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Mix Air flows through the floor outlets, the outlets at
the base of the windshield, and the side window
demisters outlets.
Defrost Air flows through the outlets at the base of the
windshield and through the side window demister
outlets.
Operating Tips
Fast Cool Down
For a fast cool down, turn the blower fan rotary knob to
the extreme clockwise position, turn the mode selector to
the panel position and drive with the windows open for
the first few minutes. Once the hot air has been expelled,
close the windows and turn the mode selector to Max
A/C-Recirculation. When a comfortable condition has been reached, choose a mode position and adjust the
temperature control knob and blower speed as necessary
to maintain comfort. For high humidity conditions it may
be necessary to remain in the Max A/C-Recirculation
mode to maintain comfort.
Window Fogging
In mild but rainy or humid weather, windows will fog on
the inside. To rapidly clear the fog off all the windows,
select the defrost mode, turn the temperature control
knob fully clockwise, and position the blower control to
its highest speed. Once the windshield has been cleared,
adjust the controls for your comfort.
On air conditioned vehicles, the compressor will operate
when in the Mix or Defrost modes and when the outside
temperature is approximately 30°F (-1°C) to provide
additional defrost/defog.
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 213 of 424
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................217
▫ Manual Transmission ..................217
▫ Automatic Transmission ................217
▫ Normal Starting — Gasoline Engines .......218
▫ Normal Starting — Diesel Engines .........219
▫ Diesel Fuel-Water Separator ..............221
▫ Re-Priming The Diesel Fuel System ........222
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........223
Transmission Shifting ....................224 ▫
6-Speed Manual Transmission ............224
▫ Automatic Transmission ................227
▫ Rocking The Vehicle ...................233
Four-Wheel Drive Operation ...............234
▫ Command-Trac Operating
Information/Precautions ................234
▫ Shift Positions ........................236
▫ Shifting Procedure ....................237
▫ Selec-Trac Operating Information/Precautions —
If Equipped .........................238
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▫Shift Positions ........................240
▫ Shifting Procedure ....................241
Trac-Lok™ Rear Axle — If Equipped .........243
Parking Brake .........................243
Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .......245
Power Steering ........................247
On-Road Driving Tips ...................248
Off-Road Driving Tips ...................249
▫ When To Use 4L Or 4LO (Low) Range ......249
▫ Driving Through Water .................249
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........250
▫ Hill Climbing ........................250
▫ Traction Downhill .....................251 ▫
After Driving Off-Road .................252
Tire Safety Information ...................253
▫ Tire Markings ........................253
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........256
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........257
Tires — General Information ...............261
▫ Tire Pressure .........................261
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................262
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation ....264
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................264
▫ Tire Spinning ........................264
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................265
▫ Life Of Tire .........................266
214 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
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5. Depress the fuel-water separator knob 20 consecutive
times.
6. Turn the ignition to START and crank the engine a
maximum of 10 seconds. The engine should start and
remain running.
NOTE: If the engine does not start, repeat the cycle as
many times as necessary.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
•The engine block heater cord is found under the hood
clipped to the heater line on the left side of the engine
(3.7L Engines).
•The engine block heater cord is strapped to the engine
oil dipstick tube on the left side of the engine (2.8L
Diesel Engines).
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
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•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between a
forward gear and reverse, do not spin wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
Recommended Manual Transmission Shifting
Speeds
The manufacturer recommends that you use the shift
speeds listed in the chart below.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
En-
gine Speeds 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
3.7L Accel. 15 (24) 24 (39) 34
(55) 47
(76) 56
(90)
Cruise 10 (16) 19 (31) 27
(43) 37
(60) 41
(66)
Clutch Interlocking Ignition System
2WD Models Only — Manual transmission vehicles are
equipped with a clutch interlock safety feature. The
clutch pedal must be fully depressed to allow cranking of
the engine.
4WD Models Only — The exception to this clutch inter-
lock is 4WD models equipped with a manual transmis-
sion. For these models, the clutch interlock feature is
overridden when the vehicle is operated in 4L to enhance
off-road capability. Refer to “Starting Procedures —
Manual Transmission (4WD Models Only)” in this sec-
tion.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Automatic Transmission
Shifting from D (Drive) to P (Park) or R (Reverse) (or
from P or R to D) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
shift lever between these gears.WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI), which holds the gearshift lever
in the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
OFF position. To move the gear selector lever out of the
P (Park) position, turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, and press the brake pedal and the button on the
front of the shifter handle.
Automatic Shift Controls
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
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Gear Ranges
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
place the gear selector in the P (Park) position first, and
then apply the parking brake.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING