A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward
facing child restraint. SeeWhere to Put the
Restraint on page 56. If you need to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat
position, move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward-facing child restraint.
SeeManual Seats on page 9orPower Seats on
page 10.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. The right front
passenger’s airbag could in ate even
though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly. Until you have the vehicle
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
serviced, do not let anyone whom the
national government has identi ed as a
member of a passenger airbag risk group
sit in the right front passenger’s position
(for example, do not secure a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat). SeeAirbag Off Switch
on page 93.
If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 58.
If your vehicle has a rear seat, there is no top
tether anchor at the right front seating position. Do
not secure a child seat in this position if a
national or local law requires that the top tether be
anchored or if the instructions that come with
the child restraint say that the top tether must be
anchored. SeeLower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH) on page 58if the child restraint
has a top tether.
72
There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 250for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.
86
See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” in the
Index for additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag system. If
this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 250for more on
this, including important safety
information.A thick layer of additional material, such as a
blanket or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such
as seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers
can affect how well the passenger sensing
system operates. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment.
SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 102for more information
about modi cations that can affect how the system
operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
101
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent
system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent
system. This means you do not have to do anything
special to arm or disarm the system. It works when
you transition the key to RUN, ACCESSORY or
START from the OFF position.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that
someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the
vehicle from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of
electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light
on the instrument panel cluster comes on
when trying to start the vehicle, the key may have
a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off
and try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key
appears to be undamaged, try another ignition
key. At this time, you may also want to check the
fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 608. If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See
your dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+
to have a new key made. In an emergency,
contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
learn the transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to nine additional keys may
be programmed for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming additional keys only.
If all the currently programmed keys are lost or
do not operate, you must see your dealer or
a locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to
have keys made and programmed to the system.
130
Active Fuel Management™
Your vehicle’s V8 engine may have Active Fuel
Management™. This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its cylinders,
depending on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate
in the half cylinder mode, allowing your vehicle to
achieve better fuel economy. When greater
power demands are required, such as accelerating
from a stop, passing, or merging onto a freeway,
the system will maintain full-cylinder operation.
Your vehicle has an Active Fuel Management™
indicator. For more information on using this
display seeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 268orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 275.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle is has an automatic transmission,
it has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the RUN position.There are several different positions for the
shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
Hydra-Matic®4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Allison Transmission®or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
Automatic Transmission
138
The tow/haul mode adjusts the transmission shift
pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing or hauling
heavy loads.
The selector button is located on the end of
the shift lever. Turn the tow/haul on and off by
pressing the button. When the tow/haul is on, a
light on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 266for more
information.
Also see Tow Haul Mode underTowing a Trailer
on page 445for more information.Tow/Haul Mode (Allison Transmission®
or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
If your vehicle has an Allison or Hydra-Matic®
6-speed automatic transmission®, it has a tow/haul
mode. The tow/haul mode adjusts the transmission
shift pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing or hauling
heavy loads.
145
Turn the tow/haul mode on and off by pressing the
button, located on the end of the shift lever.
When the tow/haul is on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 266for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 445for more information.
Grade Braking (Allison Transmission®
or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
The Grade Braking shift modes can be activated
by pressing the button on the end of the shift
control lever. While in Range Selection Mode,
Grade Braking is deactivated allowing the driver to
select a desired range of gears.Grade Braking is only active while the Tow/Haul
Mode is selected and you are not in the Range
Selection Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode listed
previously andAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 138for more information on the Range
Selection Mode. Grade Braking assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving
on downhill grades by automatically implementing
a shift schedule that utilizes the engine and
transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the braking system and increases control
of the vehicle. Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque and brake
pedal usage. Using this information, it detects
when the truck is on a downhill grade and
the driver desires to slow the vehicle by pressing
the brake. See the diesel supplement for
information on Cruise Grade Braking.
Also seeTowing a Trailer on page 445for more
information.
146
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 246
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 247
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 248
Trip Odometer........................................... 248
Tachometer............................................... 248
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 249
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
(1500 Series)......................................... 249
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 250
Airbag Off Light......................................... 250
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 252
Charging System Light.............................. 254
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 255
Brake System Warning Light..................... 256
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 257
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light......................... 258
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 258
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 259
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 260
Oil Pressure Gage..................................... 263
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 264
Security Light............................................ 264Fog Lamp Light......................................... 265
Cruise Control Light.................................. 265
Highbeam On Light................................... 265
Four-Wheel-Drive Light.............................. 265
Tow/Haul Mode Light................................ 266
Fuel Gage................................................. 266
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 267
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 267
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)................................. 268
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)............................ 275
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 279
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)................................. 289
Audio System(s)......................................... 300
Setting the Time........................................ 301
AM-FM Radio............................................ 304
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 306
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 312
Radio with CD and DVD (MP3) ................. 322
Section 3 Instrument Panel
204