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disabled for about 4 minutes until the brakes have
cooled. The system will automatically reactivate and turn
off the Traction Control Light.
9. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up on the
accelerator.
10. Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. The word TRIP
and either ªAº or ªBº will appear when in the trip
odometer mode. Push in and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles or kilome-
ters. The odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
11. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.12. AutoStick Light
This display indicator illuminates when the gearshift
lever is moved to the AutoStick position.
13. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Pressing the MENU button will change the displayed
programming features. Pressing the STEP button will
display the available choices. Pressing the MENU button
a second time accepts a selected choice.
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages.
²LEFT/RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON (with a continuous
warning chime)
²INVALID KEY & FOB (with a single chime)
²SERVICE IMMOBILIZER (with a single chime)
²KEY FOB BATTERY LOW (with a single chime)
²KEY & FOB PROGRAMMED (with a single chime)
²PROGRAM KEY & FOB
²MEMORY #1/#2 POSITION SET (with a single chime)
²MEMORY #1/#2 POS SELECTED
²MEMORY SYSTEM DISABLED VEHICLE NOT IN
PARK (with a single chime)
²SET INHIBITED DUE TO MOTION (with a single
chime)
²FOB LINKED (with a single chime)
²FOB UNLINKED (with a single chime)
²PARK BRAKE ENGAGED (with a single chime)
²LOW BRAKE FLUID (with a single chime)
²LOW FUEL (with a single chime)
²MENU IN PARK ONLY
²LIST # ALERT MESSAGES
²UNLOCK TO OPEN LIFTGATE (with a single chime)
²PUT IN PARK FOR LIFTGATE (with a single chime)
146 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................198
NNormal Starting......................198
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........200
mAutomatic Transmission..................201
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......201
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System.............................202
NFour Speed Automatic Transmission........202
mAutoStick............................204NAutoStick Operation...................204
NAutoStick General Information............204
mAll Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped............205
mParking Brake.........................206
mBrake System..........................208
NAnti-Lock Brake System................208
mPower Steering........................211
mTraction Control Ð If Equipped............212
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STARTING PROCEDURES
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Startingof either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the ªSTARTº position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the ªOFFº position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather(below229ÉC or220ÉF) To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
198 STARTING AND OPERATING
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON position. Always
depress thebrake pedal first,before moving the gear
selector out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 201
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NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommended that you visit a dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
ªRº Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.ªNº Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
ªDº Overdrive
To be used for most city and highway driving, it provides
smoothest upshifts and downshifts and best fuel
economy. When frequent transmission shifting occurs
while using the ªDº Overdrive position, such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions,
(i.e. in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick mode and
select the ª3º range.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range in the AutoStick mode
while operating the vehicle under heavy operating con-
ditions will improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 203
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CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit
and/or the viscous coupling.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
Park position. To release the parking brake, pull out on
the parking brake release located on the left side of the
instrument panel.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.WARNING!
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector lever. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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