Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights, and
Headlights
Turn the end of the multi-function control lever to the
first detent for parking lights and instrument panel
lights. Turn to the second detent for headlight operation.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the muti-function control
lever up or down.
NOTE:If the driver's door is left open, and the head-
lights or parking lights are left on, the ªHigh Beam
Indicator Lightº will flash and a chime will sound.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Pull the multi-function control lever towards you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the muti-
function control lever a second time to switch the head-
lights to LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function control lever toward
the steering wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn
on at high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 57
3
WARNING!
To use your brakes and decelerate more safely, follow these
tips:
²Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal.
This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can
cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission
whenever possible.
²Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
²Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up, which
could cause rear wheels to spin and result in loss of vehicle
control. Be especially careful while driving on slippery
roads, in close-quarter maneuvering, parking or stopping.
Remember, always engage 4-wheel drive when driving on
slippery roads.
²Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when
roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up
between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning
action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and
control. Under such conditions, engage 4-wheel drive.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in poor performance and unpredict-
able braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermittent
pedal action while driving at very slow speeds.
WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle han-
dling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
²Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor, and
locate heavier objects as low and as far forward as
possible.
²Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
²Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or become
a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
²The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
²On hardtop models, do not drive with the lift glass
up. On fabric top models, do not drive with the rear
window curtain up unless the side curtains are also
open. This will prevent dangerous exhaust fumes
from entering the vehicle.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING
Don't shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
When driving on soft sand, reduce your tire pressure to
15 psi (103 kPa) minimum to allow greater tire surface
area. You must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces.
NOTE:Reduced tire pressures below 15 psi (103 kPa)
may cause tire unseating and loss of air pressure.
Hill Climbing
Before climbing a steep hill,change transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use
first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift
to R (Reverse). Back up slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine and transmission tohelp regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) or with the clutch
pedal depressed, using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill, always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will
provide fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
²Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
²Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire size
listed on your vehicle's tire label. Using a smaller tire
could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have an accident.
²Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
²Overloading your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for your vehicle - never overload them.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings. Check with your dealer before replacing tires
with a different size.
Alignment And Balance
Tire suspension components of your vehicle should be
inspected and aligned when needed, to obtain maximum
tire tread life.
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
²reduced tread life;
²uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear,
²vehicle pull to the right or to the left.
Tires may also cause your vehicle to pull to the left or
right. Alignment won't correct this condition. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
STARTING AND OPERATING 195
5
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
6
²Get everyone out of the vehicle before you jack it up.
If the jack should fall, someone in the vehicle could be
hurt.
²Block tire diagonally oppo-
site tire to be changed to pre-
vent forward and backward
vehicle movement.
Instructions
1. Remove spare tire, jack and tools from stored location.
2. Before raising vehicle, loosen lug nuts on wheel with
flat tire.
3. Assemble the jack and jacking tools as shown. Connect
jack handle driver (1) to extension (2) then to lug wrench
(3).4. Operate jack from the front or the rear of the vehicle.
Place the jack under the axle tube, as shown.
214 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES