Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to
four different positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will
only be able to remove the key when the ignition
is turned to LOCK.Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and
you cannot turn it, be sure you are using
the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? Turn
the key only with your hand. Using a tool to
force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your
vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers
when the engine is off.
Lengthy operation of features such as the radio in
the accessory ignition position may drain the
battery and prevent your vehicle from starting.
Do not operate your vehicle in the accessory
ignition position for a long period of time.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACCESSORY or RUN position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your
vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for
an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
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Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transmission. Also, always
remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it
has been parked for an extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which lets certain features of
your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
The radio, power windows, the overhead console
and the sunroof, if the vehicle has one, work
when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK,
these features continue to work for up to
20 minutes, or until a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position -- this is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P)
if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
goes as your engine gets warm. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently
to let the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
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Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to the START
position, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine continues cranking
for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held
in START for many seconds, cranking stops
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent gear damage, this system
also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACCESSORY or LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding it
there as you hold the key in START for up to
a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts brie y but then stops
again, do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
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{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 122. 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. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 129.
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 348.
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4m(Four-Wheel High):This setting should be
used when you need extra traction, such as
on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road
situations. This setting also engages your front
axle to help drive your vehicle.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also
engages your front axle and delivers extra torque.
It sends maximum power to all four wheels.
You might choose this setting if you are driving
off-road in deep sand, deep mud, and climbing or
descending steep hills.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
someone else could be seriously injured.
Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL.
SeeParking Brake on page 126.NEUTRAL:Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 355for
more information.
An indicator light in the knob will show you which
position the transfer case is in. The indicator
lights will come on brie y when you turn on the
ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take your vehicle to your
dealer for service. An indicator light will ash
while shifting the transfer case. It will stay on when
the shift is complete. If for some reason the
transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will
return to the last chosen setting.
If the service Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light on
the instrument panel cluster stays on, you
should take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
SeeService Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light on
page 216for further information.
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If the knob is turned to Four Wheel-High, Auto
Four-Wheel Drive, or Two-Wheel High when your
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel
High, Auto Four-Wheel Drive, or Two-Wheel
High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds. It will
not complete the shift unless your vehicle is
moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
Shifting into NEUTRAL
Before shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL, rst
make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will
not roll.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
5. Turn the transfer case knob all of the way past
Four-Wheel Low and hold it there for a
minimum of 10 seconds. The neutral indicator
light will come on.
6. With the engine running, shift the transmission
to REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the
transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second, to
ensure that the transfer case is in NEUTRAL.7. Turn the engine off, by turning the key to
ACCESSORY.
8. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift the transfer case out of NEUTRAL, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired
position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel
High, or Auto Four-Wheel Drive).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of
NEUTRAL, the indicator light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Start the engine and shift the transmission to
the desired position.
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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your foot and pull up on the
parking brake lever located between the seats.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 206.To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up
until you can press in the button at the end of
the lever. Hold the button in as you move
the parking brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 362.
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