Page 176 of 395

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. If you decide to look under the hood your-
self, refer to Section 7 of this manual. Follow the
warnings under ªCooling System Pressure Cap.º
14. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Cen-
terº later in this section.
15. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Warning
Light/Brake Assist System (BAS) Warning Light Ð If
Equipped
The ESP/BAS warning light in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ªONº position. The light should
go out with the engine running. If the ESP/
BAS warning light comes on continuously with the
engine running, a malfunction has been detected in either
the ESP or the BAS system. If this light stays illuminated,
have the ESP and BAS checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 180 of 395
²LIFTGATE/DOORS OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGLASS OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/DOOR OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/DOORS OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGATE/HOOD OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/GLASS/DOOR OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/GLASS/DOORS OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/GATE/DOOR OPEN (with graphic)
²HOOD/GATE/DOORS OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGLASS/DOOR OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGLASS/DOORS OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGLASS/HOOD OPEN (with graphic)
²WASHER FLUID LOW (with graphic)
²UPSHIFT (with graphic)
²CHECK GAUGES
²AUTO HIGHBEAM ON
²AUTO HIGHBEAM OFF
²PARK ASSIST DISABLED
²SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM
²TRANSMISSION OVER TEMP
²LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
²WARNING! LIMIT SPEED
²CHECK GAS CAP
²ESP OFF
²MEMORY #1 POSITIONS SET
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 231 of 395
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................234
NNormal Starting......................234
NExtreme Cold Weather (Below ±20ÉF (±29ÉC) . . 235
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................235
NAfter Starting........................237
mAutomatic Transmission..................238
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......238
N5±Speed Automatic Transmission..........239
NGear Ranges.........................239NRocking The Vehicle...................241
mAutoStick............................241
NAutoStick Operation...................242
NAutoStick General Information............243
mParking Brake.........................244
mAnti-Lock Brake System..................245
mPower Steering........................248
mTire Safety Information...................250
NTire Markings........................250
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Page 234 of 395

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.
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.
234 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 238 of 395

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into P (Park) only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of R (Reverse) only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from R (Reverse), P (Park), or N
(Neutral) into any forward gear when the engine
is above idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
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).
238 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 239 of 395

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.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.
Gear Ranges
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold. If
there is a need to restart the engine be sure to cycle the
key to the LOCK position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after restarting the
engine if the key is not cycled to the LOCK position first.
Automatic Shift Controls
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
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Page 240 of 395

P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should apply
the park brake, shift the transmission into P (Park),
and remove the key from the ignition. Once the key
is removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle.
R (Reverse)
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
N (Neutral)
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can roll
freely. Do not engage in N (Neutral) position while
driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
D (Drive)
The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The D (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions. For
additional shifting information, refer to ªAutostickº later
in this section.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 241 of 395

Rocking the Vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between D (Drive) and R (Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
NOTE:The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Traction Control (if equipped) should be turned OFF
before attempting to rock the vehicle. Refer to ªElectronic
Brake Control Systemº in Section 3 of this manual.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Racing the engine or
spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of not freeing
the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector in N (Neutral) for at least one minute after everyfive rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
CAUTION!
When ªrockingº a stuck vehicle by moving between
ªFirstº and R (Reverse), do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
AUTOSTICK
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide the driver
with more control. Autostick allows the driver to increase
engine braking ability, control upshift and downshift
points, and enhance the driving experience. This system
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5