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Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the
key in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it has
been parked for an extended period of time.
Engine Starter Over-Crank
Protection
Your vehicle may have an engine starter
over-crank protection system. If the starter motor
overheats and shuts off due to over-cranking,
the motor must cool down before it will reset and
allow starter operation. It can take up to
six minutes before the starter will work again.
Starting the Gasoline Engine
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter for your
engine. Use this number to verify the type of
engine in your vehicle. SeeVehicle Identi cation
Number (VIN) on page 340. Follow the proper steps
to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, seeStarting the Diesel
Engine on page 100.
Automatic Transmission
Set the parking brake and move your shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), if so equipped. Your
engine will not start in any other position — that is a
safety feature.
Manual Transmission
Set the parking brake, shift to neutral NEUTRAL (N)
and hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine.
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Page 106 of 430

High Idle System
High Idle System with Switch
If your vehicle has this
feature, the manual high
idle switch is located
in the instrument panel
switchbank.
This system can be used to increase your engine
idle speed whenever the following conditions
are met:
•The brake pedal is not pressed.
•The vehicle speed is below about 5 mph
(8 km/h) for vehicles with diesel engines. The
vehicle must not be moving and the
accelerator must not be pressed for vehicles
with gasoline engines.
•If the vehicle has manual transmission the
clutch pedal is not pressed or, if the vehicle
has the automatic transmission it is in
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
The manual high idle feature is activated by
pressing the switch on the instrument panel. When
the switch is pressed again, or any of the
previous conditions are not met, manual high idle
will be deactivated.
The manual high idle has been preset at the
factory. Your dealer may change the setting to fit
your needs.
For vehicles with Caterpillar
®diesel engines, the
high idle switch can be used to set any desired
high idle speed.
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Page 107 of 430

To set a new temporary engine idle speed do the
following:
1. Make sure all of the previously described
conditions are met.
2. Press the accelerator pedal to the desired
engine speed.
3. Momentarily press the manual high idle
switch.
The temporary high idle speed will be set. This
new high idle rpm level will be remembered by the
system until either the ignition is turned to OFF
or a new high idle speed is set.
Automatic High Idle System
The automatic high idle feature will engage
whenever you start your vehicle and the engine is
below the preset operating temperature. This
will help decrease engine warm-up time.On vehicles that have the Caterpillar
®diesel
engine you may have an exhaust restrictor that
will operate in High Idle mode. The exhaust brake
switch must be on for this feature to operate.
SeeDiesel Engine Exhaust Brake on page 112for
more information.
Idle speed will then return to normal under any of
the following conditions:
•The engine reaches the preset operating
temperature or has been operating for at least
10 minutes.
•The brake pedal is pressed.
•The manual transmission clutch pedal is
pressed or, if the vehicle has automatic
transmission, it is shifted from NEUTRAL (N)
or PARK (P).
•The vehicle speed exceeds about 5 mph
(8 km/h).
•The throttle is pressed.
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Page 146 of 430
Windshield Washer
L(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked
with the windshield washer symbol at the top of the
multifunction lever. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, press the paddle. The wipers will clear
the window and then either stop or return to
your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer uid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has this
feature, it is located
at the end of the
multifunction lever.
T(Set):Pressing in this button at the end of
the lever sets the cruise control speed.
9(Off):Moving the switch to this position turns
off the cruise control.
R(On):Moving the switch to this position turns
on the cruise control.
S(Resume/Accelerate):Moving the switch to
this position turns on resume/accelerate.
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Page 148 of 430

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of
course, shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t
need to reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can move the cruise control switch
briefly from on to resume/accelerate.
The vehicle will return to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
switch or apply the brake. So unless you want
to go faster, don’t hold the switch at
resume/accelerate.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the
lever, then release the button and the
accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the
higher speed.
•Move the cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the
speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briefly to resume/accelerate.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, tap the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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Page 163 of 430

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per
hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven, in either miles (used in the
United States) or kilometers (used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your
vehicle has been driven since you last set the trip
odometer to zero.
While the engine is running, press the reset
button, located to the right of the trip odometer, to
toggle between the trip odometer and the
regular odometer. Holding the reset button for
two seconds while the engine is running and the
trip odometer is displayed, will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition
off, press the reset button.
The hourmeter gage is accessed through the trip
odometer, for more information seeHourmeter
Gage on page 183.
Tachometer
This gage shows the safe operating range for the
engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).
7.2L Caterpillar®Diesel
Engine and Isuzu 6H
Diesel EnginesGasoline and
6.6L DURAMAX®
Diesel Engines
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For additional information on when to change
engine oil for gasoline engines or DURAMAX®
diesel engines, seeEngine Oil (Caterpillar®Diesel
Engine) on page 268orEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 268orEngine Oil (DURAMAX
®/
Isuzu Diesel Engine) on page 272andScheduled
Maintenance on page 363. To reset the change
engine oil light, seeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 276orEngine Oil Life
System (DURAMAX
®Diesel) on page 278or
Engine Oil Life System (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine)
on page 279.
Engine Overspeed Warning Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it will come on if
your engine is operating
at too many revolutions
per minute (rpm).
It will also come on for a moment as a check
when you start your engine.
If it comes on when you’re driving, reduce your
engine speed immediately.
Engine Shutdown Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
engine shutdown
feature, this light will
come on when engine
shutdown is active.
For more information, seeEngine Alarm and
Automatic ShutdownunderStarting the Diesel
Engine on page 100.
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Page 182 of 430
Water in Fuel Warning Light
This light is located
above the climate
controls in the center of
the instrument panel.
If your vehicle has the 6.6L DURAMAX
®or Isuzu
6H diesel engine, this light will come on to
warn you that there is water in the fuel system.
For more information on how this light works, see
Water in Fuel on page 256.
Air Filter Restriction Indicator
If your vehicle has this
feature, the gage is
located above the
switchbank in the center
of the instrument
panel. It monitors the
engine air filter.
As the filter gets dirty, the yellow indicator will
begin to rise. When it reaches 25 inches of
vacuum on the scale, the filter should be replaced.
After replacing the filter, reset the gage by
pressing in the yellow reset button at the bottom
of the gage.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see
your Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual.
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