
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while
the engine oil pressure is low, severe engine
damage may occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See
Engine Oil on page 397for more information.
This message displays if low oil pressure
levels occur. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been corrected.
Check the oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SeeEngine Oil on page 397.
PARK ASSIST OFF
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system, after the vehicle has
been started and shifted out of PARK (P),
this message displays to remind the driver
that the URPA system has been turned off.Press the set/reset button or the trip odometer
reset stem to acknowledge this message and
clear it from the DIC display. To turn the URPA
system back on, seeUltrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) on page 194.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if
the passenger’s door is not fully closed and
the vehicle is in a drive gear. Stop and turn off
the vehicle, check the door for obstructions,
and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to
your vehicle. See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 100andDIC
Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 233orDIC Operation and Displays (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 239for more information.
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SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
On some vehicles, this message displays if there
is a problem with the battery charging system.
Under certain conditions, the charging system light
may also turn on in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeCharging System Light on page 220.
Driving with this problem could drain the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Have
the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays along with the brake
system warning light if there is a problem with
the brake system. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 222. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service as soon as possible.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system, this message displays
if there is a problem with the URPA system.
Do not use this system to help you park. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 194for more information. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when a problem is
detected with the power steering system. When
this message is displayed, you may notice that
the effort required to steer the vehicle increases
or feels heavier, but you will still be able to
steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer immediately.
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SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there is a problem with
the StabiliTrak®system. If this message appears,
try to reset the system. Stop; turn off the engine
for at least 15 seconds; then start the engine
again. If this message still comes on, it means
there is a problem. See your dealer/retailer
for service. The vehicle is safe to drive, however,
you do not have the bene t of StabiliTrak
®,
so reduce your speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system. The vehicle may
or may not restart so you may want to take
the vehicle to your dealer/retailer before turning
off the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+ Operation
on page 121for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is not working
properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of
the four sensors are missing or inoperable,
the warning comes on in about 20 minutes.
A sensor would be missing, for example, if you
put different wheels on your vehicle without
transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the
TPM. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a problem
with the Traction Control System (TCS). When
this message is displayed, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
your dealer/retailer for service. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 337for more information.
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TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system is re-learning the tire
positions on your vehicle. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 233orDIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on
page 239for more information. The tire positions
must be re-learned after rotating the tires or after
replacing a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 448,Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 444, andInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 442for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 337
for more information. This message clears itself
after 10 seconds.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays along with a continuous
chime if the transmission uid in the vehicle
gets hot. Driving with the transmission uid
temperature high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow
the transmission to cool. This message clears
and the chime stops when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
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Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control
systems than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 337.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 385.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 222.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. First, you have to decide to push
on the brake pedal. That is perception time.
Then you have to bring up your foot and do it.
That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of
a second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all
play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration.But even in three-fourths of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet
(20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition
of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will
wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow
realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better
braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you
are driving, brake normally but do not pump
the brakes. If you do, the pedal could get
harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist.
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But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop
and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 385.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even notice that the
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 223.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.
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Traction control can be turned on by pressing and
releasing the traction control disable button if
not automatically shut off for any other reason.
When the traction control system is turned
off, the StabiliTrak
®light and the appropriate
traction control off message will be displayed on
the DIC to warn the driver. Your vehicle will
still have brake-traction control when traction
control is off, but will not be able to use the engine
speed management system. See “Traction
Control Operation” next for more information.
When the traction control system has been turned
off, you may still hear system noises as a result
of the brake-traction control coming on.
It is recommended to leave the system on for
normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to “rock”
your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also
be necessary to turn off the system when driving
in extreme off-road conditions where high wheel
spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 360.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the
StabiliTrak®system. Traction control limits wheel
spin by reducing engine power to the wheels
(engine speed management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel (brake-traction
control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when you start your vehicle. It will activate and the
StabiliTrak
®light will ash if it senses that any of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving. If you turn off traction control, only the
brake-traction control portion of traction control will
work. The engine speed management will be
disabled. In this mode, engine power is not reduced
automatically and the driven wheels can spin more
freely. This can cause the brake-traction control to
activate constantly.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle
to spin excessively while the StabiliTrak
®,
ABS and brake warning lights and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are displayed, you
could damage the transfer case. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Reduce engine power and do not spin the
wheel(s) excessively while these lights and this
message are displayed.
338

The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance is longer and vehicle control more limited.While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You might not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues — such as enough water, ice,
or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you have any
doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
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