²When the rear of the seat is 10±13 cm (4±5 in) above the rear pins,
let the seat drop. This will ensure that the seat will properly latch into
the floor.
3. Locate the seat belt anchor tongue in the plastic housing on the floor.
4. Disconnect the detachable anchor from its stowage location and
connect it to the anchor tongue (making sure that the label on the
detachable anchor is pointing toward the outside of the vehicle (left
side) and that the belts are not twisted or jammed).
5. Insert the seat detachable anchor into detachable anchor tongue until
you hear a ªclickº and feel the latch engage.
6. Push up on the seat to verify that it is latched into the floor.
7. Verify that the safety belts can move freely on either side of the seat.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Safety restraints precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag SRS is
provided.
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83
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle and
pull up on the shoulder belt while
pushing down with your knee on the
child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps
two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching safety seats with tether straps
Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that
goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring
point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory.
Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about
ordering a tether strap.
Seating and safety restraints
98
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located behind an access panel
underneath the passenger side
instrument panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
Check air suspension light
The warning and indicator light CK SUSP illuminates when the air
suspension switch is turned off or an air suspension system fault has
been detected.
If the light is displayed while driving and the air suspension system
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 a dealer or qualified service technician.
If the vehicle is loaded beyond the recommended maximum payload, the
CK SUSP light may illuminate. To correct this condition, remove or
redistribute the payload according to the recommended requirements
and follow the procedure outlined above.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer's specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok rear 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.
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
OFF
Driving
110
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park). This position locks the
transmission and prevents the rear
wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
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112
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS) on the end of
the gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on the
end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS) on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift
in the
position. The TCIL (the word OFF) will illuminate on the
gearshift lever. Transmission operates in gears one through three.
(Drive) provides more engine braking than(Overdrive) and is
useful when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer
toDriving while you towin theTrailer towingsection.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS). The TCIL (the word OFF) will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired.
OVERDRIVEOFF
OVERDRIVE
Driving
113
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each
axle system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum combined
weight of towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the
trailer. The GCWR indicates the maximum loaded weight that the
vehicle is designed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight: maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range: Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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120
The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver's door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding
weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the Front Axle Reserve
Capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the Total Axle Reserve Capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the Total Axle Reserve Capacity.
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and Front and Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
Driving
121
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may
require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and
suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be
sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be
removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
²Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional heavy duty trailer tow
wiring, it is pre-wired for trailer towing. An electrical connector is
provided under the instrument panel for installing a customer-supplied
electric brake controller. Another electrical connector is provided at the
hitch. This connector provides power to the trailer for taillamps, stop
and turn lamps, back up lamps, battery charge, electric brakes (when a
customer provided controller is installed) and ground. The kit included
with your vehicle provides you with adaptors to attach the brake
controller and convert the hitch connector for Class I trailer usage.
Driving
122