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7. High Beam Indicator Light This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low.
If the driver’s door is open, and the headlights or
parklights are left on, the “High Beam Indicator Light”
will flash and a chime will sound.
8. Seat Belt Indicator Light A warning chime and an indicator light will alert
you to buckle the seat belts. When the belt is
buckled, the chime will stop, but the light will stay
on until it times out (about 6 seconds).
9. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed. 10. Front Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped
Indicates when the front axle lock has been
activated. (See page 199 for more information.)
11. Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped Indicates when the rear axle lock has been
activated. (See page 199 for more information.)
12. 4WD Indicator Light This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. (See page 194 for more infor-
mation.)
148 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor quality fuel, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several typical driving styles. In most
situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
When the engine is running, the “Malfunction Indicator
Light” may flash to alert serious conditions that could
lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 268 for more
information.)
18. Trip Odometer Button
Press and release this button to toggle between the
odometer and trip odometer displays. This button is also
used to reset the trip odometer to 0. While the display is
showing the trip odometer, press and hold the button for
approximately 2 seconds and the display will reset to 0. 19. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The odometer will “illuminate” when the driver’s door
has been opened, and will remain on for 20 seconds after
exiting the vehicle.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so the correct mileage can be
determined.
The trip odometer shows individual mileage up to 999.9
miles (1 600 km). To switch from odometer to trip
odometer, press the trip odometer button.
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Window Fogging
In mild but rainy or humid weather, the windows might
fog on the inside. To clear the fog off all of the windows,
turn the mode control knob to the “Panel” position (with
snowflake). Adjust the temperature control and blower
speed to maintain comfort. Direct the panel outlets
toward the side windows. Interior fogging on the wind-
shield can be quickly removed by selecting the “Defrost”
position.
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Tire Chains ...........................228
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............228
Fuel Requirements ......................229
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................230
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............230
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................231
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................231
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................232
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............232
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................233
▫ Locking Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) —
If Equipped .........................235
Trailer Towing .........................236
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............236
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............238
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........239
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............240
▫ Towing Requirements ..................242
▫ Towing Tips .........................246
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 248
▫ Shifting Into Neutral (N) ................248
▫ Shifting Out Of Neutral (N) ..............250
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R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking the
vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this position.
NOTE: Towing the vehicle, coasting, or otherwise driv-
ing with the transmission in N (Neutral) can cause severe
damage to the transmission.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle.
Overdrive (O/D)
For most city and highway driving. The transmission
contains an electronically controlled Overdrive, and will
automatically shift from D (Drive) to O/D (Overdrive) if
the following conditions are present:
•The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
•The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
•Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h).
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When frequent transmission shifting occurs while using
Overdrive, such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy load conditions (for example, in hilly terrain,
strong head winds, or trailer towing), turning off over-
drive will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D OFF
switch located on the instrument panel. The O/D OFF
indicator light (on the switch) 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.
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.
Overdrive Off Switch
192 STARTING AND OPERATING
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4H Position
Four Wheel Drive High Range — Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces.
NOTE: This range should not be used during dry
pavement operation.
N (Neutral) Position
Neutral — Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in Sec-
tion 5 of this manual. (See page 248 for more
information.)
4L Position
Four Wheel Drive Low Range — Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and maxi-
mum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Shifting Procedure
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion,
shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor 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 pedal on a manual transmission. While the vehicle
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3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING