Page 249 of 456

▫Alignment And Balance.................294
Tire Chains...........................295
Tire Rotation Recommendations............296
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........297
▫Base System — If Equipped..............298
▫Premium System — If Equipped..........301
▫General Information...................306
Fuel Requirements......................307
▫3.7/4.7L Engines (If Equipped)............307
▫5.7L Engines (If Equipped)...............307
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................308
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............308
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................309▫Materials Added To Fuel................309
▫Fuel System Cautions..................310
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............310
Flexible Fuel (4.7L Only) — If Equipped......311
▫E-85 General Information................311
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................312
▫Fuel Requirements....................312
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......313
▫Starting............................313
▫Cruising Range.......................313
▫Replacement Parts.....................313
▫Maintenance.........................314
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5
Page 250 of 456
Adding Fuel..........................314
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............314
Vehicle Loading........................317
▫Certification Label.....................317
Trailer Towing.........................319
▫Common Towing Definitions.............319
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............323
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........324
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............326▫Towing Requirements..................327
▫Towing Tips.........................331
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 333
▫Towing – 2WD Models.................333
▫Towing — Quadra-Trac I
(Single-Speed Transfer Case) 4WD Models....333
▫Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive II
4WD Models........................333
Snow Plow...........................337
250 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 251 of 456
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Start the engine with the gear selector in the N (Neutral)
or P (Park) position. Apply the brakes before shifting to
any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
5
Page 252 of 456
NOTE:The starter motor may run up to 30 seconds in
very cold conditions until the engine is started. The
starter can be disengaged by turning the ignition key to
the OFF position, if required.Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F (–29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
Ignition Key Positions
252 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 253 of 456
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
Refer to Section 6 of this manual for proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5
Page 254 of 456
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15–
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold
Weather” procedures should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 255 of 456

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with
grounded, three wire extension cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.
The engine block heater cord is located:
•3.7L/4.7L Engine — coiled and strapped to the engine
oil dipstick tube.
•5.7L Engine — bundled and fastened to the injector
harness.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into P (Park) only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of R (Reverse) only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from R (Reverse), P (Park), or N
(Neutral) into any forward gear when the engine
is above idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5
Page 256 of 456

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P
(Park) or N (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of P (Park) and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of P
(Park).
5–Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
Automatic Shift Controls
256 STARTING AND OPERATING