Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
pretensioners, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
NOTE: The “Seat Belt Indicator Light” will remain on
until the driver’s seat belt is buckled.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The ESP/TCS Indicator Light also
flashes when TCS is active. If the ESP/TCS Indicator
Light begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Tachometer
Indicates the permissible engine revolutions-per-minute
for each gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up
on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
2. Turn Signal Indicator Light The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signals, when using the multi-function control
lever. A chime will sound if the turn signals are left on
continuously for 2 miles (3 km) until they are deacti-
vated.
3. High Beam Indicator Light This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the multi-function control lever to-
wards the steering wheel to switch the headlights from
high to low beam. 4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
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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
▫Replacement Tires .....................266
▫ Alignment And Balance .................267
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped ...........................268
▫ Base System .........................268
▫ Premium System ......................270
▫ General Information ...................274
Tire Chains ...........................274
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............275
Fuel Requirements (Gasoline Engines) ........276
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................277
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............277
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................278 ▫
Materials Added To Fuel ................278
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................278
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............279
Fuel Requirements (Diesel Engines) ..........280
Fuel Tank Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............281
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............282
Trailer Towing .........................282
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............283
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............285
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........285
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............287
▫ Towing Requirements ..................288
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
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CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The Command-
Trac transfer case is not equipped with a synchro-
nizer and therefore the front and rear driveshaft
speeds must be equal for the shift to take place.
Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
•When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2H
or 4H 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 will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case.
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
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Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
can cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
•Because 4-wheel drive provides improved trac-
tion, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit.
•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 drive-
shafts 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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4 PART TIME
Part Time 4–Wheel Drive High Range - Locks the transfer
case inter-axle differential. Forces the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4 FULL TIME
Full Time 4-Wheel Drive High Range - Employs an
inter-axle differential. This allows front and rear wheels
to rotate at different speeds, on all road surfaces.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving. Failure to do so can lead to brake failure.
NOTE: Parking brake adjustment and maintenance
should be performed by your authorized dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Anti-Lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under-inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If for any reason, your
foot is on the brake when the vehicle reaches 12 mph (20
km/h), this check will be delayed until 25 mph (40
km/h).
The Anti-Lock Brake System pump motor runs during
the self-test and during an ABS stop to provide the
regulated hydraulic pressure. The motor pump makes a
low humming noise during operation, this is normal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
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