Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Tire PSI
Shows the pressure and location of each tire, except for
the spare tire. The tire location will blink when under
pressure.
Blank Screen
Shows a blank screen. Pressing the C/T button returns to
the Compass and Temperature display. Pressing the STEP
button returns you to the Average Miles per Gallon
display.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL
symbol will be displayed.
After completing three 360 degree turns in an area free
from large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will
turn off and the compass will function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL symbol does
not appear, you must manually put the compass into the
“Calibration” mode.
To Put Into a Calibration Mode
Turn on the ignition and set the display to “Compass/
Temperature.” Press and hold the RESET button (more
than 10 seconds) to change the display between VARI-
ANCE (compass variance) and CAL (compass calibra-
tion) modes. When the CAL symbol is displayed com-
plete three 360 degree turns in an area free from large
metal objects or power lines. The CAL symbol will turn
off and the compass will function normally.
Compass Varianceis the difference between magnetic
north and geographic north. In some areas of the country,
the difference between magnetic and geographic north is
great enough to cause the compass to give false readings.
If this occurs, the compass variance must be set according
to the Compass Variance Map.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Tachometer
Indicates the permissible engine revolutions-per-minute
for each gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up
on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
2. Turn Signal Indicator Light
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signals, when using the multi-function control
lever. A chime will sound if the turn signals are left on
continuously for 2 miles (3 km) until they are deacti-
vated.
3. High Beam Indicator Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the multi-function control lever to-
wards the steering wheel to switch the headlights from
high to low beam.4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a ’Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light” when one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” illuminates, you should stop
166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the “Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.”
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible chime will
be activated when one or more tire pressures is low. The
“Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will flash on
and off for 60 seconds when a system fault is detected.
The flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the
fault condition is removed and reset.CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warnings have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. After-market wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
6. 4LO Mode Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the 4 LO four–wheel drive mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
4
▫Shifting Procedure....................228
▫Selec-TracOperating Information/Precautions —
If Equipped.........................229
▫Shift Positions........................232
▫Shifting Procedure....................232
Trac-Lok™ Rear Axle — If Equipped.........234
On-Road Driving Tips...................235
Off-Road Driving Tips...................235
▫When To Use 4L Or 4LO (Low) Range......235
▫Driving Through Water.................236
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........237
▫HillClimbing ........................237
▫Traction Downhill.....................238▫After Driving Off-Road.................238
Parking Brake.........................240
Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped.......241
Power Steering........................243
Tire Safety Information...................245
▫Tire Markings........................245
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........248
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........249
Tires — General Information...............253
▫Tire Pressure.........................253
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................254
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation....256
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................256
208 STARTING AND OPERATING
▫TireSpinning ........................257
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................257
▫LifeOfTire .........................258
▫Replacement Tires.....................259
▫Alignment And Balance.................260
Tire Chains...........................260
Tire Rotation Recommendations............261
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........262
▫Base System — If Equipped..............264
▫Base System With Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)– If Equipped..............266
▫Premium System — If Equipped..........268
▫Check TPM System....................270▫General Information...................272
Fuel Requirements (Gasoline Engines)........273
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................274
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............274
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................274
▫Materials Added To Fuel................275
▫Fuel System Cautions..................275
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............276
Adding Fuel..........................277
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............277
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............279
Vehicle Loading........................280
▫Certification Label.....................280
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
5
WARNING!
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leaving
your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage or
injury. Also, be certain to leave an automatic trans-
mission in P (Park), a manual transmission in R
(Reverse) or 1st gear. Failure to do so may allow the
vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake or the gear selector lever. Don’t
leave the keys in the ignition. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving, failure to do so can lead to brake problems
due to excessive heating of the rear brakes.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
The parking brake should always be applied whenever
the driver is not in the vehicle.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Anti-Lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
5
WARNING!
Significant over or under-inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If for any reason, your
foot is on the brake when the vehicle reaches 12 mph
(20 km/h), this check will be delayed until 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The Anti-Lock Brake System pump motor runs during
the self-test and during an ABS stop to provide the
regulated hydraulic pressure. The motor pump makes a
low humming noise during operation, this is normal.During off-road use, loss of traction can temporarily
defeat the system and cause the warning light to illumi-
nate. Turn the ignition OFF and ON again to restore
Anti-Lock Brake System function.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
242 STARTING AND OPERATING