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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the N (Neutral) or P (Park)
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The pointer on the selector indicates the transmission
gear range (selector is illuminated for night driving).
Start the engine with the selector lever in N (Neutral) or
P (Park) position.NOTE:When the ignition is in the ON position, the
brake pedal must be pressed to move the gearshift lever
out of P (Park).
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.
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Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System (BTSI)
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the gearshift lever in
the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in an
unlocked position. To move the gear selector lever out of
the P (Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned
to the OFF, ON, or START position, the brake pedal and
the button on the front side of the shifter handle must be
depressed.
Electronically Controlled Five Speed Automatic
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a
couple hundred miles (kilometers).
Protect Mode - Electronically Controlled
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If an abnormal condition is detected, the
transmission's electronic controller will automatically
select direct gear (in the Drive position) or 2nd gear (in
the 2 or 1 position). This feature will allow the vehicle to
be driven to the dealer for service minimizing any
damage to the transmission. Some conditions that will
cause the transmission to use this alternate gear selection
are momentary and the transmission can be reset to the
normal shift program by performing the following:
²Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
²Turn the ignition key to the OFF position and then
restart the engine.
²Shift into the desire shift range and resume driving.
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NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommend that you see your dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your dealer has the proper diag-
nostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur. If the transmission is cannot be reset, dealer service
is required.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from P (Park) or
N (Neutral) position into another gear range.
PÐPark
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, then place the selector in P
(Park) position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
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²When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to steering column or shifter could result.
RÐReverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NÐNeutral
Shift to N (Neutral) when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
Overdrive
For most city and highway driving. The transmis-
sion contains electronically controlled 4th and 5th
gears (Overdrives) and will automatically shift from D
(Drive) to 4th and 5th gears if the following conditions
are present:
²The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
²The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
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reaches the appropriate temperature. Refer to the ªNoteº
under ªTorque Converter Clutchº later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the trans-
mission may downshift out of Overdrive or engage
overdrive at higher vehicle speeds (4.7L engines only)
until the transmission cools down. After cooldown, Over-
drive will resume normal operation.
2ÐSecond
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use
it also when climbing long grades, and for engine brak-
ing when descending moderately steep grades. To pre-
vent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 45 mph (72
km/h) in this range.
1ÐFirst
For driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at
low speeds (25 mph (40 km/h) or less) when going
downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the transmis-
sion.
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Proper operation of four wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range Ð Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4 PART TIME
Part Time 4 Wheel Drive High Range Ð Locks the
transfer case inter-axle differential. Forces the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional
traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4 FULL TIME
Full Time 4 Wheel Drive High Range Ð Employs inter-
axle differential. Allows front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. All roads surfaces.
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induce a torque interrupt and allow full engagement of
the newly selected position. With the vehicle stationary, it
may be necessary to shift from D (Drive) to R (Reverse)
and back to D (Drive) after shifting. This will allow full
engagement of the newly selected position. Apply a
constant force when shifting the transfer case lever.
4 PART TIME to 4 FULL TIME or 4 FULL TIME to
4 PART TIME
Shifting between 4 PART TIME and 4 FULL TIME can be
made with the vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle
is in motion, shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
With the vehicle in motion, two momentary releases of the
accelerator pedal may be required after shifting. This will
induce a torque interrupt and allow full engagement of
the newly selected position. With the vehicle stationary, it
may be necessary to shift from D (Drive) to R (Reverse)
and back to D (Drive) after shifting. This will allow full
engagement of the newly selected position. Apply a
constant force when shifting the transfer case lever.
4 FULL TIME to 4 LO or 4 LO to 4 FULL TIME
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
the transmission into N (Neutral). While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE:Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift the trans-
mission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn the
engine OFF. Make shift to desired mode.
NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4LO is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
190 STARTING AND OPERATING