Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your
warning lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on brie y when you start the engine just to
let you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when there
is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with warning lights and gages. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Engine Hour Meter Display
The Driver Information Center (DIC) can also display
the number of hours the engine has run. To display the
hour meter, turn the ignition off, press and hold the
reset button for at least four seconds. The hour meter
will be displayed for up to 30 seconds, or until the
ignition is turned on. SeeDIC Operation and Displays
on page 3-53for more information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
Press the reset button, located on the instrument panel
cluster next to the trip odometer display, to toggle
between the trip odometer and the regular odometer.
Holding the reset button for approximately one second
while the trip odometer is displayed will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-53for more
information.
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Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm). See “Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
®)” underTow/Haul Mode on
page 2-31for more information.
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the solid red area, your vehicle could
be damaged. The damages would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not operate the engine in the solid
red area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will be
provided for several seconds to remind people to buckle
their safety belts. The driver safety belt light will also be
provided and stay on for several seconds, then it will ash
for several more. You should buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55for
more information on driver and passenger safety
belt reminders.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-81for more
information.
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Battery Warning Light
If this light is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the light stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this light displayed could drain your
battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
in RUN, this gage shows
your battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage may
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading, this is normal. Readings between the low and
high warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
The voltmeter gage may also read lower when in fuel
economy mode. This is normal.
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Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Up-Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
This light is used on
some models with
manual transmissions.
The shift indicator light will show you when to shift to
the next highest gear, and will help you get the best fuel
economy.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light will
ash when you set the parking brake. The light will ash if
the parking brake doesn’t release fully. If you try to drive
with the parking brake engaged, a chime will sound when
the vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
This light should come on brie y when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
United StatesCanada
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