Page 217 of 380

right for at least one second. The transmission will now
operate automatically, shifting between the five available
gears.
AutostickTGeneral Information
²
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis en-
gaged.
²The transmission will not automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autosticktis engaged.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the rear wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the rear wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
216 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 218 of 380

partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the P (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to apply the
parking brake before placing the gear selector in P (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
5
Page 220 of 380

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. There will be some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This may be evident
by increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and potential
activation of the Brake Warning Light.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine off)
the brakes will still function. The effort required to brake
the vehicle will be much greater than that required with
the power system operating.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically ªpumpsº the
brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents the
rear wheels from over-braking and provides greater
control of available braking forces applied to the rear
axle.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS system
is working properly. This self check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
STARTING AND OPERATING 219
5
Page 221 of 380

You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
²The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
²the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
²brake pedal pulsations,
²and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to inter-
ference caused by improperly installed or high output
radio transmitting equipment. This interference can
cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capability. In-
stallation of such equipment should be performed by
qualified professionals.
²Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on
your brake pedal when you need to slow down or stop.
²Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural laws
of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following an-
other vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which
could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 224 of 380

WARNING!
The ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ABS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety of others.
TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is
applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
This system complements the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) by optimizing the vehicle braking capability dur-
ing emergency braking maneuvers. This system detects
an emergency braking situation by sensing the rate and
amount of brake application and then applies optimum
pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce braking
distances.
Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS
assistance. To receive the benefits of this system, you
must apply continuous brake pedal pressure during the
stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5
Page 227 of 380

Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
only and should not be used on any public roadways.
In this mode, all TCS and ESP stability features are
turned off. To enter the ªFull Offº mode, depress and
hold the ªESP OFFº button for 5 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After 5
seconds, a chime will sound, the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9will illuminate, and the9ESP OFF9message will
display in the vehicle odometer. Press and release the
trip odometer button located on the instrument cluster
to clear this message. The ªESP OFFº message may
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the9ESP OFF Button.9
NOTE:
The9ESP OFF,9or ªESP System Deactivatedº
message will display and the audible chime will sound
when the gear selector is moved into the PARK position
from any position other than PARK and then moved out
of the PARK position. This will occur when the message
was previously cleared.
WARNING!
In the ESP Full Off mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are cancelled. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
NOTE:When the ESP is switched off a feature of the
system remains active. This feature controls wheel spin
across an axle quite similarly to a limited slip differential.
If one wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other,
the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel
and allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. To improve the vehicle's traction
when driving with tire chains, or when starting-off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch
to the ªPartial Offº mode by momentarily depressing the
ªESP OFFº button.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 229 of 380
NOTE:
²
9The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9and the9ESP/BAS
Malfunction Indicator Light9will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
²Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
²The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
228 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 238 of 380

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES Ð GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
1. SafetyÐ
WARNING!
²Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
²Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
²Over inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause
damage that result in tire failure.
²Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
²Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
²Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right
or left.
²Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5