
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in N (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal before
starting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system, which requires the clutch to
be fully depressed before starting the vehicle. 4WD Models Only
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless of whether
or not the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. This feature
enhances off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to
start when in 4L without having to depress the clutch
pedal. The 4 LO MODE indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the N (Neutral)
or P (Park) position. Apply the brake before shifting to
any driving range.
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operation may result in starter or battery damage. If
the engine does not start at once, repeat Steps 1
through 4.
•Cold engine speeds higher than necessary for driving
or higher than specified for idling may damage engine
components.
•Before turning off your Diesel engine, always allow
the engine to return to normal idle speed and then run
for several seconds. This assures proper lubrication of
the turbocharger. This is particularly necessary after
periods of high speed driving.
•“Two-footed” driving is not recommended. Inadvert-
ently driving with the brake pedal depressed for more
than a few seconds when the accelerator pedal is held
in place can cause the ETC system to assume that a
stuck accelerator pedal has occurred. This will result in
a loss of power. Returning the brake pedal to its
normal position or moving the accelerator pedal will cancel this condition. If the depressed brake pedal and
the constant accelerator pedal position are maintained
for an extended period of time, the ETC warning light
will begin to flash and continue until the ignition
switch is cycled in the following manner. Cycle the
ignition key when the vehicle is safely and completely
stopped and the gear selector is placed in the P (Park)
position.
Turbocharger “Cool Down”
NOTE:
Letting the engine idle after extended operation
allows the turbine housing to cool to normal operating
temperature.
The following chart should be used as a guide in deter-
mining the amount of engine idle time required to
sufficiently cool down the turbocharger before shut
down, depending upon the type of driving and the
amount of cargo.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
•Never press on the accelerator pedal with the
engine running, vehicle in gear, and the brakes
applied. Always apply the brakes when stopped
on a incline. Failure to follow these instructions
can cause overheating and damage to the trans-
mission.
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission gets too
hot, the transmission will change the way it shifts to help
control the condition. This may result in a slightly different feeling or response during normal operation in
D (Drive) position. If the transmission becomes hot
enough the TRANS TEMP warning light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. After the transmission cools
down, it will return to normal operation.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch (TCC) will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm (usually after 1–3 miles (1.6–4.8 km) of driving)
and the vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRAC-LOK™ REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED
The optional Trac-Lok™ rear axle provides a constant
driving force to both rear wheels and reduces wheel spin
caused by the loss of traction at one driving wheel. If
traction differs between the two rear wheels, the differ-
ential automatically proportions the usable torque by
providing more torque to the wheel that has traction.
Trac-Lok™ is especially helpful during slippery driving
conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery surface, a
slight application of the accelerator will supply maxi-
mum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel on
an excessively slippery surface, slight application of the
parking brake may be necessary to gain maximum trac-
tion.WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differen-
tial, never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground. The vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground and cause you to
lose control of your vehicle.
PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light.
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.
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To release the parking brake, pull up slightly, press the
center button, then lower the lever completely.
Before leaving the vehicle parked on a hill, you must
make sure the parking brake is fully applied and place
the gear selector in the P (Park) position. Make certain the
transfer case is in gear. Failure to do so may cause the
vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in P (Park), other-
wise the load on the transmission locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of P (Park).WARNING!
•Leaving children unattended in a vehicle 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 keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up
may cause serious injury or death.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

During off-road use, loss of traction can temporarily
defeat the system and cause the warning light to illumi-
nate. Turn the ignition OFF and ON again to restore
Anti-Lock Brake System function.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS 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 an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing
the compression braking of the engine to help regulate
your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle
speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding
the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L or 4LO range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
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