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PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the BRAKE warning light in the instrument
cluster will light.
NOTE:The BRAKE warning light indicates only that
the parking brake is applied. It does not indicate the
degree of brake application.
NOTE:If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is
in motion, the BRAKE warning light will flash and a
chime will sound.
Before leaving the vehicle parked on a hill, you must
make sure the parking brake is fully applied and place
the gear selector in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission) or first gear (manual transmission). Make
certain the transfer case is in gear. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
STARTING AND OPERATING 175
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WARNING!
²Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury. Also be certain to leave a
automatic transmission in P (Park), or a manual
transmission in 1st gear. Make certain the transfer
case is in gear. Failure to do so may cause the
vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
²If the parking brake is released, and the BRAKE
warning light glows while the ignition switch is
ON or the engine is running, there may be a brake
system problem. Brake pedal travel, effort and
stopping distances may increase, and you should
obtain corrective service immediately.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in P (Park), other-
wise the load on the transmission locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of P (Park).
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
²Leaving children unattended in a vehicle 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 or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate controls or move the vehicle.
To release the parking brake, pull up slightly, press center
button, then lower lever completely.
176 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and transfer case to
4L (Low) range. Let the vehicle go slowly down the hill
with all four wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle speed
and direction.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After driving off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and propeller shafts.
²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake drums, brake
linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon
as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may
cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You
might not have full braking power when you need it
to prevent an accident. If you have been operating
your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes
checked and cleaned as necessary.
²If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels will correct
the situation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 183
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NOTE:Refer to ªRecommended Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Partsº in Section 7 for axle differential
lubrication specifications for towing.
SNOW PLOW
Snow plowsshould notbe added to the front end of your
vehicle.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neu-
tral) for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or de-
press clutch pedal on manual transmission.
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
4. Start engine.
5. Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or manual
transmission into gear.
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6. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
7. Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the
unlocked OFF position.
8. Shift automatic transmission into P (Park).
9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11. Release parking brake.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into P (Park) with the transfer case
in N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is
off prior to shifting the transmission into P (Park)
(refer to steps7±8above).
Shifting Out Of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Shift automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or de-
press clutch pedal on manual transmission.
2. Shift transfer case lever into desired position.
3. Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or release
clutch on manual transmissions.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral)
on automatic transmission equipped vehicles, turning
the engine off may be required to avoid gear clash.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Spare Tire Location
To remove the spare tire from the carrier, remove the tire
cover, if equipped, and remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench turning them counterclockwise. If equipped with
an anti-theft lug nut (A), use the ªKeyº (B) and the lug
wrench. The ªKeyº is stored in the glove box.
NOTE:If you have added aftermarket accessories to the
spare tire mounted carrier, it cannot exceed a gross
weight of 50 lbs (23 kg) including the weight of the spare
tire.
Tire Changing Procedures
WARNING!
You can be injured or killed if you try to change a
wheel too close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
Preparation
²
Park on a firm, level surface well off the road, to
provide ample work space. Place automatic transmis-
sion in P (Park), or manual transmission in R (Re-
verse), and stop engine. Set parking brake firmly and
activate hazard warning flasher.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 213
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Set the parking brake, place an automatic transmission in
P (Park) (or N (Neutral) for a manual transmission). Turn
off lights, heater, and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator in the battery. If indicator is light or
yellow, replace the battery.
CAUTION!
Use the ªJump Startingº procedure only when the
charge indicator is dark in the center. Do not attempt
jump starting when the battery charge indicator is
bright or yellow. If the charge indicator is dark and
has a green dot in the center, failure to start is not
due to a discharged battery and the cranking system
should be checked.
1. Attach one end of the jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the discharged battery and the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the booster
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to the
negative terminal of the booster battery. Connect the
other end of the jumper cable to a good ground on the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a good
connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 217
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NWindshield Washers...................238
NExhaust System......................238
NCooling System.......................239
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......242
NBrake System........................243
NAutomatic Transmission................245
NHydraulic Clutch Fluid Ð
Manual Transmission..................246
NManual Transmission..................246
NTransfer Case........................247
NFront/Rear Axle Fluid..................248
NAppearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................248mFuse Panel...........................254
NInterior Fuses........................254
NUnderhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............256
mVehicle Storage........................256
mReplacement Bulbs Ð If Equipped.........257
mFluid Capacities.......................258
mRecommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts
.........................259
NEngine.............................259
NChassis............................260
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE