
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.
Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to five different positions:
2
5
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory):
ACC lets you use things like the radio, power windows
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. It doesn’t lock 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.
2- 10
ProCarManuals.com

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 4
again.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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 t,he 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 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:
4. 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 4 again.
When
the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
2- 13
ProCarManuals.com

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 20 seconds before you restart your
engine. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water,
water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly
damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly \
lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you can’t avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very
slowly.
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 PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N). Your engine won’t start in any other position - that’s
a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
2- 14
ProCarManuals.com

Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock. With the ignition in
the RUN position, you must fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P).
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you continue pressing the
brake pedal.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you still
cannot shift the shift lever out of
PARK (P), see ”Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
later in this section.
REVERSE (R) - Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE
(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.
a NEUTRAL (N) - In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with
the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N)
only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
2-20
ProCarManuals.com

A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (f) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly.
You could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t
shift out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is
racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (a) - 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.
the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the accelerator all
0 should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select THIRD
GEAR
(3) when operating the vehicle under any of these
conditions.
THIRD GEAR (3) - This is like 63, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use
THIRD GEAR (3) when towing a trailer. carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or
for off-road driving.
0 SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use
SECOND GEAR (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 SECOND GEAR (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.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to
overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts of your vehicle. Always check to be sure
your parking brake is fully released before you drive.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
Propshaft Brake Burnish Procedure
If you have a 3500 HD model, it is recommended that the propshaft mounted
parking brake be burnished
as part of the new vehicle break in. The parking
brake will work best after
it has been burnished following these instructions.
Make
10 (ten) stops, using the parking brake foot pedal, from 20 mph (32
km/h) about
2 1/2 miles (4 km) apart. In between stops, drive the vehicle at
20 mph (32 km/h).
Torque Lock
When parking, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl
in the transmission. It may be difficult to pull the selector
lever out of
PARK (P). This is called ”torque lock.” To find out how to
avoid torque lock, see “Torque Lock” later in this section.
Shifting lnto PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

I. Hold the brake
pedal down
with
your right foot
and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
0 Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
- not in NEUTRAL (N)
4. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk away from your
vehicle
with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock system. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P). See
“Automatic Transmission”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of PARK (P),
try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
3. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the brake-transmission shift interlock system fixed as soon as
you can.
2-29
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission Models
Only)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine
running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever
is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. If you
have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case shift lever
and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be
free to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK
(P). So be sure the
transfer case
is in a drive gear - not in NEUTRAL (N). And, if
you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire.
You or others could be injured. Don’t leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave
it. After you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position, hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then. see
if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without first pulling
it toward you.
If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you
leave the driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the
Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before
you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push
yours
a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-30
ProCarManuals.com