Battery” 
in  the  Index. 
Be  sure  you  have  the  right  oil  for  your  engine,  and that  you’ve  changed  the 
oil 
at the  proper  times. If you  use  the  wrong  oil,  your  engine  may  be harder 
to  start. 
If the  engine  starts,  runs  a short time,  then  stops,  your  vehicle needs  service. 
NOTICE 
Don’t use starting “aids” such as ether or gasoline, in the m~v intakc They 
could damage  your engine. 
..- - .- * K2214 
In very  cold  weather, 0°F (-18°C) or  colder, if you have  an  engine block 
heater, it can  help.  You’ll  get  easier  starting  and  better  fuel  economy  during 
engine  warm-up. 
2-1 9 
ProCarManuals.com 

Featums & Contmls 
R (Reverse) 
Use  this  gear  to  back  up. 
Shifting 
to R (Reverse)  while  your  vehicle  is moving  forward  could  damage 
your  transmission.  Shift 
to R (Reverse)  only  after  your  vehicle  is stopped. I 
b 
1 
damaging  your  transmission,  see “If Yo$re  Stuck:  In Sand,  Mud,  Ice or 
Snow” in the  Index. 
N (Neutral) 
In  this  position,  your  engine  doesn’t  connect  with  the  wheels. 
To restart  when 
you’re  already  moving,  use 
N (Neutral)  only. Also, use N (Neutral)  when  your 
vehicle  is  being  towed. 
CAUTION I 
Shifting  out  of P (Park) or N (Neutral)  while  your  engine  is “racing” 
(running  at  high  speed)  is  dangerous.  Unless  your  foot  is  fi\
rmly  on 
the  brake  pedal,  your  vehicle  could  move  very  rapidly.  You  cou\
ld  lose 
control  and  hit  people 
or objects.  Don’t  shift  out  of P (Park) or N 
wI ! your  enaine  is  racing. 
I 
NOTICE 
I 
1 
Damage to your  transmission  caused  by  shifting  out of P (Park) or N 
(Neutral)  with  the  engine  racing  isn’t  covered  by  your  war\
ranty. 
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 
- Going  about 35 mph (56 kmlh) or more,  push  the  accelerator all the 
pedal  about  halfway  down 
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. 
2-22 
ProCarManuals.com 

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  steep  hills,  or  for  off-road 
driving. 
2 (Second  Gear) 
This  position  gives  you  more  power  but  lower  fuel  economy.  You can  use 
2 
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  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  econo\
my)  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  vehic\
le  is 
going  slowly  enough. 
NWTIGE 
If your  rear  wheels  can’t  rotate,  don’t  try  to drive.  This  might  happen if 
you  were  stuck  in very  deep  sand or mud  or  were  up against  a. solid 
object.  You could  damage  your  transmission. 
AWZ , <,*,~l,<.,. ... 
Also, if you  stop  when  going  uphill,  don’t  hold  your  vehic  there with only  the 
accelerator  pedal. 
This could  overheat  and  damage ,the transmission. Use your 
brakes or shii into P (Park)  to hdd your  vehicle in position on a hill. 
.,$*’,,&:&> ._,, , . ~  ~ ,>&:a 
2-23 
ProCarManuals.com 

2 (Second  Gear)-Press the  clutch  pedal  as you  let  up  on  the 
accelerator  pedal and  shift  into 
2. Then,  slowly  let  up  on  the  clutch 
pedal  as  you  press  the  accelerator  pedal. 
3, 4 and 5 (Third,  Fourth  and  Fifth  Gears)-Shift into 3, 4 and 5 the 
same  way  you  do  for 
2. Slowly  let up  on the  clutch  pedal  as you  press 
the  accelerator  pedal. 
To Stop -Let  up  on  the  accelerator  pedal  and  press  the brake  pedal. Just 
before  the  vehicle  stops,  press the clutch  pedal  and  the  brake  pedal,  and 
shift  to Neutral. 
N (Neutral)-Use  this  position when  you  start  or  idle  your  engine, 
R (Reverse)-To  back  up, press  down  the  clutch  pedal  and  shift  into R. Let 
up  on  the  clutch  pedal  slowly  while  pressing  the  accelerator  p\
edal. 
Shift  to 
R (Reverse)  only  after  your  vehicle  is stopped.  Shifting to R 
(Reverse)  while  your  vehicle  is  moving  could damage  your  transmission 
Also, use  Reverse,  along  with  the  parking  brake, for parking  your  vehicle. 
FivemSpeed Manual  7Fansmission 
(With Low Gear) 
e 
K2464 
2-25 
ProCarManuals.com 

To Stop-Let  up  on  the  accelerator  pedal  and  press  the  brake  pedal\
.  Just 
before  the  vehicle  stops,  press the  clutch  pedal  and  the  brake  pedal,  and 
shift  to 
N (Neutral). 
N (Neutral)-Use  this  position  when  you  start  or  idle  your  engine. 
R (Reverse)-To back  up,  press  the clutch  pedal  and  shift  into R. Let up  on 
the  clutch  pedal  slowly  while  pressing  the  accelerator  pedal.  If  you shift  from 
OD into R, the  shift  lever  must  first  be  placed  in the N (Neutral)  position 
centered  between 
2 and 3 prior  to shifting  into R. 
NOTICE I 
Shift to R (Reverse)  only  after  your  vehicle  is stopped.  Shifting to R 
(Reverse) while vour vehicle is movina could damaae  vour  transmission. 
- - 
Also, use  Reverse,  along  with  the  parking  brake,  for  parking  your  ve\
hicle. 
Shift Light 
I K2317 
If you  have  a  manual  transmission,  you  may  have  a SHIFT light.  This  light 
will  show  you  when  to  shift  to the  next  higher  gear  for  best  fuel  economy. 
When  this  light  comes  on,  you  can  shift  to the  next  higher  gear 
if weather, 
road  and  traffic  conditions  let  you.  For the  best fuel economy,  accelerate 
slowly  and  shift  when  the  light  comes  on. 
While  you  accelerate,  it  is normal  for  the  light  to go  on  and 
off if you  quickly 
change  the  position 
of the  accelerator.  Ignore the SHIFT light  when  you 
downshift. 
2-27 
ProCarManuals.com