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Diesel Fuel-Water Separator
A diesel fuel-water separator separates the water nor-
mally found in diesel fuel. A manual hand prime pump is
located on the filter head for re-priming the fuel system.
The fuel-water separator is located on the driver side
cowl in the engine compartment. Refer to “2.8L Turbo
Diesel Engine Compartment” in Section 7 for location.
NOTE:If the “Water-In-Fuel Warning Light” (located in
the instrument cluster) comes on, this indicates that
water has collected in the fuel filter and should be
drained immediately. See your authorized dealer for
service.Should your vehicle run out of fuel, the fuel system must
be re-primed in order to start the engine. Factors such as
temperature, which affects the viscosity of the fuel, how
long the vehicle has been sitting and other factors will
influence how quickly the engine starts.
Re-Priming the Diesel Fuel System
The following procedure must be followed after com-
pletely running out of fuel.
1. Add a minimum of 2 gallons (7.57L) of diesel fuel to
the fuel tank.
2. Open the hood.
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3. Depress the fuel-water separator knob 20 consecutive
times.
4. Turn the ignition to START and crank the engine a
maximum of 10 seconds. If the engine does not start,
repeat Step 3.NOTE:The engine will typically start within 10 sec-
onds; the engine will idle then stall, purging air from the
fuel lines and filter.
5. Depress the fuel-water separator knob 20 consecutive
times.
6. Turn the ignition to START and crank the engine a
maximum of 10 seconds. The engine should start and
remain running.
NOTE:If the engine does not start, repeat the cycle as
many times as necessary.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord. The engine block
heater cord is found under the hood clipped to the heater
line on the left side of the engine (3.7L only).Hand Prime Pump
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WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
6-Speed Manual Transmission
Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE:The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in R (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the ON
position.Manual Shift Controls
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WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
•Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
•Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
•Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
•Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
•When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
•Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
•During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
•Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
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•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between a
forward gear and reverse, do not spin wheels faster than
15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
Recommended Manual Transmission Shifting
Speeds
The manufacturer recommends that you use the shift
speeds listed in the chart below.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
En-
gineSpeeds 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
2.4L Accel. 14 (23)24
(39)34
(55)46
(74)57
(92)
Cruise 11 (18)19
(31)27
(43)38
(61)45
(72)
3.7L Accel. 15 (24) 24
(39)34
(55)47
(76)56
(90)
Cruise 10 (16) 19
(31)27
(43)37
(60)41
(66)
Clutch Interlocking Ignition System
2WD Models Only — Manual transmission vehicles are
equipped with a clutch interlock safety feature. The
clutch pedal must be fully depressed to allow cranking of
the engine.
4WD Models Only — The exception to this clutch inter-
lock is 4WD models equipped with a manual transmis-
sion. For these models, the clutch interlock feature is
overridden when the vehicle is operated in 4L to enhance
off-road capability. Refer to “Starting Procedures —
Manual Transmission (4WD Models Only)” in this sec-
tion.
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Automatic Transmission
Shifting from D (Drive) to P (Park) or R (Reverse) (or
from P or R to D) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
shift lever between these gears.WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI), which holds the gearshift lever
in the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
OFF position. To move the gear selector lever out of the
P (Park) position, turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, and press the brake pedal and the button on the
front of the shifter handle.
Automatic Shift Controls
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Gear Ranges
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
place the gear selector in the P (Park) position first, and
then apply the parking brake.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
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The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you must
turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, damage
to the steering column or shifter could result.
R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking the
vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this position.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, coasting, or otherwise driv-
ing with the transmission in N (Neutral) can cause severe
damage to the transmission.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle.
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