
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. 
Automatic  trunsnaission: 
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. 
NOTICE: 
Don’t  try to shift  to PARK (P) if  your  vehicle is moving.  If  you 
do,  you  could  damage  the  transmission.  Shift  to 
PARK (P) only 
when  your  vehicle 
is stopped. 
The  gear  selector should  be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold  the clutch pedal to the 
floor  and  start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start 
if the clutch pedal  is  not 
all  the  way  down 
- that’s  a safety  feature. 
To start ymr 4.3 Liter V6 (Code Z) or 5.0 Liter V8 (Code H) 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 
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NOTICE: 
Don't  try to shift  to PARK (P) if your  vehicle is moving. If you 
do,  you  could  damage  the  transmission.  Shift  to 
PARK (P) only 
when your vehicle is stopped. 
2. MmLwl ~I-~~CZ.SI~~~.YS~~CZ: Move your shift lever to NEUTRAL (N) 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 wlay down - that's a safety 
feature. 
Turn  your  ignition  key to 
RUN. 
Observe  the GLOW  PLUGS  light.  (This light may not come  on if the 
engine  is hot.) 
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. 
3. As soon as the GLOW  PLUGS light goes off. IMMEDIATELY turn the 
ignition  key 
to START.  When  the  engine starts. let go of the  key.  (The 
longer  you  wait  to  start after the  light goes 
off, the harder it will be to 
start  the engine.) 
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. 
4. If the engine  does  not start after IS seconds of cranking.  turn  the 
ignition  key  to  OFF.  Wait  one minute 
for the starter  to cool. then try the 
same  steps again. 
If you're  trying to start your  engine  after you've run out of fuel. follocv  the 
steps 
in "Running  Out of Fuel"  (see "Diesel  Fuel  Requirements  and  Fuel 
System" 
in the  Index). 
When 
YOLI~ engine  is cold.  let it run for a few  minutes before  you  move your 
vehicle.  This lets oil pressure  build 
up. Your engine will sound louder  when 
it's  cold. 
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FIRST GEAR (1) - This position  gives you even more power (but 
lower 
fuel economy)  than SECOND GEAR (2). You  can use it on very 
steep hills,  or in deep  snow or mud. If the selector lever  is  put  in FIRST 
GEAR  (1)  while the vehicle  is moving  forward,  the transmission won’t 
shift  into  FIRST  GEAR 
(1) until the vehicle  is going slowly enough. 
NOTICE: 
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. 
Also,  if you  stop  when  going  uphill,  don’t  hold  your  vehicle there 
with  only  the  accelerator  pedal.  This  could  overheat  and  damage 
the  transmission. 
Use your  brakes  or  shift  into PARK (P) to  hold 
your vehicle  in  position  on  a hill. 
Five-Spa-ld  Manual  Transmission  (With Low 
Gear) 
If you have a five 
speed  manual 
transmission  with 
low 
gear (RPO MW3), this 
is  your  shift pattern. 
Here’s  how  to  operate 
your transmission: 
LOW GEAR (1) is 
intended only  for 
heavy  loads and  is 
not 
recommended  for 
normal  driving. 
LOW GEAR (1) - Press the clutch  pedal  and shift into LOW GEAR 
(1). Then, slowly  let up on  the clutch pedal as you press  the accelerator 
pedal.  Shift into 
LOW GEAR (1) only  when  the  vehicle speed is below 
5 mph (8 km/h). If you  try to shift into LOW GEAR (I ) at excessive 
vehicle  speeds, the shift lever 
will not move into  the LOW GEAR (1) 
position until vehicle speed is reduced. 
FIRST  GEAR (2) - Press the clutch  pedal  and shift into FIRST 
GEAR (2). Then, slowly let  up on the clutch  pedal as you press the 
accelerator  pedal. 
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You can shift  into  FIRST  GEAR (2) when  you’re  going  less  than 20 
mph (32 kmh). If you’ve  come  to  a  complete  stop  and it’s hard  to shift 
into  FIRST  GEAR 
(2), put the shift  lever in NEUTRAL (N) and  let up 
on the  clutch.  Press  the clutch pedal back  down.  Then shift into FIRST 
GEAR 
(2). If  you  try to shift  into  FIRST  GEAR (2) at excessive 
vehicle  speeds, the shift  lever  will not move  into the FIRST  GEAR 
(2) 
position until vehicle  speed is reduced. 
