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On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn the air
suspension and the ignition switch off prior to jacking, hoisting
or towing your vehicle.
To remove the second panel, press
the tab down to unlock the access
panel.
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Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
ROLL STABILITY CONTROL STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
The Roll Stability Control system provides a stability enhancement
feature as well as a traction enhancement feature. It helps your vehicle
maintain traction, when driving on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces, by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. Excessive wheel spin is controlled
by momentarily reducing engine power and rapidly applying the anti-lock
brakes. The system is a driver aid which makes your vehicle easier to
handle primarily on snow and ice-covered roads.
If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the Roll Stability Control system off by pressing the Roll Stability Control
button. This will allow your tires to “ dig ” for traction.
If the Roll Stability Control system is activated and deactivated
excessively in a short period of time, the brake portion of the system will
shut down to allow the brakes to cool down. A limited Roll Stability
Control function using only engine power reduction will still help control
the wheels from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the
system will again function normally. Anti-lock braking is not affected by
this condition and will function normally during the cool-down period.
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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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2. Using a smooth, non-metallic tool
(such as a plastic screwdriver, or
equivalent) between the shift lever
boot and the plastic bezel, pry the
bezel assembly away from its locking
tabs. Use caution not to damage
the plastic bezel assembly or
shift lever boot when prying the
bezel assembly from the locking
tabs.
3. Pull the bezel assembly up far
enough to expose the inside of the
gearshift lever compartment.
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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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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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Positions of the Control Trac system
The Control Trac system functions
in four modes:
• 2H (2WD HIGH) delivers power
to the rear wheels only. This is
appropriate for normal on-road
driving on dry pavement.
• A4WD (4X4 AUTO) provides
electronic control four-wheel
drive with power delivered to all
four wheels, as required, for
increased traction. This is appropriate for all on-road driving
conditions, such as dry road surfaces, wet pavement, snow or gravel.
• 4H (4X4 HIGH) provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive power
to front and rear wheels. The “ 4X4 ” light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster when this position is selected. This position is not
recommended for use on dry pavement. This position is only intended
for severe winter or off-road conditions, such as deep snow, ice or
shallow sand.
• 4L (4X4 LOW) provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive when
extra power at reduced speeds is required. The “ 4X4 LOW ” light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster when this position is selected.
This position is not recommended for use on dry pavement. Use this
position for off-road low-speed operation or when extra power is
required, such as climbing steep grades, going through deep sand or
pulling a boat out of the water.
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac , the
AdvanceTrac system will automatically turn off the stability
enhancement feature when you shift the Control Trac A4WD system into
4L (4X4 LOW). The brake traction enhancement feature will still be
enabled.
The AdvanceTrac stability enhancement system can be turned off
manually by pressing the AdvanceTrac button (refer to AdvanceTrac
Stability Enhancement System in this chapter) while operating in 2H,
A4WD or 4H while driving in deep sand, very deep snow or more
strenuous off-road maneuvers. This will disable the engine management
feature, allowing the vehicle to maintain full power and enhanced
momentum through the obstacle.
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