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Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and 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, 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 in OFF 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 position 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).
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,
two
-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel high (4H) or
four
-wheel low (4L) -- not in NEUTRAL. See
ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
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Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four
-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the
part that follows before using four
-wheel drive. See the
appropriate text for the transfer case in your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
4
-WHEEL LOW (4L) positions for a long time
on dry or wet pavement could shorten the life of
your vehicle's drivetrain.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.
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.
Automatic Transfer Case (If Equipped)
The transfer case buttons
are located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of four
-wheel drive.
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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
Flash
-to-Pass Feature
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
For information on the exterior lamps, see ªExterior
Lampsº earlier in this section.
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the
arrow flashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may be
burned out and other drivers may not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and a blown
fuse. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
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Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a
mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the
turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or high
to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear it click.If your headlamps are off or on low
-beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
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The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button
B. Lamp Controls
C. Air Outlets
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Traction Assist
System (TAS) (If Equipped)
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Shift Lever
H. Tow/Haul Selector Button
I. Audio SystemJ. Comfort Control System
K. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
L. Hood Release
M. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
N. Tilt Wheel Lever
O. Parking Brake Release
P. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlets
Q. Rear Window Defogger Button (If Equipped)
R. Storage Area or Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
S. Ashtray
T. Glove Box
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Instrument Panel Cluster
United States Heavy Duty Transmission version shown. Canada and Light Duty Transmission Clusters similar.
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast you're going, about how much fuel you have and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely
and economically.
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Here are some situations you may experience with
your fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with
the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.
Message Center
The message center is located on the left side of the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on,
the entire center lights up for just a few seconds. As
needed, the message center will display one of the
following messages. The message center is capable
of alternating among different messages if needed.
Battery
If this message is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this message displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and the air conditioner.
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Engine Oil
If the CHECK ENG OIL
LEVEL message appears
on the instrument cluster,
it means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see ªCHECK ENG OIL LEVELº
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
8100 Engines All Other Engines
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring handle and
is located in the engine compartment on the
passenger's side of the vehicle. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.