0 SECOND  GEAR (3) - Press the clutch pedal  as you  let up on the 
accelerator  pedal  and shift  into  SECOND GEAR 
(3). Then, slowly let 
up  on the  clutch pedal as you  press 
the accelerator  pedal. 
0 THIRD GEAR (4), FOURTH GEAR (5) - Shift  into  the  higher 
forward  gears 
the same  way you do for  SECOND  GEAR (3). 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 (N) - Use this position  when  you start or idle your 
engine. 
REVERSE (R) - To  back  up, first press down the clutch pedal.  Wait 
about 
5 seconds  for the internal parts  to stop  spinning  and then, shift 
into  REVERSE  (R).  Let up 
on the clutch pedal  slowly  while pressing 
the  accelerator  pedal. 
NOTICE: 
Shift to REVERSE (R) only  after  your  vehicle  is  stopped. 
Shifting  to 
REVERSE  (R) while  your  vehicle  is moving  could 
damage  your  transmission. 
Also,  use REVERSE  (R),  along  with the parking  brake, when turning 
off your engine  and parking  your vehicle. 
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Five Speed Manual Transmission (Without 
Low Gear) 
6 If  you have a five 
speed  manual 
transmission without 
low  gear 
(RPO MG5), 
this is your shift 
pattern. Here’s how to 
operate your 
transmission: 
FIRST  GEAR (1) - Press  the clutch pedal and shift into  FIRST 
GEAR 
(1). Then,  slowly  let  up on the  clutch pedal  as you press the 
accelerator  pedal. 
You can shift into FIRST GEAR (1 ) when you’re  going less than 20 
mph (32 kdh). If you’ve  come  to a complete  stop  and it‘s hard to shift 
into  FIRST  GEAR 
(1). put the shift lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up 
on the clutch.  Press the clutch pedal back  down. Then shift  into  FIRST 
GEAR 
(1). 
SECOND  GEAR (2) - Press the clutch pedal  as you let up on the 
accelerator pedal  and shift into  SECOND GEAR 
(2). Then, slowly  let 
up 
on the clutch pedal  as you press  the accelerator pedal. 
THIRD GEAR (3), FOURTH  GEAR (4) and FIFTH  GEAR (5) - 
Shift into  THIRD GEAR (3). FOURTH GEAR (4) and FIFTH GEAR 
(5) the same  way  you do  for  SECOND  GEAR (2). Slowly let  up  on  the 
clutch  pedal 
as you press the accelerator pedal. 
Just  before the vehicle  stops, press the clutch pedal  and  the brake pedal, 
and  shift  to  NEUTRAL 
(N). 
0 To Stop - Let up on the accelerator pedal  and press the brake pedal. 
NEUTRAL (N) - Use this position  when you start or idle your 
engine. 
REVERSE  (R) - To back  up, first press down  the clutch pedal.  Wait 
about 5 seconds for the  internal parts  to stop  spinning  and then, shift 
into  REVERSE  (R).  Let up  on  the clutch pedal slowly while pressing 
the  accelerator  pedal. 
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Recommended  Shift  Speeds* 
Five 
Speed Manual  Transmission  with Low Gear 
Acceleration Shift Speed MPH 
(KW) 
Engine 
(VIN 
CODE) 
4.3L V6 (Z) 
6.5L V8 (P) 
4.3L  V6 (Z) 
6.SL V8 (P) 
2 to 3 
15 (24) 
1 5 (24) 
3 to 4 
40  (64) 
40  (64) 
4 to 5 
50 (80) 
45 (72) 
Cruise Shift  Speed MPH (KM/H) 
15 (24) 
I 5 (24)  25-40 
(40-64) 
25-40 
(40-64)  45-50 
(72-80) 
45  (72) 
*LOW GEAR (1) is intended only  for heavy  loads and  is  not recommended 
for  normal  driving. 
If  your  speed drops below 20  mph 
(32 km/h),  or if the engine is not  running 
smoothly, 
you should downshift  to the next lower  gear. You may have  to 
downshift  two 
or more gears  to keep  the engine  running smoothly  or for 
good performance. 
A CAUTION: 
If  you skip more  than one gear  when  you  downshift,  you could 
lose  control  of your  vehicle.  And  you  could  injure yourself  or 
others.  Don’t shift 
down more than one gear  when  you 
downshift. 
