
Trailer ABS brake system (if equipped)
Illuminates briefly when the engine
is powered-up and only when a PLC
trailer or a PLC diagnostic tool is
connected. If the light remains on
after the vehicle is started,
continues to flash or fails to illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately.
Parking brake warning (Hydraulic brakes only)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Also
illuminates when the parking brake
is engaged. If the brake warning
lamp does not illuminate at these
times, seek service immediately.
Safety belt
Illuminates to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Check trans (Allison automatic transmission)
The lamp will illuminate for several
seconds after the ignition is turned
to the ON position. Illumination of
this light indicates that a problem
has been detected and shifting may be restricted. Depending upon the
severity of the problem, the read-out digit on the shifter display may be
blank. Operation may continue in order to reach service assistance. The
ECU may not respond to shift selector requests, since operating
limitations are being placed on the transmission, i.e. upshifts and
downshifts may be restricted. Direction changes will not occur.
Refer to the Transmission Operator’s Manual for more information.
P
BRAKE
CHECK
TRANS
Instrumentation
12 

Range inhibit
Illuminates when the transmission is
not engaged in the selected gear.
The warning light will go off when
the gearshift lever is adjusted in to
the appropriate gear.
Refer to the Transmission Operator’s Manual for more information.
Charging system (if equipped)
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off, or an over voltage
condition requiring electrical system service.
Wait to start
Indicates the air intake heater is in
operation and special starting
procedures are required. Refer to
theDrivingchapter.
If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use ether or any
other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids (ether) in an
engine equipped with an air intake heater could result in damage
and/or personal injury.
RANGE
INHIBIT
WAIT
TO
START
Instrumentation
13 

The BeltMinder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set.
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission).
•The ignition switch is in the OFF position.
•All vehicle doors are closed.
•The driver’s safety belt is unbuckled.
•The 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.
BeltMinder activation and deactivation procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE.)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1–2
minutes.)
•Steps 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 BeltMinder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
•After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
•This will disable BeltMinder if it is currently enabled, or enable
BeltMinder if it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling BeltMinder is provided by the safety belt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.
Seating and Safety Restraints
99 

Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, pull handle up until it
snaps into the locked position.
A properly adjusted parking brake
requires approximately 116 Nm
(90 lb-ft) to activate. For maximum
parking brake effectiveness turn
handle clockwise to adjust for wear.
When the parking brake is out of
adjustment, seek service
immediately.
The parking BRAKE warning lamp
in the instrument cluster illuminates
and remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the parking brake.
Always set the parking brake fully AND make sure the gearshift
selector is in R (Reverse) for vehicles equipped with manual
transmission, P (Park)(if equipped)or N (Neutral) for vehicles with
automatic transmission. Use of wheel chocks is also recommended in
hilly or off-road usage.
Unexpected and possible sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken.
P
BRAKE
Driving
116 

Parking brake
Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the parking brake.
Always set the parking brake fully AND make sure the gearshift
selector is in R (Reverse) for vehicles equipped with manual
transmission or N (Neutral) for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Unexpected and possible sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken.
If the service brakes should fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion,
you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. The stopping
distance, however, will be much greater than normal. Repairs should be
made immediately to an inoperative air brake system circuit.
Parking brake control
Pull the yellow parking brake knob
out to apply the parking brake. Push
the knob in to release the parking
brake.
This control is used for
parking only. Do not leave
the vehicle unattended after
setting the parking brake without
placing the transmission in R
(Reverse) for manual transmission
or N (Neutral) for automatic
transmission. Use of wheel chocks
is also recommended in hilly or
off-road usage.
Releasing spring brake with air pressure
The air system in all vehicles with spring-actuated rear wheel parking
brakes is equipped with a tank valve located on the supply or service air
tank for connection to an outside air supply. The valve permits the
system to be recharged with air from an outside source, releasing the
spring-actuated parking brakes. The vehicle may then be towed in an
emergency.PARKING
BRAKE
PULL TO
RELEASE
APPLY
PUSH TO
Driving
122 

