Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2
21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a prob-
lem is detected the light will come on while
the engine is running. Cycle the ignition key
when the vehicle has completely stopped and the gear
selector is placed in the PARK position. The light
should turn off. If the light remains lit with the engine
running your vehicle will usually be drivable, how-
ever, see your dealer for service as soon as possible. If
the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle or en-
gine stall and your vehicle may require towing. The
light will come on when the ignition is first turned on
and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does
not come on during starting, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light—If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pres-
sure label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.
148 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
23. Voltage Light
This light monitors the electrical system volt-
age. The light should turn on momentarily as
the engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on
while driving, it indicates a problem with the charging
system. Immediate service should be obtained.
24. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the key is in the ON
position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the lightstays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See
page 295 for more information.)
25. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the
engine is started. If the light turns on while driving,
stop the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as
possible. A single chime will sound when this light
turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked using the procedure
shown in section 7. (See page 298 for more information.)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 149
4
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the
upper part of the cluster between the speedometer and
tachometer. Vehicles equipped with steering wheel
mounted buttons (described in this section) are also
equipped with the EVIC. The EVIC consists of the
following:
•System Status
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Tire Pressure Monitor System (if equipped)
•Personal Settings (customer programmable features)
•Compass display
•Outside temperature display
•Trip computer functions
•UConnect™hands-free communication system dis-
plays (if equipped)
•Navigation system screens (if equipped)
•Audio mode display
The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons mounted on the steering
wheel:
Press and release the MENU button and the
mode displayed will change between Trip
Functions, Navigation (if equipped), System
Status, Personal Settings, and Telephone (if
equipped).
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
MENU
Button
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
•Memory System Disabled–Vehicle Not In Park (with
a single chime)
•Memory System Disabled–Seat Belt Buckled (with a
single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Available–Vehicle Not in Park
•Left/Right Front Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
•Left/Right Rear Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
•Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Trunk Ajar (with a single chime)
•Low Washer Fluid (with a single chime)
•Adjustable Pedals Disabled–Cruise Engaged (with a
single chime)—only available on vehicles equipped
with memory seats.
•Adjustable Pedals Disabled–Vehicle In Reverse (with
a single chime)—only available on vehicles equipped
with memory seats.
•Channel 1, 2, OR 3 Transmit
•Channel 1, 2, OR 3 Training
•Channel 1, 2, OR 3 Trained
•Clearing Channels
•Channels Cleared
•Channels Defaulted
•Did Not Train
•Left Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Starting And Operating, Tire Section”
•Left Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Starting And Operating, Tire Section”
•Right Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to“Starting And Operating, Tire Section”
•Right Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to“Starting And Operating, Tire Section”
•Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
“Starting And Operating, Tire Section”
152 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................208
▫Normal Starting......................208
Engine Block Heater—If Equipped........210
Transmission Shifting...................210
▫4 Speed Automatic Transmission..........210
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........215
▫Automatic Transmission—
General Information...................220
AutoStick—If Equipped................222
▫AutoStick Operation...................222
Parking Brake.........................223
Brake System.........................225▫Anti-Lock Brake System................225
Power Steering........................228
Multi Displacement System (MDS) -
5.7L Engine Only
......................229
All Wheel Drive—If Equipped...........229
Self–Sealing Tires—If Equipped..........229
Tire Pressure Monitor System—If Equipped. 230
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Base System.....230
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Premium System . 231
▫General Information...................234
Tire Safety Information..................234
▫Tire Markings........................234
5
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........238
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........239
Ti re s—General Information...............243
▫Tire Pressure.........................243
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................244
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................246
▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........246
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........247
▫Tire Spinning........................247
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................248
▫Life Of Tire.........................249
▫Replacement Tires.....................249
▫Alignment And Balance.................250
Tire Chains...........................251
Snow Tires...........................252
Tire Rotation Recommendations...........252
Fuel Requirements.....................253
▫2.7L Engines.........................253
▫3.5L And 5.7L Engines..................253
▫Spark Knock.........................254
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................254
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............254
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................255
▫Materials Added To Fuel................255
▫Fuel System Cautions..................256
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............256
Adding Fuel..........................257
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............257
Vehicle Loading.......................260
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............260
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......260
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........260
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
MULTI DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) - 5.7L
Engine Only
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine’s eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:The MDS system may take some time to return
to full functionality after a battery disconnect.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE—IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
with Antilock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control. The
front wheels provide 38% of the torque, and the rear
wheels provide 62% of the torque. The system is auto-
matic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills
required.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
SELF–SEALING TIRES—IF EQUIPPED
A non-hardening viscous sealant applied to the inner
liner of each tire fills punctures up to 0.19 in. (5 mm) to
minimize the loss of air pressure. This contributes to the
safety of the vehicle by significantly reducing the prob-
ability of a roadside stop due to a flat tire.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
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