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Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
FLR
& DEF MAX
A/CFLOOR PANEL &
FLOOR
DEF OFF
PANEL
A/C
WARM COOL
LO
HI
com_guarding_exhaust.01
Starting
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UNDERSTANDING THE
TRACTION-LOKTREAR AXLE
(IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction
on slippery surfaces, particularly
when one or more wheels are on a
surface with poor traction.
Extended use of other than
matching size tires on a
Traction-Loktrear axle could
result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect
normal driving and should not be
noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run
the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when
changing a tire.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF
EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is
designed to improve ride, handling
and general vehicle performance
for static, on and off road driving
conditions.
The load leveling feature of the air
suspension system automatically
keeps the vehicle at a constant
level if a load is added or removed
from the vehicle.
The height adjustment feature
(4x4 air suspension system only)
automatically controls the vehicle
height over a range of
approximately 5 cm (2 in) based
on vehicle speed, ignition position
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Driving
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If the light is displayed while
driving and the air suspension
system service switch is not turned
off, safely pull off the road at your
earliest convenience. Turn the
ignition switch from 4(On) to 3
(Off) and 4(On) again. If the
warning light reappears, turn the
air suspension switch off and have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer
or qualified service technician.
If the vehicle is loaded beyond the
recommended maximum payload,
the CHECK SUSP light may
illuminate. To correct this
condition, remove or redistribute
the payload according to the
recommended requirements and
follow the procedure outlined
above.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
exd_transmission
exd_automatic
Driving
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Page 140 of 224
Junction box
Slot number Amperage Description
1 15 amp Stop/turn lamps
2 5 amp Instrument cluster, trip
computer
3 25 amp Cigar lighter
4 5 amp Autolamp module, head
lamp relay, remote entry
anti-theft with personality
module (RAP), power
mirrors
5 15 amp Air condition (A/C) clutch,
hybrid fan relay, backup
lamps, speed control,
DRL, instrument panel
blend door actuator,
electronic variable orifice
(EVO) steering module
1
1
2
3
4
512 22
21323
31424
4
16 15
25
526
61727
71828
81929
11 21 31930
10 20
exd_junction_box
Roadside emergencies
141
Page 154 of 224

Precautions when servicing
your vehicle
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²If you must work with the
engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving
parts. Take precautions with
long hair.
²Do not work on a vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed space, unless you are
sure you have enough
ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all
fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in
Batteryin this chapter.
Service recommendations
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²As possible, we design parts that
can be replaced without tools.
com_precautions_servicing.02
com_service_recommendations.01
Maintenance and care
155
Page 169 of 224
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The service engine soon light will
illuminate, indicating that vehicle
service is required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid
level at least twice a year.
1. Start the engine.
CH
exd_power_steering
Maintenance and care
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Relearning idle conditions
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the computer must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To
complete this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P(Park).
2. Turn off all accessories, and
start the engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4.The relearning process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to
relearn its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually relearned.
²If the battery has been
disconnected or a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²
Always dispose of used
automotive batteries in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community's standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
exd_air-filter
Maintenance and care
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vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even
though your engine will perform
adequately on other gasolines, the
performance of the emission
control devices and systems may
be adversely affected. Repair of
damage caused by using a fuel that
your vehicle was not designed for
may not be covered by your
warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
regular gasoline with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
ªregularº in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.
Do not be concerned if your
vehicle sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see
your dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting,
rough idle or hesitation problems
try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
87
com_octane_recommendations.01
com_fuel_quality.01
Maintenance and care
191