Air suspension dump valve
The dump valve switch activates the
dump valve. The dump valve
releases air from the air springs and
lowers the rear suspension, allowing
you to back under a low trailer
when necessary.
DRIVING WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (IF EQUIPPED)
Allison automatic transmission
Do not allow your vehicle to coast in N (Neutral). Transmission
braking is not available in N (Neutral). Allowing the vehicle to
coast in N (Neutral) could result in loss of vehicle control and severe
transmission damage.
The Allison automatic transmissions are a torque converter type, full
power shifting and fully automatic. They also have the added flexibility
of manually selecting and holding in the lower drive ranges which permit
the drive selection of the most suitable gear range to match varying road
and load conditions. To prevent destructive overspeeding of the engine,
the hold feature is not infinite, resulting in upshifts from the hold range
to the next higher range at some speed above the no-load governed
speed of the engine.
Allison AT-545
These transmissions have no P (Park) position. Before leaving
the driver’s seat, always shift into N (Neutral) and set the
parking brake. Shut off the engine and remove your ignition key.
Always use wheel chocks for hilly or off-road parking. Unexpected and
possibly sudden vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are
not taken.
This transmission provides four forward speeds and one reverse range.
Driving
132 

R (Reverse)
Use this position to back the vehicle. Completely stop the vehicle before
shifting from R (Reverse) to any forward gear (1, 2, 3 or D). The reverse
warning signal will sound when the selector is in R (Reverse). Reverse
has only one gear and provides the greatest gear reduction.
N (Neutral)
Place the selector in N (Neutral) before starting the engine. Shift to N
(Neutral) and set the parking brake any time the engine is to be running
while the operator is not at the controls. The engine should be at idle
speed when any shift from N (Neutral) to a drive range is made.
D (Drive-Normal driving position)
The transmission starts in first gear and automatically shifts through
second, third and fourth depending on load and speed demands. This
range is used for highway driving under normal conditions.
3 and 2 (Third and Second)
Use these ranges when road, load or traffic conditions require a lower
gear. These ranges provide greater engine braking than D (Drive). When
conditions are improved that no longer require these lower gears, shift
back to D (Drive).
1 (First)
The transmission has to be manually shifted into 1 (First) and will not
shift into a higher gear. This range is used for extra heavy loads or where
maximum reduction is required.
Allison MD Series transmissions
These transmissions have no P (Park) position. Before leaving
the driver’s seat, always shift into N (Neutral) and set the
parking brake. Shut off the engine and remove your ignition key.
Always use wheel chocks for hilly or off-road parking. Unexpected and
possibly sudden vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are
not taken.
These transmissions are electronically controlled and have a push button
shifter. MD transmissions are available in five- or six-speed driving
ranges.
Driving
133 

4 and 2 (Fourth and Second)
Use these ranges when road, load or traffic conditions require a lower
gear. These ranges provide greater engine braking than D (Drive). When
conditions are improved that no longer require these lower gears, shift
back to D (Drive).
1 (First)
The transmission has to be manually shifted into 1 (First) and will not
shift into a higher gear. Use this position when pulling through mud or
snow, driving up steep grades, hauling extra heavy loads or where
maximum reduction is required.
Allison 2400 series
This transmission provides five forward speeds in four ranges and one
reverse range.
P (Park)
Use this position when you start the engine. The engine is designed to
start in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position only.
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
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
When parking on hilly or off-road terrains, be sure to set the parking
brake fully and chock the wheels to prevent unexpected and possibly
sudden vehicle movement.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to move the vehicle backwards. Completely stop the
vehicle before shifting from a forward gear (1, 2, 4 or D) to R (Reverse),
or from R (Reverse) to any forward gear. The reverse warning signal will
sound when the selector is in R (Reverse). Reverse has only one gear
and provides the greatest gear reduction.
N (Neutral)
This position can be used when starting the engine. The engine is
designed to start in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position only. The
engine should be at idle speed when any shift from N (Neutral) to a
drive range is made.
Driving
138