AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride comfort, vehicle
handling and general vehicle performance by adjusting the vehicle ’ s ride
height according to vehicle speed, weight added to or removed from the
vehicle and four-wheel drive (if equipped) operation. Normal vehicle
operation does not require any action by the driver.
When you enter the vehicle and the ignition is off, the air suspension will
have automatically lowered the vehicle to its lowest height to provide
easier entry. When a door or the liftgate is opened, the system
memorizes and maintains that height until either all doors are closed or
the vehicle ’ s speed exceeds 24 km/h (15 mph). The air suspension
system will then raise the vehicle ’ s height to its normal position when the
ignition is turned on, all doors are closed and the transmission is shifted
from P (Park).
When the vehicle is in motion, the air suspension will adjust the vehicle
ride height to normal operating position to maximize your ride comfort.
If your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and you shift into 4WD
LOW, the air suspension will not move to it ’ s lowest position; instead, the
ride height is raised above the normal ride height position (at speeds
below 40 km/h [25 mph]) to improve ground clearance.
If a load is added to, or removed from the vehicle, the load leveling
feature of the air suspension system will adjust the suspension to keep
the vehicle at a constant level.
When exiting the vehicle, the air suspension will automatically lower the
vehicle to its lowest height to provide easier exit. You may hear a buzz or
click from the air suspension system when the ignition is turned off. The
air suspension system will stay active for 40 minutes after the ignition is
turned off to accommodate any load changes. (The air compressor may
run when the vehicle is off; this is normal.)
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located behind two access panels on
the left rear quarter trim panel, near
the liftgate. To remove the first
panel, turn the control
counterclockwise and remove the
panel.
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Do not alter or modify your vehicle ’ s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle ’ s handling can adversely affect
the Roll Stability Control system. Also, do not install a stereo
loudspeaker near the front center console or under either front
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the Roll
Stability Control sensors located in this area.
Note: Pressing the Roll Stability Control button will disable the Roll
Stability Control.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an Roll Stability Control
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle ’ s brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer
to Fuses and relays in the Roadside emergencies chapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to LOCK, then remove the
key.
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4. Press and hold the white button
located along side the shifter
housing assembly (as shown in the
illustration). Press the gearshift
lever release on the shifter knob and
move the gearshift lever back to N
(Neutral) (two places rearward from
P [Park]).
5. Start the vehicle and release the
parking brake.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4 – speed automatic transmission
Your vehicle ’ s automatic transmission is equipped with a special shift
strategy that insures maximum heater performance during cold weather
operation.
When ambient temperature is – 5 ° C (23 ° F) or below and the engine
coolant temperature is below 38 ° C (100 ° F), light throttle upshifts may
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be slightly delayed. Once the engine coolant temperature reaches 71 ° C
(160 ° F) the normal shift strategy will resume. This is normal operation
and will not affect the function or the durability of the transmission.
If the normal shift strategy does not resume once the engine
coolant temperature reaches the normal operating temperature,
or if the downshifts and other throttle conditions do not function
normally, see your dealer or a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.
Understanding gearshift positions
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the
key whenever you leave your
vehicle. P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
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R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four. P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
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(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch (TCS) on the end of the
gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
Drive – Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch (TCS) on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift
in the position. The TCIL will illuminate in the instrument cluster.
Transmission operates in gears one through three. (Drive) provides
more engine braking than (Overdrive) and is useful when:
• driving with a heavy load.
• towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
• additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer
to Driving while you tow in the Trailer towing section.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control switch
(TCS). The TCIL will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired. P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
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2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower gear,
and will shift to 1 (Low) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in (Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The
transmission will downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first
gear.
Shift strategy (4R100 automatic transmission)
To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your 4R100
automatic transmission electronically controls the shift quality by using
an adaptive learning strategy. The adaptive learning strategy is
maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected
or a new battery is installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers
(miles) of operation.
If the shift quality does not improve within a few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation, or if the downshifts and other P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
P
R
N
D
2
1
O
D
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throttle conditions do not function normally, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac , it may be beneficial to
turn the system off so the wheels are allowed to spin.
EXTENDED REAR PARK ASSIST
The extended rear park assist system sounds a tone to warn the driver
of obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) gear is selected.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the extended rear park assist system as contained
in this section. The park assist is only an aid for some (generally large
and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at “ parking
speeds ” . Inclement weather may also affect the function of the system;
this may include reduced performance or a false activation.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in R
(Reverse) and when using the extended rear park assist.
This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting objects to avoid damaging the vehicle.
The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly those close to
the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
The system will assist the driver in detecting certain objects while the
vehicle slowly moves in reverse at speeds less than 10 km/h (6 mph).
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