Page 73 of 400

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper air flow through all defroster ducts. If
there are any question regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer
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,
etc.) or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any
question regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the
belt.
Airbag 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 light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light the
seatbelt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for 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 for proper pressure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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Page 184 of 400

▫NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions...............205
▫Shifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II Transfer
Case..............................209
Limited-Slip Rear Axle Differential— If Equipped 210
Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............211
Parking Brake.........................212
Brake System..........................213
▫Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System –
If Equipped.........................213
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........214
Power Steering........................216
Rocking The Vehicle.....................217
Tire Safety Information...................218▫Tire Markings........................218
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........221
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........222
Tires — General Information...............226
▫Tire Pressure.........................226
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................227
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................229
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........230
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........231
▫Tire Spinning........................231
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................232
▫LifeOfTire .........................233
▫Replacement Tires.....................233
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▫Alignment And Balance.................234
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped............................235
Tire Chains...........................235
Snow Tires...........................237
Tire Rotation Recommendations............237
Fuel Requirements......................238
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................239
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............239
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................240
▫Materials Added To Fuel................241
▫Fuel System Cautions..................241
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............242Adding Fuel..........................243
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............244
Flexible Fuel— If Equipped................245
▫E-85 General Information................245
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................245
▫Fuel Requirements....................245
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............246
▫Starting............................246
▫Cruising Range.......................247
▫Replacement Parts.....................247
▫Maintenance.........................247
Vehicle Loading........................247
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
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Page 209 of 400

Shifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case
NOTE:The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
4WD/ 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no
traction). In this situation a position indicator light will
flash and the original position indicator light will remain
ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning thewheels to complete the shift. There may be a delay up to
13 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have
stopped spinning.
NOTE:Delayed shifting out of the 4WD LOCK position
may be experienced due to uneven tire wear, low tire
pressure, or excessive loading.
NOTE:When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some
gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3
mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER
OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3
mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
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Page 218 of 400

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
•European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
•LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary Spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 220 of 400
EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95= Load Index
—A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H= Speed Symbol
—A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
—The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions,
and posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
....blank....= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL)= Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load= Light Load Tire
C,D,E= Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load— Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure—
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side
“B” pillar.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Tire Placard Location
Tire and Loading Information
222 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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 in the “Vehicle Loading” sec-
tion 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, refer to 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. Thecombined 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.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
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