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v
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

2-
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2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
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.
2
-2 Keys
2
-3 Rear Access Door (Extended Cab)
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-8 Tailgate
2
-10 Theft
2
-11 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-12 Passlock
2-13 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-13 Ignition Positions
2
-16 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2
-19 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-20 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-24 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-27 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-33 Parking Brake
2
-34 Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-37 Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-38 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-38 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-39 Engine Exhaust
2
-40 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-41 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2
-42 Locking Rear Axle
2
-42 Windows
2
-44 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-51 Exterior Lamps
2
-54 Interior Lamps
2
-56 Mirrors
2
-66 Instrument Panel
2
-68 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-70 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Message Center

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2-16 Retained Accessory Power (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow
certain features of your vehicle to continue to work up
to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows and overhead console will
work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF, these features
will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a
door is opened.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see ªStarting Your Diesel
Engineº in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
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.
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.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. 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.
Starting Your V8 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.

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2-20
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument cluster. This display
must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your
key is in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small
current drain on your battery which could discharge
your battery over a period of time. If you have to
leave your key in the ignition OFF position for an
extended period, it is recommended that you remove
the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse block.
See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)

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2-25
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into the higher
forward gears the same way you do for THIRD (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 for the vehicle to stop moving 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.
5-Speed (VORTEC 4300 V6 and 4800
V8 Engines)
Here's how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever into NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). 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).

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2-26
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, first press down the clutch
pedal. Wait for the vehicle to stop moving 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.
Shift Speeds
CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
You could injure yourself or others. Don't shift
down more than one gear at a time when you
down shift.
If your engine speed drops below 600 RPM, or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear.

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2-29
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P), or if you have a manual
transmission, even if you are in gear. You or
someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure
to set the parking brake before placing the
transfer case in NEUTRAL (N). See ªParking
Brakeº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): Shift to this setting only when your
vehicle needs to be towed. The ignition switch must be
in the RUN position in order to shift the lever into
NEUTRAL (N). See ªRecreational Vehicle
TowingºorªTowing your vehicleºin the Index.
4
-Wheel Low (4L): This setting also engages your
front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need
4LO. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You
might choose 4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep
sand, deep mud, deep snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.You can shift from 2
-Wheel High (2H) to 4-Wheel High
(4H) or from 4
-Wheel High (4H) to 2-Wheel High (2H)
while the vehicle is moving. Your front axle will engage
faster if you take your foot off of the accelerator for a
couple of seconds after you shift. In extremely cold
weather, it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle
to shift into 4
-Wheel High (4H).
To shift into or out of 4
-Wheel Low (4L) or
NEUTRAL (N):
1. Slow the vehicle to a roll, about 1 to 3 mph
(2 to 5 km/h) and shift an automatic transmission
into NEUTRAL (N), or with a manual transmission,
press the clutch pedal.
2. Shift the transfer case shift lever in one
continuous motion.
Don't pause in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift the transfer
case into 4
-Wheel Low (4L), or your gears could clash.
Remember that driving in 4
-Wheel High (4H) or
4
-Wheel Low (4L) may reduce fuel economy. Also,
driving in four
-wheel drive on dry pavement could
cause your tires to wear faster and make your transfer
case harder to shift and run noisier.

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2-31
4HI: Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most off
-road situations. This
setting also engages your front axle to help drive your
vehicle. This is the best setting to use when plowing snow.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep sand, deep mud,
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.
NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle's transfer case to neutral
only when towing your vehicle. See ªRecreational
Vehicle Towingº or ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index
for more information.Indicator lights in the switches show which setting you
are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the
lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to
your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash
while shifting the transfer case. It will remain
illuminated when the shift is complete. If for some
reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it
will return to the last chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD light stays on, you should take
your vehicle to your dealer for service. See ªService
4WDº in the Index for further information.
Shifting to 4HI or AUTO 4WD
Press and release the 4HI or AUTO 4WD switch. This
can be done at any speed (except when shifting from
4LO), and the indicator light will flash while shifting. It
will remain illuminated when the shift is completed.
Shifting to 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at
any speed (except when shifting from 4LO).