“TRACTION SYS DISABLED” message will be displayed
in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
Refer to Section 4 of this manual.
To turn the system back ON, press the switch a second
time, until the “Traction Control Indicator Light” turns
off.When the Traction Control System has been turned off
using the switch, a feature of the system remains active.
This feature functions similar to a limited slip differential
and controls the wheel spin across an axle. If one wheel
on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the system
will apply the brake of the spinning wheel and allow
more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not
spinning.
NOTE:
•The “Traction Control Indicator Light” comes on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
This will occur even if you used the switch to turn the
system OFF.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the Traction
Control System will be ON even if it was turned OFF
previously.
•The Traction Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is active.
Traction Control Switch
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)— IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded. The
ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydroplan-
ing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESP-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) enhances directional
control and reduces driving wheel spin of the vehicle
under various driving conditions.ESP corrects for over/understeering of the vehicle by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel. Engine torque
is also limited. The “ESP Indicator Light,” located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose
traction and the ESP system becomes active.ESP Indicator Light
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
than the other, the system will apply the brake of the
spinning wheel and allow more engine torque to be
applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
it may be desirable to switch off the ESP by pressing the
ESP switch.
With the ESP switched off, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are cancelled. Therefore, the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
If the “ESP Indicator Light” begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions. When the “ESP
Indicator Light” is illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off. To return to the enhanced vehicle stability
offered by ESP, press the ESP switch (the “ESP IndicatorLight” in the instrument cluster goes out). Avoid spin-
ning one drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to
the drive train.
NOTE:
•The “ESP Indicator Light” comes on momentarily each
time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active.
There are two Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages associated with the Electronic Stability
Control System. Refer to Section 4 of this manual.
ESP System Disabled
This message will be displayed if the ESP System has
been turned off using the switch, or if there is a tempo-
rary condition that will result in partial or no ESP
126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
left “D(-)” and hold it there. The transmission will shift to
the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed
down.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth speed (Overdrive).
The transmission will automatically shift from 3rd gear to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
•the transmission selector is in D (Drive);
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
•the “TOW/HAUL” button has not been activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough, the “TRANSMISSION
OVER TEMP” message may display and the transmis-
sion may downshift out of Overdrive until the transmis-
sion cools down. After cooldown, the transmission will
resume normal operation.
In high ambient temperatures with sustained high engine
speed and load, an upshift followed shortly thereafter by
236 STARTING AND OPERATING
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy is included
in all automatic transmissions. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically at a calibrated speed at
light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under heavier
acceleration. This may result in a slightly different feeling
or response during normal operation in high gear. When
the vehicle speed drops below a calibrated speed, or
during acceleration, the clutch automatically and
smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in Over-
drive and in Drive.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Manually shifting between 3 (third gear) and 4 (fourthgear) positions (using the ERS shift control) will demon-
strate that the transmission is able to shift into and out of
Overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
Rocking the Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between D (Drive) and R (Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Traction Control (if equipped) should be turned OFF
before attempting to rock the vehicle. Refer to Section 3 of
this manual.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector in N (Neutral) for at least one minute after every
five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Quadra-Trac IOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac Iis a single speed (HI range only)
transfer case which provides convenient full-time
4–wheel drive. No driver interaction is required. This
transfer case divides engine torque almost evenly with 48
percent of engine torque to the front axle and 52 percent
of engine torque to the rear axle. The Brake Traction
Control System (BTC), which combines standard ABS
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5
and Traction Control, provides resistance to any wheel
that is slipping to allow additional torque transfer to
wheels with traction.
NOTE:The Quadra-Trac Isystem is not appropriate
for conditions where LOW range is recommended. Refer
to “Off-Road Driving Tips” in this section.
Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac IItransfer case is fully automatic in the
normal driving 4 HI mode. The Quadra-Trac IItransfer
case provides three mode positions — four wheel drive
high range, neutral, and four wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4 HI mode.
This transfer case divides engine torque almost evenly
with 48 percent of engine torque to the front axle and 52
percent of engine torque to the rear axle. When speed
differences are increased between the front and rear driveshafts, the transfer case can transmit up to 100 percent of
available engine torque to the front or rear drive shafts.
When additional traction is required, the 4 LOW position
can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts together
and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. The 4 LOW position is intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4 LOW position on dry
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4 LOW, the engine speed
is approximately three times that of the 4 HI position at a
given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine
and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
the EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
Section 4 of this manual.
Quadra-DriveSystem — If Equipped
The optional Quadra-DriveSystem features three
torque transfer couplings. The couplings include ELSD
(Electronic Limited Slip Differential) front and rear axles
and Quadra-Trac IItransfer case. The optional ELSD
axles are fully automatic and require no driver input to
operate. Under normal driving conditions the units func-
tion as standard axles balancing torque evenly between
left and right wheels. With a traction difference between
left and right wheels the coupling will sense a speed
difference. As one wheel begins to spin faster than the
other, torque will automatically transfer from the wheel
that has less traction to the wheel that has traction. While
the transfer case and axle couplings differ in design, theiroperation is similar. Follow the Quadra-Trac IItransfer
case shifting information, preceding this section, for
shifting this system.PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light.
NOTE:The instrument cluster “Brake Warning Light”
indicates only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not indicate the degree of brake application.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING