Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5.
START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
3
1
2
5
4
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Push the control on the end of the
stalk to activate washer. Push and
hold for a longer wash cycle. The
washer will automatically shut off
after ten seconds of continuous use.
OVERDRIVE CONTROL
Activating overdrive
(Overdrive) is the normal drive position for the best fuel economy.
The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through
all available gears.
Deactivating overdrive
Press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS) located on the end of
the gearshift lever. The
Transmission Control Indicator Light
(TCIL) (the word OFF) will
illuminate on the end of the gearshift lever.
The transmission will operate in all
gears except overdrive. To return to
normal overdrive mode, press the
Transmission Control Switch again.
The TCIL (the word OFF) will no
longer be illuminated.
When you shut off and re-start your vehicle, the transmission will
automatically return to normal
(Overdrive) mode.
For additional information about the gearshift lever and the transmission
control switch operation refer to theAutomatic Transmission
Operationsection of theDrivingchapter.
OVERDRIVE
OVERDRIVEOFF
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Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt
Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of
injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt
Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.
One time disable
Anytime the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an ignition
ON cycle, Belt Minder will be disabled for that ignition cycle only.
Deactivating/activating the belt minder feature
Read steps1-9thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The Belt Minder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
²the parking brake is set
²the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
²the ignition switch is in the OFF position
²all vehicle doors are closed
²the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
²the parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped
with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure.)
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)
2. Wait at least one minute after the safety belt warning light turns off.
²Steps 3±5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled. This can be done before or during Belt Minder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
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Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
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.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON 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.
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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
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
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).
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.
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(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.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
OVERDRIVEOFF
OVERDRIVE
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1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(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.
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The
transmission will downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first
gear.
Shift strategy (4R100 automatic transmission)
To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your 4R100
automatic transmission electronically controls the shift quality by using
an adaptive learning strategy. The adaptive learning strategy is
maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected
or a new battery is installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers
(miles) of operation.
If the shift quality does not improve within a few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation, or if the downshifts and other
throttle conditions do not function normally, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
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If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum
fuel economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
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