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If you should become stuck in snow
or on a very slippery road surface,
try switching the Traction Controly
system off. This may allow excess
wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out
or enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver.
If the Traction Controlysystem is
cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to
prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still help control wheels from over-spinning. When
the rear brakes have cooled down, the system will again function
normally. Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will
function normally during the cool down period.
AdvanceTracYStability Enhancement System (if equipped)
The AdvanceTracysystem helps the driver maintain the stability and
steerability of the vehicle. The system integrates anti-lock braking system
(ABS), Traction Controlyand a more advanced function to further
enhance the stability of the vehicle. The system shares many of the
electronic and mechanical elements already present in the Traction
Controlyand ABS systems.
The AdvanceTracyconstantly monitors the vehicle motion relative to
the driver's intended course. This is done by using added sensors that
compare the steering inputs from the driver with the actual motion of
the vehicle. When there is a discrepancy between the driver's inputs and
the vehicle motion, AdvanceTracychanges the force at each tire to help
control the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to rotate excessively left or
right, spin out, or slide sideways, the system will attempt to correct the
excessive motion. If the vehicle does not respond to steering inputs, the
system will attempt to increase the turning response of the vehicle.
The AdvanceTracyenhances stability during maneuvers that require all
available tire traction to control the vehicle. The benefits of the
AdvanceTracysystem are most noticeable when driving in wet/snowy/icy
road conditions and/or when performing emergency maneuvers. In an
emergency lane-change, the driver will experience better overall vehicle
traction, and have better control of the vehicle.
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TRAC
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Driving conditions which may activate AdvanceTracyinclude:
²Taking a turn too fast
²Evasively maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
²Hitting a patch of ice
²Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
²Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street
²Entering a paved road from a gravel road
²Hitting a curb while turning
²Driving on slick surfaces
The AdvanceTracysystem defaults to ON when the engine is started.
The system does not work when the vehicle is traveling backwards. In
reverse, ABS and Traction Controlywill continue to function. The
system uses ABS and Traction Controly(including control of the
engine) as well as its more advanced controls to enhance vehicle
stability.
The AdvanceTracyon/off control
button allows the driver to control
the availability of the Traction
Controlyand AdvanceTracy
system. This is independent of the
ABS function, which canNOTbe
switched off by the driver. The
AdvanceTracysystem status is
indicated by a warning indicator
light with a ªsliding carº icon in the
instrument cluster that will flash
when the system is active and an indicator light in the control button
that will illuminate when the system is turned OFF. In vehicles with a
message center (if equipped), the message ªADVANCETRAC OFFº is
displayed. If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTracysystem the
warning indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay ON. If the
warning indicator light in the instrument cluster remains ON while the
engine is running, have the system serviced immediately.
The AdvanceTracysystem continually monitors and checks all sensors
used in improving the stability of the vehicle. Some drivers may notice a
slight movement of the brake pedal when the system checks itself.
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During AdvanceTracyoperation you may experience the following:
²A rumble or grinding sound much like ABS or Traction Controly
²A slight deceleration or a reduction in the acceleration of the vehicle
²The AdvanceTrac indicator light will flash
²If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the pedal
much like ABS. As with any vehicle equipped with four-wheel ABS, do
not pump the brakes, but instead, press firmly on the pedal.
²If the condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the brake
pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear a
whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTracyoperation.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an AdvanceTracyevent
is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road and that you may lose control of the vehicle. If
you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
If you find yourself regularly experiencing AdvanceTracyevents,
you are driving too fast for conditions, you should reduce your
speed, and drive less aggressively. AdvanceTrac is limited by the laws
of physics. It is always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to
inappropriate driver inputs for the conditions. The occurrence of an
AdvanceTracyevent is an indication that at least some of the tires
have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may cause you to lose
control of the vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal injury or
property damage.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
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If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
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 5±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to the desired gear.
The gearshift positions are displayed on the floor console next to the
gearshift lever and on the instrument cluster.
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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 lever 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 lever is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever 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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N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.
Drive 5 (Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears One through Five.
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Drive 4 (Drive)
Transmission operates in gears One
through Four. Drive 4 (Drive)
provides engine braking in 4th gear
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 Towing
section of this chapter.
Upshifts into Overdrive can be made
by shifting to D5. Selecting 4
(Drive) at higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to 4th gear.
Selecting D4 from lower speeds will cause the transmission to upshift at
the proper speed.
3 (Third)
Transmission operates in third gear
only. Selecting 3 (Third) provides
engine braking.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
4 (Drive) or 5 (Overdrive). Selecting
3 (Third) at higher speeds causes
the transmission to shift to a lower
gear, and will shift to 3 (Third) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
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2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
3 (Third), 4 (Drive) or 5
(Overdrive). Selecting 2 (Second) at
higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower gear,
and will shift to 2 (Second) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
2 (Second), 3 (Third), 4 (Drive) or
5 (Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower gear,
and will shift to 1 (Low) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission with the Select
Shift Transmission (SST) Shifter (if equipped)
Understanding gearshift positions
The Select Shift Transmission (SST) Shifter allows the driver to select
between the transmission's automatic shift mode or the manually
selected shift mode.
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