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WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), BAS (Brake Assist System), TCS (Traction Con-
trol System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) and ESP
(Electronic Stability Program). All five systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as
ESP.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
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TCS (Traction Control System) – if equipped with
ESP
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
“Partial Off” mode. Refer to “ESP (Electronic Stability
Program)” in this Section of this manual. This brake
pressure modulation transfers drive torque from slipping
to non-slipping wheels to provide optimal forward trac-
tion.
ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the
appropriate brake and may reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only
intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneu-
vers.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It can not
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
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WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur.
•ERM can not prevent all wheel lift or rollovers,
especially those that involve leaving the roadway
or striking objects or other vehicles. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents.
•The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
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•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightstarts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes active.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso flashes when TCS is
active. If theESP/TCS Indicator Lightbegins to flash
during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply
as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
•ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded.
•ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESP-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 2 available operating modes.
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High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
ON
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD high
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD low range or neutral back to 4WD high range, the
ESP system will be in this mode. This mode should be
used for most all driving situations. ESP should only be
turned to “Partial Off” for specific reasons as noted
below.
This mode is entered by momentarily
depressing the “ESP OFF” Control
Switch. When in “Partial Off” mode,
the engine management portion of
ESP has been desensitized, the thresh-
olds for ESP activation are raised, and
the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will be
illuminated. This mode is intended tobe used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the “ESP-Control OFF” Con-
trol Switch. This will restore the normal “ON” mode of
operation. ESP always operates under braking, even with
the switch in the OFF-position.
WARNING!
In the Partial Off mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are desensitized. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP Control Switch. Once the
Partial Off
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situation requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESP on by momentarily depress-
ing the “ESP Control Switch”. This may be done with the
vehicle is in motion.
4WD Low Range
Partial Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD low
range. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD low range
or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD
high range or neutral to 4WD low range, the ESP system
will be in this mode. In 4WD low range, ESP function is
desensitized until the vehicle reaches a speed of 30 mph
(48 km/h). At 30 mph (48 km/h) the normal ESP stability
function returns and the ESP/TCS Indicator Light” turns
off. When the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40
km/h) the ESP system goes back to Partial Off. ESP is
desensitized at low vehicle speeds in 4WD low range so
that it will not interfere with off road driving but ESPfunction returns to provide the stability feature at speeds
above 30 mph (48 km/h). The ABS is in a special
Off-Road mode that allows too look wheels at lower
speed if gravel is detected to gain stopping distance.
NOTE:When the vehicle is in 4WD low range, a feature
of the ESP system remains active whether the ESP is on or
off. This feature functions similar to a limited slip differ-
ential and controls the wheel spin across an axle. If one
wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel and
allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that
is not spinning.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3
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REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a push
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume.
The button located in the center of the right hand control
will switch modes to Radio or CD.
The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a push
button in the center. The function of the left hand control
is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the switch will SEEK up for the next
listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch
will SEEK down for the next listenable station.
220 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.....................242
▫Automatic Transmission................242
▫Normal Starting......................242
▫Engine Block Heater — If Equipped........244
Automatic Transmission..................245
▫Automatic Transmission................245
Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............250
▫NV 144 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................250▫Shifting Procedure - NV 144 Transfer Case . . . 252
▫NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions...............253
▫Shifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case........................256
Parking Brake.........................258
Brake System..........................260
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . 260
Power Steering........................262
Rocking The Vehicle.....................264
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