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Your Doors and How They Work
Side Doors
d
To open the door from
the outside, pull the
handle up and pull the
door
open.
~ To open the door from
the inside, pull the
lever toward
you and
push the door open.
i
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Tailgate
You can open the
tailgate by lifting up
on its handle while
pulling the tailgate
toward you.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it away from you into the latch.
When you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards you, to be sure that
it latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for different loading
situations. Although the tailgate can be removed without assistance, you
may want someone to assist you with the removal to avoid possible finish
damage.
To remove the tailgate:
0 Raise the tailgate
slightly and
release both
retaining cable
clips. To release
the cable clips,
lift the cable
so it
points straight out
and push the
cable clips
forward.
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With the tailgate at a slight upward
angle, pull back
on the tailgate at
the right edge and
then move the
tailgate to the
right,
to release
the
left edge.
Reverse the above procedure to re-install. Make sure the tailgate is secure.
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 Ignition
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.
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.
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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 something valuable
in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area or console.
0 Lock the console.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
New Vehide “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your 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 km/h) 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.
0 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.
New Vehicle “Break-In” - 3500 HD Model
If you have a 3500 HD model, your parking brake requires a special
break-in procedure. See “Parking Brake” in the Index.
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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 2
5
Q
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
key release lever is
used.
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 leve\
r, 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 step\
s 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.
Hold the clutch pedal to the tloor, 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 4.3 Liter (Code 2) V6 or 5.0L (Code H) 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.
3. 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 tloor. 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 the accelerator pedal.
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NOTICE:
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, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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 t\
o “Start.”
When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
I
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.
3. 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 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 RUN, and wait about 20 seconds
before you restart your engine.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition\
key to
OFF.
Then turn your key to “Run” and wait 20 seconds before you restart your
engine. When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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