
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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5

WARNING!
When parking your vehicle, always leave a manual
transmission in first gear and apply the parking
brake fully to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage. Never use any gear as a
substitute for the parking brake.
CAUTION!
To drive as safely as possible and to prolong the life
of your manual transmission, follow these tips:
•Before shifting from a forward gear into reverse, or
from reverse to a forward gear, stop vehicle com-
pletely. Otherwise, accelerated transmission wear may
result.
•Do not operate at sustained high engine or road
speeds in lower gears. Engine damage may result.
•Do not downshift into a low gear while traveling at too
high a speed for that gear. Engine, clutch, or transmis-
sion damage may result.
•Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This causes
heat buildup and damages the clutch.
•When you slow down or go up a grade, downshift as
speed requires or the engine may overheat.
•Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the
clutch pedal. The clutch may be damaged.
•During cold weather, you may experience increased
effort in shifting until the transmission fluid warms
up. This is normal.
•Push in the clutch pedal completely when shifting.
Otherwise, transmission or clutch damage may result.
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5

•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

Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
button located on side of the gearshift lever. The O/D
OFF indicator light will illuminate to show that the
switch has been activated. When the indicator light is on,
Overdrive is locked out. Pressing the switch a second
time restores the Overdrive function. The lockout feature
is useful when towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in cold outside tempera-
tures, shifts into Overdrive may be delayed. Normal
Overdrive and shifting operation will resume when the
temperature of the transmission reaches the appropriate
temperature. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Con-
verter Clutch” later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the trans-
mission may downshift out of Overdrive or engage
overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the transmission
cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive will resume
normal operation. 2 (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry pave-
ment or in mud and snow. Begins at a stop in low gear
with automatic upshift to 2nd gear. Will not shift to 3rd.
1 (First)
For hard pulling at low speeds in mud, sand, snow, or on
steep grades. Begins and stays in low gear with no
upshift. Provides engine compression braking at low
speeds.
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5

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

4L
4-Wheel-Drive Low Range - Low speed 4 wheel drive.
Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
Additional traction and maximum pulling power for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h). (Allows engine starting without depressing
the clutch pedal on vehicles equipped with manual
transmission. Refer to “Starting Procedures — Manual
Transmission (4WD Models Only)” in this section.
Shifting Procedure
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle in motion up to 55 mph (88 km/h). The transfer
case will engage/disengage faster if you momentarily
release the accelerator pedal after completing the shift.
Apply a constant force when shifting the transfer case
lever.
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the
clutch on a manual transmission. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: To shift from 4H to 4L, the shift lever should
pushed away from the driver, and then rearward into 4L.
In 4H, there is a neutral stop to prevent shifting into N
(Neutral) by accident.
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift automatic
transmission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn
engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode.
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5

NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
Selec-Trac \bOperating Information/Precautions —
If Equipped
The Selec-Trac transfer case provides 5 mode positions -
normal 2-wheel drive mode, part-time 4-wheel drive
high range, full-time 4-wheel drive high range, neutral,
and 4-wheel drive low range.
This transfer case is equipped with an inter-axle differ-
ential which allows driving the vehicle in the 4 FULL
TIME position at all times on any given road surface including dry hard surfaced roads. The 4 FULL TIME
mode allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds which eliminates driveline binding and
component wear that is normally associated with driving
the vehicle in the 4 PART TIME position on dry hard
surfaced roads. This feature provides the safety, security,
and convenience of operating in 4–wheel drive at all
times regardless of road conditions.
When additional traction is required the 4 PART TIME
and 4LO positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together through the transfer case inter-axle
differential and force the front and rear driveshafts to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to these positions. The 4 PART
TIME and 4LO positions are intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4 PART TIME and 4LO
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

shifting. This will allow full engagement of the newly
selected position. Apply a constant force when shifting
the transfer case lever.
4 FULL TIME to 4 LO or 4 LO to 4 FULL TIME
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
an automatic transmission to N (Neutral). While the
vehicle is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the
transfer case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not
pause in transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: To shift from 4 FULL TIME to 4LO, the shift
lever should be pushed away from the driver, and then
rearward into 4LO. In 4 FULL TIME, there is a neutral
stop to prevent shifting into N (Neutral) by accident.
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift transmis-
sion to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn engine
OFF. Make shift to desired mode.
NOTE:
Shifting into or out of 4LO is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4LO
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
242 STARTING AND OPERATING