Page 165 of 492

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 your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comeson 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.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
164 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 179 of 492

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
18. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light will
illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.
Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.
19. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for five seconds. If the ABS
light remains on or comes on during driving, it indicates
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 181 of 492

24. Low Washer Fluid Light
This light comes on when the washer fluid level falls
below approximately 1/4 full. The light will remain on
until fluid is added and ignition switch is cycled.
25. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.26. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
27. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
28. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/16 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead
console module (CMTC), it is possible for DTE to display
ªLO FUELº before the low fuel warning light turns on in
the instrument cluster. This could occur because the low
fuel warning is set to a specified fuel tank volume and
DTE is an estimated distance calculation based on vehicle
fuel economy and remaining fuel tank volume.
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 184 of 492
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
SALES CODE REF Ð AM/FM/CD (SINGLE DISC)
RADIO WITH OPTIONAL SATELLITE RADIO AND
HANDS FREE PHONE CAPABILITY
NOTE:The radio sales code is located on the lower right
side of your radio faceplate.
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC
position to operate the radio.
REF Radio
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183
4
Page 225 of 492

REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the
right hand control will allow you to change the mode.
The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a push
button in the center. The function of the left hand control
is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the left side switch will SEEK up for
the next listenable station and pressing the bottom of the
switch will SEEK down for the next listenable station.
The button located in the center of the left hand control
will tune to the next pre-set station that you have
programmed in the radio pre-set push-buttons.
Remote Sound System Controls
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 242 of 492
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures ± Gas Engines...........245
NManual Transmission..................245
NAutomatic Transmission................245
NNormal Starting......................246
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................246
NAfter Starting........................248
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........249
mAutomatic Transmission..................249
NAutomatic Transmission With Overdrive.....250mManual Transmission....................255
NManual Transmission Ð 6 Speed (G56)......256
NRecommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........257
NDownshifting ± All Manual Transmissions....257
mFour-Wheel- Drive Operation..............258
NManually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................258
NShifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................261
NTransfer Case Reminder Light............262
5
Page 243 of 492

mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.......262
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............263
mAxle Locker System.....................264
mStabilizer/Sway Bar System...............267
mPower Wagon ± Safe Off-Road Driving.......268
NOff-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................268
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........273
NCrossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................275
NHill Climbing........................278
NDriving Through Water.................281
NAiring Down For Off-Road Driving........283
NVehicle Recovery......................284NAfter Driving Off-Road.................288
mWinch Usage ± If Equipped...............289
NThings To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . 289
NUnderstanding The Features Of Your Winch . . 291
NWinch Accessories.....................293
NOperating Your Winch..................294
NRigging Techniques....................305
mParking Brake.........................308
mBrake System..........................309
NBrake Noise.........................310
NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)Ð
If Equipped.........................310
mPower Steering........................312
242 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 245 of 492

NSulfur In Gasoline.....................337
NMaterials Added To Fuel................337
NFuel System Cautions..................338
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............339
mAdding Fuel..........................339
NAdding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............339
mVehicle Loading........................341
NCertification Label.....................341
mTrailer Towing.........................345
NCommon Towing Definitions.............345
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............349
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................350NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............350
NTowing Requirements..................351
NTowing Tips.........................356
NTrailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped......358
mSnowplow............................359
NDodge Power Wagon Models.............359
mRecreational Towing Ð 4±Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................360
NRecreational Towing Procedure Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case Ð If Equipped.........361
NReturning To Normal Operation Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................362
mEquipment Identification Plate.............363
244 STARTING AND OPERATING