2000 GMC JIMMY Tow

2-16
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five
different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was
before you inserted the key.

2-17
NOTICE:
Don't operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY
position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK (B): 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.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for
example, if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This position starts your engine.

2-19 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.
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. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), wait 15 seconds and start over.
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 engine 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 ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

2-21
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever,
it features an electronic shift position indicator within
the instrument panel 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, but not locked, there will be a small current
drain on your battery which could discharge your battery
over a period of time. If you need to leave your key in
the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from
the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
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).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index. If you
have four
-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to
roll
-- even if your shift lever is in PARK (P) -- if
your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL. See ªFour
-Wheel Drive (Automatic
Transfer Case)º in the Index. If you're pulling a
trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

2-23
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
DRIVE (D) should not be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for
off
-road driving. Select THIRD (3) when operating the
vehicle under any of these conditions.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D). You should use THIRD (3)
when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on
steep hills or winding roads or for off
-road driving.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (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.
You can also use SECOND (2) for starting your vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won't shift into first
gear 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.

2-24 Tow/Haul Selector Switch (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be
equipped with a tow/haul
selector switch. This switch
will be located on the
floor console.
If your vehicle is equipped with the tow/haul selector
switch, you can use this feature to more efficiently tow
or haul a heavy load.
To select the tow/haul mode, press in on the switch.
The Tow/Haul light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. To go back to normal operation, press the
switch again. The indicator light on the instrument panel
cluster will go out. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index
for more information.
Manual Transmission Operation
5-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
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 (30 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

2-30
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.
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), 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 shifting the
transfer case to 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, and the indicator light
will flash while shifting. It will remain illuminated when
the shift is complete.

2-32
Shifting to NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL, first make sure
the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) or have
the clutch pedal pressed for vehicles with
manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case to 2HI.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the 2HI and
4LO buttons for 10 seconds. The red NEUTRAL
light will come on when the transfer case shift to
NEUTRAL is complete.
7. Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one
second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D)
for one second or FIRST (1) for vehicles with
manual transmission.
8. Turn the ignition to OFF.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P) or
FIRST (1) for vehicles with manual transmission.
10. Release the parking brake prior to towing.Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Start the vehicle with the transmission in PARK (P)
or FIRST (1) for vehicles with manual transmission.
3. Press the button for the desired transfer case position
(2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 4LO).
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) or press the
clutch pedal for vehicles with manual transmission.
5. Shift the transmission lever to the desired position.
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,
the red light will go out.
6. A re
-engagement sound is normal when shifting out
of NEUTRAL.