
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 495for more
information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag
system does not need regular maintenance.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag,
or the side impact airbag covering on the
ceiling near the side windows, the airbag may
not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s airbag, or
side impact airbag module and ceiling covering
for roof-mounted rollover airbags (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
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Keys.............................................................. 93
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.......... 95
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation................................................. 96
Doors and Locks.......................................... 98
Door Locks................................................. 98
Power Door Locks....................................... 99
Delayed Locking........................................ 100
Programmable Automatic Door Locks........ 100
Rear Door Security Locks......................... 103
Lockout Protection..................................... 103
Liftgate/Liftglass......................................... 104
Windows...................................................... 105
Power Windows........................................ 106
Sun Visors................................................ 108
Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 108
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 108
Passlock
®.................................................. 110Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 111
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 111
Ignition Positions....................................... 112
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)............. 113
Starting the Engine.................................... 113
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal.......... 115
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 116
Active Fuel Management™........................ 117
Automatic Transmission Operation............. 117
Four-Wheel Drive...................................... 121
Parking Brake........................................... 126
Shifting Into Park (P)................................. 127
Shifting Out of Park (P)............................. 129
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 129
Engine Exhaust......................................... 130
Running the Engine While Parked............. 131
Section 2 Features and Controls
91

PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
the engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 127.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 368.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll — even if your shift
lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on
page 121. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 127.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
You have to fully apply the regular brakes rst and
then press the shift lever button before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is
in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift
lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button
and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 129.
118

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transmission, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 354.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at
high speed may damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speed when shifting your vehicle.
119