Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 174.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 402.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the automatic transmission shift
lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to.
If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle
will not move, even when it is on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the automatic transmission
shift lever to PARK (P), or the manual
transmission shift lever to NEUTRAL.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 255
Traction Off Light...................................... 256
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 256
Transmission Temperature Gage............... 257
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 258
Oil Pressure Gage..................................... 262
Security Light............................................ 263
Cruise Control Light.................................. 263
Highbeam On Light................................... 263
Four-Wheel-Drive Light.............................. 263
Tow/Haul Mode Light................................ 264
Cargo Lamp Light..................................... 264
Fuel Gage................................................. 264
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 265
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 265
DIC Operation and Displays...................... 266
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 270
DIC Vehicle Customization........................ 282Audio System(s)......................................... 289
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 290
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 291
AM-FM Radio............................................ 291
Radio with CD........................................... 294
Radio with Cassette and CD..................... 304
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 318
XM Radio Messages................................. 332
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 334
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)............................. 347
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 348
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 349
Radio Reception........................................ 350
Care of the Cassette Tape Player............. 350
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 352
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 352
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 353
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 353
Chime Level Adjustment............................ 353
Section 3 Instrument Panel
208
Temperature Control
Driver’s Side:The lever on the left side of the
climate control panel is used to raise or lower the
temperature on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
This lever also adjusts the temperature to
the center console outlets, if the vehicle has them.
Passenger’s Side:The lever on the right side
of the climate control panel is used to raise
or lower the temperature on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When
the button is pressed, an indicator light will come
on and the system will begin to cool and
dehumidify the air inside of your vehicle. You may
notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of
high humidity (moisture) condensing on the
cool window glass. This can be minimized if the
climate control system is used properly. There are
two modes to choose from to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select one of the following
modes:
-(Defog):This mode directs the air to the oor
outlets, windshield and the side window outlets.
The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically to dehumidify the air to prevent
window fogging. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
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When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will
run when the outside temperature is over
about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be
set to outside air. If it is hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch to recirculate
inside air to help quickly cool down your
vehicle. The light on the button will come on in
recirculation.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F
(23°C) temperature setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to regulate. Turn the
driver’s or passenger’s side temperature
knob to adjust the temperature setting as
necessary. If you choose the temperature
setting of 60°F (15°C) the system will remain
at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C)
the system will remain at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either maximum setting
will not cause the vehicle to heat or cool
any faster.Be careful not to cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument panel
near the windshield. This sensor regulates air
temperature based on sun intensity. It also
turns on the headlamps. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until
warm air is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature.
Pressing the fan switch will override this delay
and change the fan to a selected speed.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire
climate control system. Outside air will still
enter the vehicle, and will be directed to the oor.
This direction can be changed by pressing the
mode button. The temperature can also be
adjusted using either temperature knob. Press the
up or down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost
button, the AUTO button, or the air conditioning
button to turn the system on when it is off.
237
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on brie y when
you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly – and even dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with warning lights and
gages. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 270.
244
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour
(km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven, in either miles (used in the
United States) or kilometers (used in Canada).
Engine Hour Meter Display
The Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
display the number of hours the engine has run.
To display the hour meter, turn the ignition
off, press and hold the reset button for at least
four seconds. The hour meter will be displayed for
up to 30 seconds, or until the ignition is turned
on. SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 266
for more information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your
vehicle has been driven since you last set the trip
odometer to zero.
Press the reset button, located on the instrument
panel cluster next to the trip odometer display,
to toggle between the trip odometer and the
regular odometer. Holding the reset button for
approximately one second while the trip odometer
is displayed will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition
off, press the reset button.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 266for
more information.
Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm). See “Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
®)” underTow/Haul Mode
on page 147for more information.
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the solid red area, your vehicle
could be damaged. The damages would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not
operate the engine in the solid red area.
246
Battery Warning Light
If this light comes on
when the engine is
running, there could be
a problem with the
charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key
is in RUN until the engine is started.
If the light stays on after starting the engine it
could indicate a problem with the generator drive
belt, or some other charging system problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not
running, but the ignition
is in RUN, this gage
shows your battery’s
state of charge in
DC volts.
While the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage
may transition from a higher to lower or a lower to
higher reading. This is normal. Readings
between the low and high warning zones indicate
the normal operating range. The voltmeter
gage may also read lower when in fuel economy
mode. This is normal.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur
when a large number of electrical accessories are
operating in the vehicle and the engine is left at
an idle for an extended period.
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This condition is normal since the charging system
is not able to provide full power at engine idle.
As engine speeds are increased, this condition
should correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a
possible problem in the electrical system. Have
the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Up-Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
Your vehicle may have
an up-shift light.
It will come on when you should shift to the next
highest gear. It will help the vehicle get the
best fuel economy.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning
light will ash when you set the parking brake. The
light will ash if the parking brake does not
release fully. If you try to drive with the parking
brake engaged, a chime will sound when the
vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime
sounds there could be a brake problem. Have
your brake system inspected right away.
United StatesCanada
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