Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-68for more information.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different
positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove the key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
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B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as the
radio in the accessory ignition position may drain the
battery and prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not
operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition
position for a long period of time.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature will allow
certain features on your vehicle to continue to work
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or until one of the doors is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Your vehicle is equipped with Starter Motor Control. This
feature assists in starting the engine and protects the
electrical system. This feature may cause the engine to
crank even after the ignition key is not in START.Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will disengage the starter
motor, cause your battery to be drained much
sooner, and add excessive heat that can damage
your starter motor. Try not to hold the key in START
for longer than 15 seconds and wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
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To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Locate the electrical cord near the front recovery
loop on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
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All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive sends your engine’s driving power to all
four wheels for extra traction. To get the most out of
all-wheel drive, you must be familiar with its operation.
Notice:Driving on pavement in 4HI Lock or
4LO Lock for extended periods may cause
premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain and
tires. Do not drive in 4HI Lock or 4LO Lock on
pavement for extended periods.
Transfer Case Buttons
The transfer case buttons
are located to the right of
the instrument panel
cluster. Use these switches
to shift into and out of the
different all-wheel drive
modes.You can choose between four modes:
G(4HI):This setting is used for driving in most street
and highway situations. You can also use this setting for
light or variable off-road conditions.
H(4HI Lock):Use this mode when you need extra
traction in most off-road situations such as sand, mud,
snow or level, rocky trails.
I(4LO Lock):This mode delivers extra torque to all
four wheels and is used for extreme off-road conditions.
You might choose 4LO Lock if you are driving off-road,
deep sand, mud, or snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.
When in this mode you can also choose to lock the rear
axle for additional traction in extreme off-road situations.
SeeLocking Rear Axle on page 4-10.
Notice:Operating your vehicle in 4LO Lock above
50 mph (80 km/h) for any extended period of time
could cause damage to the transfer case. Do
not operate your vehicle in 4LO Lock above 50 mph
(80 km/h) for extended periods.
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{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-36.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-64orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-64for more information.
Indicator lights in the buttons show which mode you are
in. The indicator lights will come on brie y when you
turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take your vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light will ash while
shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated when
the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer
case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should
take your vehicle to your dealer for service. See “Service
4WD message” underDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-43.Shifting into 4HI or 4HI Lock
With the vehicle traveling less than 40 mph (64 km/h),
press and release the 4HI or 4HI Lock button. The
indicator light will ash while shifting. It will remain lit
when the shift is complete.
It may be necessary to drive backwards for a short
distance of 25 feet (7.5 m) to get the lock feature
to disengage.
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Shifting into 4LO Lock
To shift into 4LO Lock, the ignition must be in RUN and
the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than
2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
The preferred method for shifting into 4LO is to have
your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press
and release the 4LO Lock button. You must wait for
the 4LO Lock indicator light to stop ashing and remain
lit before shifting your transmission in gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the indicator light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the
indicator light stops ashing before putting the
transmission back in gear.
It is normal for your vehicle to have engagement noise
and bump when shifting between 4LO and 4HI
ranges or from NEUTRAL with the engine running.
If the 4LO Lock button is pressed when your vehicle is in
gear and/or moving, the 4LO Lock indicator light will ash
for 15 seconds and not complete the shift unless your
vehicle is moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) and the
transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 15 seconds the
transfer case will return to the setting last chosen.
Shifting Out of 4LO Lock
To shift from 4LO Lock to 4HI or 4HI Lock, your vehicle
must be stopped or moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h)
with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the ignition in
RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of 4LO
Lock is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4HI or 4HI Lock
button. You must wait for the 4HI or 4HI Lock indicator
light to stop ashing and remain lit before shifting your
transmission into gear.
It is normal for your vehicle to have engagement noise
and bump when shifting between 4LO and 4HI
ranges or from NEUTRAL with the engine running.
If the 4HI or 4HI Lock button is pressed when your
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4HI or 4HI Lock
indicator light will ash for 15 seconds but will not
complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving less
than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) and the transmission is in
NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the indicator light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the
indicator light stops ashing before putting the
transmission back in gear.
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Shifting into NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL, do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will
not roll.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
4. Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.
5. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
6. Shift the transfer case to 4HI.
7. Simultaneously press and hold the 4HI and
4LO Lock buttons for 10 seconds. The red
NEUTRAL light will come on when the transfer case
shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Release the parking brake prior to towing.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case out of NEUTRAL, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (4HI, 4HI Lock or 4LO Lock).
4. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the red light will go out.
5. You may start the engine and shift the transmission
to the desired position.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the indicator light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the
indicator light stops ashing before putting the
transmission back in gear.
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