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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.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You can feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle:
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights as
you turn them on. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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applies optimum pressure to the brakes. The system
applies optimum pressure to the brakes in emergency
braking conditions. This can help reduce braking dis-
tances. The BAS complements the antilock brake system
(ABS). Applying the brakes very quickly results in the
best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of the system,
you must apply continuous braking pressure during the
stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.WARNING!
•BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
•The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
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Tire Safety Information...................264
▫Tire Markings........................264
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........268
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........269
Tires—General Information................273
▫Tire Pressure.........................273
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................274
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................276
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........277
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........278
▫Tire Spinning........................278
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................279
▫Life Of Tire.........................280▫Replacement Tires.....................280
▫Alignment And Balance.................281
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped............................282
Tire Chains...........................282
Snow Tires...........................283
Tire Rotation Recommendations............284
Fuel Requirements......................285
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................286
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............286
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................287
▫Materials Added To Fuel................287
▫Adding Fuel.........................287
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Shifting Procedure - NV 144 Transfer Case
AWD to 4LOCK or 4LOCK to AWD
With the key ON and the engine either OFF or RUN-
NING, rotate the transfer case switch, located on the
instrument panel to the desired position.NOTE:Delayed shifting out of 4LOCK may be experi-
enced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or
excessive vehicle loading.
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift. The indicator light will flash and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry
a selection, turn the control knob back to the current
position, wait five (5) seconds, and retry the shift.
NOTE:The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
AWD/4LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no trac-
tion). In this situation the position indicator light will
continue to flash. At this time, reduce speed and stop
spinning the wheels to complete the shift. There may be
a delay up to 13 seconds for the shift to complete after the
wheels have stopped spinning.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING
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wheels to complete the shift. There may be a delay up to
13 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have
stopped spinning.
NOTE:Delayed shifting out of the 4LOCK position may
be experienced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure,
or excessive loading.
NOTE:When shifting into or out of 4LO some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3
mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER
OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3
mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
4. After the position indicator light has stopped flashing,
shift the transmission back into gear.
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or
RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
4. After the position indicator light has stopped flashing,
shift the transmission back into gear.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
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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 increased over that
required with the power system operating.
If either the front or rear hydraulic systems lose 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 Lamp and the ABS Lamp during brake use.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed to aid the
driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and help avoid skidding on slipperysurfaces. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same
size and type and tires must be properly inflated to
produce accurate signals for the computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low-speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If you have your foot
lightly on the brake while this test is occurring you may
feel slight pedal movement. The movement can be more
apparent on ice and snow. This is normal. The Anti-Lock
Brake System pump motor runs during the self-test at 12
mph (20 km/h) and during an ABS stop. The pump
motor makes a low humming noise during operation,
which is normal.
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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.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
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•European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
•LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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