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 will continue
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 will be stopped 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 flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor 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 briefly 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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Service........................................................ 286
Accessories and Modifications................... 286
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 286
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 287
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 287
Fuel............................................................. 288
Gasoline Octane........................................ 288
Gasoline Specifications.............................. 288
California Fuel........................................... 289
Additives................................................... 289
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 290
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 291
Filling the Tank......................................... 292
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 294
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 294
Hood Release........................................... 295
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 296
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine).................... 297Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine).................................. 300
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 302
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 303
Engine Coolant.......................................... 306
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 309
Engine Overheating................................... 309
Cooling System......................................... 311
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 317
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 317
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 318
Brakes...................................................... 319
Battery...................................................... 323
Jump Starting............................................ 324
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 330
Rear Axle.................................................... 331
Front Axle................................................... 331
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
283
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the
E85 fuel must be formulated properly for your
climate according to ASTM specification D 5798.
If you have trouble starting on E85, it may be
because your E85 fuel is not properly formulated
for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank may
improve starting. For good starting and heater
efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel
tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between
gasoline and E85. If you do switch fuels, it
is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than three gallons
(11 L) when refueling. You should drive the
vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt
to the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to refill your fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 292.Notice:Some additives are not compatible
with E85 fuel and may harm your vehicle’s fuel
system. Damage caused by additives would
not be covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to find. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
291
A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 323.
B. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 309.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 311.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 303.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 297.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 297.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 302.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 317.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 319.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 318.Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Oil” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Engine Supplement.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 296
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
297
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 409.
Using a funnel, add fluid down the transmission
dipstick tube only after checking the transmission
fluid while it is hot. A cold check is used only
as a reference. If the fluid level is low, add only
enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do
not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 409.
•After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
•When the correct fluid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for five years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first,
if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 309.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
306
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
radiator and fuel operated heater (FOH)
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs
rst. Any repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would not
get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the proper
mixture of the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 409for more information.
307
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
313