When the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument
panel lights are not on unless you turn the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when they are needed.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such
as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and
the instrument panel lights. The radio lights
will also be dim.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel that controls the automatic
headlamp system. Make sure it is not covered or
the automatic headlamp system will be on
when it is not needed.
There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and
the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRLand automatic headlamp systems will only be
affected when the light sensor sees a change in
lighting lasting longer than this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on
immediately. Once you leave the garage, it takes
about one minute for the automatic headlamp
system to change to DRL if it is light outside.
During that delay, the instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in the full
bright position. See “Instrument Panel Brightness
Control” underInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 151.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the ignition on and set the
exterior light switch to the off/on position. For
Canadian vehicles, the transmission must stay in
PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamps when they are needed.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let antilock work for you.
You might hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The
system operates only if it senses that one or
both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transmission to limit wheel spin. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Also, the traction control system activates
the appropriate corner brakes to gain even quicker
control to limit wheel spin. The LOW TRACTION
message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when the traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 145.
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The TCS operates in all transmission shift lever
positions except PARK (P), NEUTRAL (N) or
REVERSE (R). But the system can upshift
the transmission only as high as the shift lever
position you’ve chosen, so you should use
the lower gears only when necessary. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 116.
This light is located on
the instrument panel
cluster.
When the system is on, this warning light will
come on to let you know if there’s a problem, or if
the system has been turned off. When this light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you prefer.To turn the system on or off, press the traction
control button (TC) located on the center console.
In order to effectively “rock” the vehicle, you
will need to turn off TCS.
If you press the TC button once, the TCS will turn
off, the TRACTION OFF message will display and
the TCS warning light will come on. The
StabiliTrak
®system will stay on. Press the TC
button again to turn the system back on. The TCS
warning light will go off. If you press and hold the
TC button, the StabiliTrak
®system and the traction
control system will turn off. Press the TC button
again to turn StabiliTrak
®and the traction control
system back on. For more information, see
Electronic Stability Control on page 219.
When you turn the system off, the TCS warning
light will come on and stay on. If the Traction
Control System is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on – but the system won’t turn off
right away. It will wait until there’s no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 253for more
information.
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Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the ESC, ABS and brake
warning lights and the SERVICE ESC message
are displayed, you could damage the transfer
case. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt
upshifts/downshifts of the transmission. When this
happens, you may notice a reduction in
acceleration, or may hear a noise or vibration.
This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the ESC ACTIVE message will appear
and the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to use cruise
again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 145.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. If the
problem does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your retailer for service.Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 253for more
information.
Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
electric power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 182.
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