NOTICE: 
If you  skip more than one gear  when  you  downshift, or if  you 
race the  engine  when  you  downshift,  you  can damage the engine, 
clutch  or transmission. 
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The  from axle portion 
of the  indicator 
diagram  will light 
up 
when  you  shift  into 
four-wheel  drive. 
Some  delay between  shifting and the indicator's  lighting is normal. 
If the 
indicator  light  does not light 
up, or if the front  axle light  does not go out 
after  you shift  out of  four-wheel  drive. have your  dealer  check  your system. 
When  your headlamps  or parking  lamps are 
on, rotate the thumb  wheel  next 
to the headlamp  switch up  to brighten,  or  down  to dim, your transfer  case 
indicator  light. 
2-WHEEL  HIGH  (2H) 
This  setting  is for  driving 
in most  street and highway  situations. Your 
front  axle  is  not engaged 
in two-wheel  drive. 
4-WHEEL  HIGH (4H) 
This  setting  engages  your front axle to help  drive  your  vehicle. Use 
4H 
when  you  need  extra traction,  such  as on  wet  or icy  roads.  or in most 
off-road  situations. 
0 NEUTRAL (N) 
Shift to this setting only  when your vehicle needs to  be towed  or when 
using 
a power  take-off. 
0 4-WHEEL  LOW  (4L) 
This  setting  also  engages  your front axle to give  you extra  power,  but 
should  be  used  only for off-road  driving. 
You  can  shift  from  2-WHEEL  HIGH  (2H) 
to &WHEEL  HIGH (4H) or from 
4-WHEEL  HIGH (4H) to  2-WHEEL  HIGH  (2Hj while  the  vehicle  is  moving. 
Your  front  axle 
will engage  faster if you  take  your  foot off of  the  accelerator 
for  a few  seconds  after  you shift. 
In extremely  cold  weather it may  be 
necessary 
to stop  or slow the vehicle  to  shift  out  of  2-WHEEL HIGH (2H). 
To  shift 
into or out of 4-WHEEL  LOW (4L) or NEUTRAL (N): 
0 Slow the vehicle  to a roll. about 1-3 mph (2-5 km/h) and shift  an 
automatic  transmission  into neutral, 
or with a manual transmission 
press  the clutch  pedal. 
Shift the transfer  case  shift lever in one  continuous  motion. 
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A CAUTION: 
Driving to the  top  (crest)  of a hill  at full  speed  can  cause  an 
accident.  There  could  be  a drop-off, embankment,  cliff, or  even 
another  vehicle.  You could  be  seriously  injured 
or killed. As you 
near  the  top 
of a hill,  slow  down  and  stay  alert. 
Q: What  should I do if my vehicle  stalls, or is about  to  stall, and I 
A: If this  happens,  there are some things  you should  do,  and  there are 
some  things  you must  not do.  First, here’s what  you 
shoclld do: 
can’t  make it up  the  hill? 
0 Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle  and  keep it from rolling 
backwards.  Also, apply  the parking  brake. 
If your  engine  is still running,  shift the transmission  into  reverse, 
release the parking  brake, and slowly back down the 
hill in reverse. 
If your  engine  has stopped running,  you’ll  need to restart it. With  the 
brake  pedal depressed  and the parking  brake  still applied,  shift the 
transmission  to PARK  (P)  (or,  shift  to NEUTRAL 
(N) if your vehicle 
has  a manual  transmission)  and restart the  engine.  Then, shift 
to 
reverse,  release the parking  brake, and slowly back down the hill as 
straight 
as possible in reverse. 
0 As you  are backing down the hill, put your left hand on the steering 
wheel  at the 
12 o’clock  position.  This way,  you’ll  be able  to tell if your 
wheels  are straight  and maneuver 
as you  back  down. It’s best that you 
back  down the hill with your  wheels  straight rather than in the left or 
right  direction.  Turning the 
wheel too  far to the  left  or right will 
increase  the possibility 
of a rollover. 
Here  are  some  things you 
must mt do if you stall,  or are about  to  stall, 
when  going 
up a hill. 
0 Never  attempt  to prevent  a stall  by shifting into NEUTRAL (N) (or 
depressing  the clutch, 
if you  have a manual  transmission)  to ”rev-up” 
the  engine  and regain  forward  momentum.  This  won’t work. Your 
vehicle  will  roll  backwards  very quickly  and 
you could go out of 
control. 
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