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Range Inhibit Warning Indicator
If your vehicle has an Allison 1000/2200/2300/2500
series automatic transmission, a lighted bar under the
current gear selected will flash.
If your vehicle has an Allison 3000/3500 series
automatic transmission, the current gear selected on the
pushbutton display will flash.
The flashing bar or gear selection indicates that
transmission range shifts may not occur.
For detailed information on shift inhibit limitations, see
the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual in
your vehicle for further information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle has either hydraulic or air brakes. Each
system has different warning lights.
Hydraulic Brake System Warning
Lights
Vehicles with hydraulic brake systems have two brake
system warning lights on the instrument panel.
If the BRAKE system
warning light comes on, it
means that the fluid
level in the master cylinder
reservoir is low or there
is another problem
with your hydraulic brakes.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
The BRAKE system warning light may come on, and the
warning tone may sound, when you’re turning and
braking at the same time. This is normal. See “Hydraulic
Brake Systems” underBraking on page 4-6.
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If the service brakes soon
warning light comes on, it
means there may be
something wrong in the
brake system.
When this light comes on, you will also hear a warning
tone. Have the system repaired immediately.
Both of these lights should come on briefly every time
you start your engine. If they don’t come on then,
have them fixed so they will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem. If one or both of these warning lights
stay on after you start the engine, there could be a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
If one or both of these lights come on while you are
driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to push, or the pedal
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the BRAKE light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-37. See
“Hydraulic Brake Systems” underBraking on page 4-6
for further information.Parking Brake Warning Light
This light will also come on when you set the parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully.
Air Brake System Warning Light
Vehicles with air brake systems have a brake system
warning light on the instrument panel.
The LOW AIR warning light should come on, as a
check, whenever you start the engine. However, it is
designed to come on, and stay on, when brake reservoir
pressure has dropped below 60 psi (410 kPa).
United StatesCanada
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When the warning light comes on while you are driving,
you should drive only as far as the nearest point of
safety and then stop the vehicle. Here’s a very important
thing for you to know:
{CAUTION:
If the air brake system warning light comes on
and the warning tone sounds, the vehicle can
stop suddenly and without further warning.
This is because the parking brake will come on
if the pressure falls below 35 to 45 psi (240 to
310 kPa). You or others could be injured. If the
air brake system warning light comes on and
the warning tone sounds, stop as soon as you
can. You will not know how quickly the system
is losing pressure, so be aware that the
parking brake may come on suddenly.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when you start your
engine, then it will turn
off. This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the BRAKE or LOW
AIR warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but
you do not have the anti-lock brake feature. If the
BRAKE and/or LOW AIR warning light is on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-33andAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-8for more information.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If
the light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle is connected
to a trailer with anti-lock
brakes, this light should
come on briefly, as a
check, when you turn on
the ignition.
When this light comes on and stays on, it means there
is something wrong in the trailer anti-lock brake
system. Have the system repaired immediately.
If an anti-lock brake system equipped trailer is not
connected, this light is not functional.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
coolant might have overheated and your engine may be
too hot. You should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-40. If you have a
Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your Caterpillar®
Operation & Maintenance Manual.
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Transmission Temperature Gage
If you have an automatic
transmission and this
gage, it is located above
the switchbank in the
center of the instrument
panel.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission oil. A reading in the
warning zone, the red area beginning at 300°F (150°C),
means you must stop driving and check into the
cause. One possible cause is a low oil level in the
transmission.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service.
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light
If your vehicle is equipped
with an exhaust brake, you
will have this light,
located above the climate
controls in the center
of the instrument panel.
The exhaust brake indicator light will come on and stay
on whenever the diesel engine exhaust brake or
exhaust restrictor is active. For more information, see
Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake on page 2-27andExhaust
Restrictor (Engine Warm-Up) on page 2-22.
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Air Pressure Gage
If your vehicle has air
brakes, the air pressure
gage is located above the
switchbank in the center
of the instrument panel.
This gage shows the air pressure for both your front
and rear brake systems.
If the needle on the gage indicates that the air pressure
is below 60 to 75 psi (415 to 517 kPa), the low air
warning light will come on. An alarm will also sound if
this happens.
The top pointer shows the pressure available for the
front system, while the bottom pointer shows pressure
for the rear. There should be no more than 4 psi
(28 kPa) difference showing between the systems.
Don’t drive until both pointers are showing at least
120 psi (827 kPa), so you’ll have enough air if you need
to apply your brakes.
Hourmeter Gage
To access the engine hourmeter gage, press the trip
odometer button three times.
The instrument panel cluster displays the accumulated
engine run time hours using the reconfigurable
odometer display. The engine run time hours displays
only when the ignition is in the LOCK or ACCESSORY
position and the trip reset button is pressed for about
four seconds. The value of the accumulated hours does
not change when the battery is disconnected.
The hourmeter resets to 0.0 when 10,000 hours are
accumulated. The instrument panel cluster begins
to reaccumulate the engine run time hours from
0.0 hours.
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Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
•Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
•Familiarize yourself with its operation.
•Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the GM radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional
equipment is added to your vehicle, the chimes may
not work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it.
Setting the Time
Press and hold the HR (down) or MIN (up) arrow for
two seconds. Then press HR until the correct hour
appears on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears on the display. The time can be
set with the ignition on or off.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Hydraulic Brake Systems.................................4-7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-8
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve....................4-10
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control..................4-11
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-12
Steering......................................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-16
Loss of Control.............................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-18Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-20
City Driving..................................................4-23
Freeway Driving...........................................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-26
Winter Driving..............................................4-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Tow Hooks..................................................4-33
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-34
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-36
Towing..........................................................4-37
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-37
Trailer Connections.......................................4-39
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1