Page 316 of 536
AUTO or 4WD HI positions at a given road speed. Take 
care not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25
mph (40 km/h). 
Proper operation of 4 wheel drive vehicles depends on 
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case. 
Because 4 wheel drive provides improved traction, there 
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
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Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted 
Transfer Case
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 for the previous position
will remain ON and the newly selected position indicator  light will continue to flash until all the requirements for 
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift:
return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five (5) seconds and try the shift again. 
NOTE: 
If all the requirements to select a new transfer 
case position have been met, the current position indica-
tor light will turn OFF, the selected position indicator
light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift.
When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
2WD  ⇔4 AUTO or 4 HI
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. 
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD AUTO and 4WD HI can be
done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage / disen-
gage faster if you momentarily release the accelerator
pedal after turning the control switch. If the vehicle is
5 Position Switch
318 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
        Page 319 of 536

stopped, the ignition key must be in the ON position with 
the engine either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be
completed if the key is in the accessory position.
2WD or 4 AUTO or 4 HI ⇔4LO
NOTE: When shifting into or out of 4WD LO 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 engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 
to 5 km/h). 
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch 
on manual transmissions).  3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control 
switch to the desired position. 
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not 
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions). 
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 (de-
press clutch on manual transmissions). 
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired 
position. 
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not 
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
STARTING AND OPERATING 319
5 
     
        
        Page 322 of 536

Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights — 
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located in the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. When you select a different trans-
fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow-
ing: 
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the 
transfer case completes the shift. 
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the 
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON. 
If One or More Shift Conditions are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain 
ON. 2. The newly selected position indicator light will con- 
tinue to flash. 
3. 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.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
        Page 323 of 536

WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering 
down the vehicle if the Service 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, as this can cause
damage to driveline components. 
When operating your vehicle in 4LO, the engine speed is 
approximately three times that of the 2WD or 4HI
positions at a given road speed. Take care not to over-
speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h). 
Proper operation of 4 wheel drive vehicles depends on 
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.  Because 4 wheel drive provides improved traction, there 
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5 
     
        
        Page 325 of 536

Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted 
Transfer Case
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 for the previous position
will remain ON and the newly selected position indicator  light will continue to flash until all the requirements for 
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift:
return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five (5) seconds and try the shift again. 
NOTE: 
If all the requirements to select a new transfer 
case position have been met, the current position indica-
tor light will turn OFF, the selected position indicator
light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift.
When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
2WD ⇔ 4HI
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. 
Shifts between 2WD and 4HI can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion,
the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if you
momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turning
the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
Transfer Case Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5 
     
        
        Page 326 of 536

key must be in the ON position with the engine either 
RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
key is in the accessory position. 
NOTE: The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between 
2WD/4HI if the front and/or rear wheels are spinning
(no traction). In this situation the selected position indi-
cator light will flash and the original position indicator
light will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop
spinning the wheels to complete the shift.
2WD or 4HI  ⇔4LO
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 engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 
to 5 km/h). 
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch 
on manual transmissions). 
3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control 
switch to the desired position. 
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not 
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions). 
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 (de-
press clutch on manual transmissions). 
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired 
position.
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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 always be applied whenever 
the driver is not in the vehicle.
BRAKE SYSTEM
If power assist is lost for any reason (for example,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, you will experience a
substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle. 
If either the front or rear hydraulic systems lose normal 
capability, the remaining system will still function with
some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be
evident by increased pedal travel during application,
greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and activa-
tion of the BRAKE warning lamp and the ABS lamp (if
equipped) during brake use.
3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only
The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro-
boost unit which shares fluid with the power steering
system. You may experience some clicking or hissing
noises from the hydro-boost system during hard braking
conditions. 
NOTE: Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be 
higher than normal until the power steering oil reaches
operating temperature.
Brake Noise
During normal operation of the brake system certain
noises may be present from time to time. Occasional
 groan or squeal noises may occur during normal 
operation of the brake system which may not be indica-
tive of a problem. These noises may be heard at any time
the brakes are applied but may be more noticeable during
the first few brake applications in the morning. Moisture,
hot or cold temperature, dust, and or other debris may
330 STARTING AND OPERATING