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Window Fogging
In mild but rainy or humid weather, windows will fog on
the inside. To rapidly clear the fog off all the windows,
select the defrost mode, turn the temperature control
knob fully clockwise, and position the blower control to
its highest speed. Once the windshield has been cleared,
adjust the controls for your comfort.
On air conditioned vehicles, the compressor will operate
when in the Mix or Defrost modes and when the outside
temperature is approximately 30ÉF (-1ÉC) to provide
additional defrost/defog.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality anti-freeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration is recommended.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
A rotary ring switch on the control lever, located on the
right side of the steering column, controls operation of
the rear wiper/washer function. Rotating the center of
the switch up to the DEL (Delay) position or the ON
position will activate the wiper. Rotating the switch ring
beyond the ON or OFF position will activate the rear
washer. The wash pump will continue to operate as long
as the lever or ring is engaged. Upon release, the wipers
will cycle three times before returning to the set position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 203
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If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
OFF, the wiper will automatically return to the ªParkº
position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wiper will
resume function at whichever position the switch is set
at.
If the swing gate flip-up window is open or the swing
gate is open, connection to the rear window wiper is
interrupted preventing activation of the rear wiper blade.
When the swing gate flip-up window or the swing gate is
closed, the rear wiper switch or the ignition switch needs
to be turned OFF, and then to ON to restart the rear
wiper.
NOTE: The rear swing gate will lock while the rear
wiper is operating. The gate will stay locked until the
wiper is turned off and the gate is unlocked (by key,
lock switch, or key fob).Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. It is located in the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger side and
should be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill
the reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radia-
tor antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds
to flush out the residual water.
Rear Window Defroster
On the top of the climate control panel is a push
button for rear window defrosting. An amber
indicator in the push button will light when the defroster
is turned on. Push again to turn off the defroster prior to
an automatic time-out.
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 207 of 374
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................210
NManual Transmission..................210
NAutomatic Transmission................210
NNormal Starting......................210
NExtreme Cold Weather..................211
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................211
NAfter Starting........................212
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........212
mTransmission Shifting....................213N5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission.....213
NAutomatic Transmission................216
mFour-Wheel Drive Operation...............222
NCommand-TractOperating
Information/Precautions................222
NShift Positions........................224
NShifting Procedure....................225
NSelec-TractOperating Information/Precautions Ð
If Equipped.........................226
NShift Positions........................229
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NShifting Procedure....................230
mTrac-LokŸ Rear Axle Ð If Equipped.........231
mParking Brake.........................232
mAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.......234
mOn-Road Driving Tips...................236
mOff-Road Driving Tips...................236
NWhen To Use 4L Or 4 Lo (Low) Range......236
NIn Snow, Mud And Sand................237
NHill Climbing........................237
NTraction Downhill.....................238
NAfter Driving Off-Road.................238
mTire Safety Information...................239
NTire Markings........................239NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........243
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........244
mTires Ð General Information...............248
NTire Inflation Pressures.................249
NHigh Speed Operation.................250
NRadial-Ply Tires......................251
NTire Spinning........................251
NTread Wear Indicators..................252
NReplacement Tires.....................252
NAlignment And Balance.................253
mTire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 254
NTire Pressure Monitor System Tire/Wheel
Rotation And Sensor Replacement
Ð If Equipped.......................256
208 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in N (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal before
starting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system.4WD Models Only
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless of whether
or not the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. This feature
enhances off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to
start when in 4L without having to depress the clutch
pedal. The 4 LO MODE indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the N (Neutral)
or P (Park) position. Apply the brake before shifting to
any driving range.
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.
210 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 211 of 374
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
Extreme Cold Weather
To insure reliable starting at temperatures below ±20ÉF
(±29ÉC), use of an externally powered electric engine
block heater (available from your dealer) is recom-
mended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
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If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold
Weatherº procedures should be repeated.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
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.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord. The engine block
heater cord is found under the hood clipped to the heater
line on the left side of the engine (3.7L only).
212 STARTING AND OPERATING
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²The manual transmission may be equipped with a
ªReverse Blockerº to prevent inadvertent shifts from
5th gear to Reverse. If you experience difficulty shift-
ing into ªReverseº, make sure that you are not inad-
vertently moving the shift lever toward 5th gear when
shifting into ªReverse.º
Recommended Manual Transmission Shifting
Speeds
The manufacturer recommends that you use the shift
speeds listed in the chart below.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
Engine Speeds 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5
2.4L Accel. 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
3.7L Accel. 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
Clutch Interlocking Ignition System
2WD Models Only Ð Manual transmission vehicles are
equipped with a clutch interlock safety feature. The
clutch pedal must be fully depressed to allow cranking of
the engine.
4WD Models Only Ð The exception to this clutch inter-
lock is 4WD models equipped with a manual transmis-
sion. For these models, the clutch interlock feature is
overridden when the vehicle is operated in 4L to enhance
off-road capability. Refer to ªStarting Procedures Ð
Manual Transmission (4WD Models Only)º in this sec-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
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