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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-7.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in ates. Avoid yellow wires,
wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Page 72 of 366

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
•Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
•Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
•Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
•If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock
your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet
(9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter
supplied with your vehicle.
To unlock the driver’s door, press the UNLOCK button
one time. If you press the button again within five
seconds, all of the doors will unlock. When the UNLOCK
button is pressed, the interior dome lamps are turned
on for about 40 seconds or until the ignition switch
is activated. Press the LOCK button to lock all doors.
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Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.1. Insert a thin object, such as a coin, into the slot
between the covers of the transmitter near the
key ring hole. Remove the bottom by twisting
the object.
2. Remove and replace the battery. Use three-volt
type CR2032 battery (or equivalent).
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter. If the
transmitter does not work after battery replacement,
it may need to be resynchronized to your vehicle.
SeeResynchronizationfollowing.
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Page 87 of 366

Starting Your DURAMAX™ Diesel
Engine
Your diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline
engine.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position – that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
Move your shift lever to neutral and hold the clutch
pedal to the floor while starting the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down –that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. Turn your ignition key to RUN.
Observe the wait to start light. SeeWait to Start
Indicator on page 3-36. (This light may not come on
if the engine is hot.)
2. As soon as the wait to start light goes off,
IMMEDIATELY turn the ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let go of the key.
If your vehicle is equipped with the RPO LLY
engine, it has a fast warm-up glow plug system.
The wait to start light will illuminate for a much
shorter time than most diesel engines, due to the
rapid heating of the glow plug system.
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.
Notice:If the WAIT TO START light stays on, it
means that your vehicle could have one of several
problems, so you should have it serviced right away.
3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of
cranking, turn the ignition key to OFF. Wait one
minute for the starter to cool, then try the same
steps again.
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Page 91 of 366

•If you have air brakes, the dual-needle air pressure
gage should read at least 115 psi (790 kPa) for
both service systems before you try to move
the vehicle. When air pressure is below 60 psi
(420 kPa), the LOW AIR light will come on and you
will hear a tone alarm. If the pressure doesn’t
build up or drops during warm-up, stop the engine
and find the cause before you try to move the
vehicle. Recommended air pressure before actually
driving away is 120 psi (830 kPa).
•The charging system light should come on when
the ignition key is turned to RUN or START and
should go out when the engine is running above
idle. If the light doesn’t go out or comes back
on during normal engine operation, have the
charging system checked right away. (This light
tells you if the generator is not charging; it doesn’t
reflect the condition of the battery.)
•The voltmeter charge indicator gage tells you the
condition of your battery’s charge. The gage
should be in the center area during engine
operation. The red area on the left indicates an
undercharge condition; the red area on the
right indicates an overcharge. If the gage is in
either red area, have the battery and charging
system checked right away.Notice:For diesel engines, don’t allow the engine
to operate at low idle for more than ve minutes.
This can cause low engine operating temperatures
which can affect engine operation and reduce
engine life. Engine idle speed should be increased
to 1200 rpm whenever extended idle is required.
Once started, the engine should be placed under
load to allow the engine coolant temperature
to reach 150°F (66°C) before shutting off the engine.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this
feature, the plug-in
receptacle is located under
the driver’s door.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
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