Features & Controls
Section
L
r
1
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your
vehicle. and information on starting. shifting and braking
. Also 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 the
Introduction .
Keys ..................................................... 2-3
DoorLocks
................................................ 2-5
Your Doors and How They Work .... .................... 2-7 ..
................................................ Side Doors 2-7
Tailgate. Tailgate Glass and Rear
Doors ... ... ............... 2-8
Tailgate
........................... ...................... 2-8
PanelDoors
............................................... 2-9
Theft
.................................................... 2-10
New Vehicle Break-In
...................................... 2-11
Ignition Switch
.................................... . 2-12
Starting Your Gasoline Engine ......................... . 2-13
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
......................... 2-15
Starting Your Diesel Engine
................................. 2-16
Automatic Transmission .................................... 2-21
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
............................. 2-24
LockingRearAxle ......................................... 2-26
Parking Brake .................................... . . 2-26
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The rear doors have a check assembly to keep them from fully opening
during normal use.
To fully open the either rear door, you must release the
check strap.
First, open the door part way
until the white mark on the check strap is fully
outside the door edge. If the end of the strap catches the pin on the door, the
door is open too far,
Then, hold the strap at
the white mark, pull
the strap toward
you
and open the door all
the way.
To re-engage the door check strap, just close the door and the strap will
catch the pin.
To close the doors, close the left door first. After securely closing the left
door, close the right door. Make sure both doors are latched securely.
To lock the rear doors from outside the vehicle, put your door key in the
lock and turn it to the right. If you have power door locks, you can lock the
side doors as well as the rear doors from inside the vehicle. For more
information, see “Power Door Locks” in this section.
Theft
Vehicle theft is 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 lgnition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target
for
joy riders or professional thieves - so 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.
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Ignition Switch
Use your square key to start your vehicle. The square key lets you turn the
ignition switch to five different positions: -
I
5
2
3
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
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.
LOCK: This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission.
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. 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.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “LOCK” and you can’t turn it, be
sure it is all the way in.
If it is, then turn the steering wheel left
and right while
you turn the key hard. But turn the key only
with your hand. Using a tool to force
it could break the key or
the ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Key Release Lever
The ignition key
cannot be removed
from the ignition of
.. manual transmission
vehicles unless the
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the LOCK position while
pressing the key release lever down (see the caution earlier
in this section
about the key release lever). Keeping your finger
on the lever, pull the key
straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the
key to LOCK and pull it
straight out.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Index.
Engines start differently. The
8th digit of your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in
the Index.) Follow the proper steps to start the
engine.
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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.
NOTICE:
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.
Manual Transmission:
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor, then shift your gear selector to neutral
while starting the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not
all the way down
- that’s a safety feature.
To start your 5.7 Liter (Code K) or 7.4 Liter (Code N) V8 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, 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.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
2. 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:
3. 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 3 again.
Hot Engine Restart (Vehicles With 5.7L LO5 Engine and Over 8500 lbs.
GVWR): If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition
key to
OFF. Then, turn your key to ON, and wait about 20 seconds
before you restart your engine.
When the engine starts,
let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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Driving In Snow (Diesel Engines)
When driving in a heavy snowstorm or in swirling snow with a diesel
engine, snow can get into
the air intake system. If you keep driving in these
conditions the air cleaner may get plugged, causing black smoke and loss of
power. In an emergency, if the air cleaner gets plugged with snow, you can
remove the air cleaner.
Then, drive to a place of safety as soon as possible
and put the air cleaner back
on.
Starting Your Diesel Engine
Your diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline 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.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to 4‘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.
2. Manual Transmission:
Move your shift lever 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.
Turn your ignition
key to RUN. Don’t turn it to START.
With the ignition in RUN, the “GLOW PLUGS” light will come on. If
the engine is already warm, this light may
not come on. That’s normal.
During starting, your “GLOW
PLUGS” light may go on and off a few
times. This
is normal. This means that part of your engine is being
warmed up for better starting. When the light goes off, your engine is
ready to start.
Do not start the engine with this light on.
NOTICE:
If the “GLOW PLUGS” light stays on, it means that your
vehicle could have one
of several problems, so you should have it
serviced right away.
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Automatic Transmission
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
0 P (Park)
This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
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R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transmission. Shift to
“R” only after your
vehicle is stopped.
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 with the wheels. To restart
when you’re already moving, use
“N’ (Neutral) only. Also, use “N’
(Neutral) when your vehicle is being towed.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
0 @ (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.
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