
12. ABS Warning Light This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual.
This light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
approximately 3 seconds. If this light remains on or
comes on during driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that
service is required. See your authorized dealer immedi-
ately. 
13. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light  This light indicates that the engine oil pressure has
become too low. For a bulb check, this light will
come on momentarily when the ignition is turned On. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut
off the engine as soon as possible. Immediate service
should be obtained.  14. Tachometer 
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(rpm x 1000). 
15. Gear Selector 
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes), have the system checked by
an authorized dealer. 
16. Trip Odometer 
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 155
4 

If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel 
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started. 
17. Odometer 
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. 
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of 
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined. 18. Transmission Temperature Indicator 
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the
engine at idle or faster, with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL until the light goes off. 
19. Does not Apply 
This indicator is not available. 
20. Door Ajar 
The Door Ajar light will illuminate when the ignition is
ON and any one of the passenger doors are opened. 
NOTE:  A chime will sound if the vehicle is rolling and 
a door has been opened. 
21. BRAKE System Warning Light 
This light will light when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and will remain on for a few seconds. If the
156 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 

NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is to be 
used for recreational towing only. See Recreational Tow-
ing section for specific procedures on shifting into and
out of Neutral (N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is two-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4HI or 4LO) has been obtained. 
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met:
1. An indicator light will flash.
2. The transfer case  will notshift. 
NOTE:  Before retrying a selection, make certain that all 
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)  seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require- 
ments, refer to the 
Shifting Procedure for your transfer 
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual. 
The “SVC 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift 
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the  SVC 4WDlight is illumi- 
nated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING 

flashing the transfer case position is all-wheel drive 
(AWD). If an indicator light is on, the desired position
(4HI or 4LO) has been met. 
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met
1. An indicator light will flash until conditions are met.
2. The transfer case will notshift. 
NOTE:  Before retrying a selection, make certain that all 
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)
seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the  Shifting Procedure for your transfer 
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual. 
The SERVICE 4WD warning light monitors the electric 
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine  start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the 
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the 
SVC 4WDlight is illumi- 
nated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.
NOTE:  Do not attempt to make a shift while only the 
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV244 transfer
case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore
the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the
shift to take place. Shifting while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning can cause damage to the transfer
case.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING 

PARKING BRAKE
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the 
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle. 
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and 
the gear-shift lever is in the PARK position. When
parking on a hill you should apply the parking brake before placing the gear shift lever in PARK; otherwise the 
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the selector out of PARK. 
NOTE: 
The instrument cluster brake warning light 
indicates only that the parking brake is applied. You must
be sure the parking brake is fully applied before leaving
the vehicle. 
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels toward the 
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade. 
The parking brake should be applied whenever the 
driver is not in the vehicle.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING 

WARNING!
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav- 
ing your vehicle, or the vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury. Also be certain to leave an
automatic transmission in Park. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or
injury.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving. Failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector
lever. Don’t leave the key in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be significantly more than that
required with the power system operating. 
If either the front or rear hydraulic system loses normal 
capability, the remaining system will still function with
some loss of braking effectiveness. This will be evident by
increased pedal travel during application, greater pedal
force required to slow or stop, and activation of the Brake
Warning light and the ABS light during brake use.
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System — (If
Equipped)
This Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically controls the opera-
tion of the rear brakes to prevent rear wheel lockup.
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5 

The system remains operational in the four-wheel drive 
mode. The level of performance is reduced when the
front brakes are locked up. This will cause the rear brakes
to lock-up through the drivetrain, which may reduce the
effectiveness of the anti-lock system. 
During severe braking conditions, particularly with 
changing road surfaces, such as ice to concrete, a slight
drop or minor pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal.
WARNING!
Both Anti-Lock Brake Systems contain sophisticated
electronic equipment. It may be susceptible to inter-
ference caused by improperly installed or high out-
put radio transmitting equipment. This interference
can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capabil-
ity. Installation of such equipment should be done
by qualified professionals.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System — If
Equipped
This Anti-Lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces. 
The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to 
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation, which is
normal. 
The Anti-Lock Brake System includes an amber ABS 
warning light. When the light is illuminated, the Anti-
Lock Brake System is not functioning. The system reverts
to standard non-anti-lock brakes. Turning the ignition
OFF and ON again may reset the Anti-Lock Brake System
if the fault detected was only momentary.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING 

WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering 
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolong operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
ROCKING THE VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between FIRST and REVERSE,
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator. 
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main- 
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission selector in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles.
This will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5