
Ignition Positions
With your key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions.
A (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off. To get into ACCESSORY,
push in the key and turn it toward you. Your steering
wheel will remain locked, just as it was before you
inserted the key.
B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It does not lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off.
D (RUN):This is the position for driving.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
Engine Starter Over-Crank
Protection
Your vehicle may have an engine starter over-crank
protection system. If the starter motor overheats and
shuts off due to over-cranking, the motor must cool down
before it will reset and allow starter operation. It can take
up to six minutes before the starter will work again.
Starting the Gasoline Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter for your
engine. SeeVehicle Identi cation Number (VIN) on
page 5-87. Follow the proper steps to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, seeStarting the Diesel Engine
on page 2-14.
2-12

If the system senses low engine coolant, the five beat
per second alarm and the low coolant warning light
will come on.
The five beats per second tone alarm means that your
engine will shut down in about 25 to 30 seconds.
There is also an engine shutdown light to indicate that
the engine will shut down. SeeEngine Shutdown
Warning Light on page 3-39.
Pull off the road and shut off the engine. Do not start it
until the reason for the problem is known, and the
problem is fixed. If the engine shuts down when you are
still in traffic, you can restart the engine and get
another 25 to 30 seconds of operation. Do this only if
you have to, since there is a problem that can harm the
engine if it is not fixed. Engine automatic shutdown,
for gasoline engines, requires activation by your dealer.
Notice:If you try to operate the vehicle after the
engine automatically shuts down, you may damage
the vehicle. Have your vehicle repaired as soon
as possible.High Idle System
(Caterpillar
®Diesel/Gasoline Engine)
Automatic High Idle System
(Diesel Engines)
The automatic high idle feature will engage whenever
you start your vehicle and the engine is below the preset
operating temperature. This will help decrease engine
warm-up time.
Idle speed will then return to normal under any of the
following conditions:
•The engine reaches the preset operating
temperature or has been operating for at least
10 minutes.
•The brake pedal is pressed.
•The manual transmission clutch pedal is pressed
or, the automatic transmission (if equipped) is
shifted from NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
•The vehicle speed exceeds about 5 mph (8 km/h).
•The throttle is pressed.
2-19

Manual High Idle System
If your vehicle has this
feature, the manual high
idle switch is located in
the instrument panel
switchbank.
This system can be used to increase your engine idle
speed whenever the following conditions are met:
•The brake pedal is not pressed.
•The vehicle speed is below about 5 mph (8 km/h)
for vehicles with diesel engines. The vehicle must
not be moving and the accelerator must not be
pressed for vehicles with gasoline engines.
•The manual transmission (if equipped) clutch pedal
is not pressed or, the automatic transmission
(if equipped) is in NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).The manual high idle feature is activated by pressing
the switch on the instrument panel. When the switch is
pressed again, or any of the previous conditions are
not met, manual high idle will be deactivated.
The manual high idle has been preset at the factory.
Your dealer may change the setting to fit your needs.
For vehicles with Caterpillar
®diesel engines, manual
high idle can be used to set any desired high idle speed.
To set a new temporary engine idle speed do the
following:
1. Make sure all of the previously described
conditions are met.
2. Press the accelerator pedal to the desired
engine speed.
3. Momentarily press the manual high idle switch.
The temporary high idle speed will be set. This new high
idle rpm level will be remembered by the system until
either the ignition is turned to OFF or a new high idle
speed is set.
2-20

Windshield Washer
L(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked with the
windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction
lever. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, press
the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and
then either stop or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has this
feature, it is located at
the end of the
multifunction lever.
T(Set):Pressing in this button at the end of the
lever sets the cruise control speed.
9(Off):Moving the switch to this position turns off
the cruise control.
R(On):Moving the switch to this position turns on the
cruise control.
S(Resume/Accelerate):Moving the switch to this
position turns on resume/accelerate.
3-10

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about 30 mph (48 km/h) or more, you
can move the cruise control switch briefly from on to
resume/accelerate.
The vehicle will return to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate, the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or
apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, don’t
hold the switch at resume/accelerate.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
•Move the cruise switch from on to
resume/accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to
the speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briefly to resume/accelerate. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-12

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle
has been driven since you last set the trip odometer
to zero.
While the engine is running, press the reset button,
located to the right of the trip odometer, to toggle
between the trip odometer and the regular odometer.
Holding the reset button for two seconds while the
engine is running and the trip odometer is displayed, will
reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
The hourmeter gage is accessed through the trip
odometer, for more information seeHourmeter Gage on
page 3-44.
Tachometer
This gage shows the safe operating range for the
engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).
Engine Speed Limiter
All engines have electronic engine speed limiting. The
engine limited speeds range between
2,900 and 4,400 rpm depending on engine option
content.7.2L Caterpillar
®
Diesel Engine and
7.8L DURAMAX®
Diesel Engines
Gasoline and
6.6L DURAMAX®
Diesel Engines
3-26

Low Oil Level Light
This light should come on
as a check, when you start
your engine. If the light
fails to come on, have it
repaired as soon as
possible so you will be
aware when the oil level
is low.
If this light comes on and stays on, it means your
engine is low on oil. You need to check the oil level
right away. SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
on page 5-22orEngine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel) on
page 5-22orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-26
for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Light
The change engine oil light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have
it serviced.
If the change engine oil light comes on and stays on
after you start the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information on when to change engine oil
for gasoline engines or DURAMAX
®diesel engines,
seeEngine Oil (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on page 5-22
orEngine Oil (DURAMAX®Diesel) on page 5-22or
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-26and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5. To reset the
change engine oil light, seeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-29orEngine Oil Life
System (DURAMAX
®Diesel) on page 5-31orEngine
Oil Life System (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-32.
3-38

If your vehicle has dual fuel tanks, the reading on the
gage is the total fuel left in both tanks.
Here are four concerns of some operators. None of
these shows a problem with your fuel gage:
•The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
•The gage does not go back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
•At the gas station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your
Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual.
Water in Fuel Warning Light
If your vehicle has the 6.6L
or 7.8L DURAMAX®diesel
engine, this light will
come on to warn you that
there is water in the
fuel system.
For more information on how this light works, seeWater
in Fuel on page 5-10.
Air Filter Restriction Indicator
If your vehicle has this
feature, the gage is
located above the
switchbank in the center of
the instrument panel. It
monitors the engine
air filter.
As the filter gets dirty, the yellow indicator will begin to
rise. When it reaches 25 inches of vacuum on the
scale, the filter should be replaced.
After replacing the filter, reset the gage by pressing in
the yellow reset button at the bottom of the gage.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your
Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual.
3-43