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Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal and the
parking brake firmly applied, turn your 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 cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and
try again to start the engine by turning the
ignition key to START. Wait about 15 seconds
between each try.
When your engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not
run your engine at high speeds when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C),
let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for your shift
lever. Push in the button
on top of the shift lever
when shifting into position.
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PARK (P):The engine can be started in this position.
This position prevents the rear wheels from turning
and so should be selected, together with the parking
brake, when leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-24. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You must have your foot on the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in ON. The vehicle will not shift from
PARK (P) if the button is pressed before the brake is
applied. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever, push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P), and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the desired gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-25.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-28.
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After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on may damage the transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:
•The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C),
•you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
•you are 21 percent throttle or less.
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) on
page 3-26andTrip Computer on page 3-33for more
information.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle without pressing the release button. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button
in as you move the brake handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
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