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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.....................251
▫Normal Starting......................251
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F (–29°C) . . 252
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................252
▫After Starting........................254
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........255
Automatic Transmission..................255
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......256
▫5–Speed Automatic Transmission..........256▫Gear Ranges.........................257
▫Rocking The Vehicle...................263
Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............264
▫Quadra-Trac IOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....264
▫Quadra-Trac IIOperating
Instructions/Precautions — If Equipped.....264
▫Shift Positions........................265
▫Shifting Procedures....................266
▫Quadra-Drive IISystem — If Equipped.....269
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On-Road Driving Tips...................269
Off-Road Driving Tips...................270
▫When To Use 4WD Low Range —
If Equipped.........................270
▫Driving Through Water.................270
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........271
▫Hill Climbing........................271
▫Traction Downhill.....................272
▫After Driving Off-Road.................273
Parking Brake.........................274
Anti-Lock Brake System..................275
Power Steering........................278
Multi Displacement System (MDS) - 5.7L Engine
Only................................279Tire Safety Information...................280
▫Tire Markings........................280
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........283
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........284
Tires — General Information...............288
▫Tire Pressure.........................288
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................289
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation....291
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................291
▫Tire Spinning........................291
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................292
▫Life Of Tire.........................293
▫Replacement Tires.....................293
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▫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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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