Engine Starter Over-Crank
Protection
Your vehicle may have an engine starter over-crank
protection system. If the starter motor overheats and
shuts off due to over-cranking, the motor must cool down
before it will reset and allow starter operation. It can take
up to six minutes before the starter will work again.
Starting the Gasoline Engine
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
shows the code letter for your engine. Use this
number to verify the type of engine in your vehicle. See
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on page 5-101.
Follow the proper steps to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, seeStarting the Diesel Engine
on page 2-14.
Automatic Transmission
Set the parking brake and move your shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), if so equipped. Your engine
will not start in any other position — that is a safety
feature.
Manual Transmission
Set the parking brake, shift to NEUTRAL (N) and
hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine.
Starter Motor Operation
•The starter motor will disengage if you release the
key or the engine reaches a predetermined engine
speed.
•To prevent overheating, the starter motor will
disengage after continuously operating for
15 seconds. You must release the key from the
start position to re-engage the starter.
•The starter motor will not engage if the engine is
already running.
•The starter motor will disengage if, after
two seconds, the starter pinion gear does not
engage the flywheel or there is no engine rpm
signal from the engine speed sensor.
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Pull off the road and shut off the engine. Do not start it
until the reason for the problem is known, and the
problem is fixed. If the engine shuts down when you are
still in traffic, you can restart the engine and get another
25 to 30 seconds of operation. Do this only if you have to,
since there is a problem that can harm the engine if it is
not fixed. Engine automatic shutdown, for gasoline
engines, requires activation by your dealer/retailer.
Notice:If you try to operate the vehicle after the
engine automatically shuts down, you may damage
the vehicle. Have your vehicle repaired as soon
as possible.
Ambulance, Fire, and Rescue Packages
Your check gages warning light will come on if the
system senses high engine temperature or low engine
oil pressure. If high engine temperature or low engine oil
pressure is detected, you will also hear a tone alarm
at two beats per second. The alarm and the light
will remain on until the condition is fixed. If the engine
temperature or oil pressure condition worsens, the
tone alarm will go to five beats per second.
If the system senses low engine coolant, the five beat
per second alarm and the low coolant warning light
will come on.
The engine will not shutdown, but you should have the
vehicle checked as soon as you can. SeeCheck
Gages Warning Light on page 3-42for more information.
Idle Shutdown
If your vehicle has a diesel engine it could have an
engine idle shutdown feature.
This feature automatically shuts down the engine after it
idles continuously for five minutes and if the following
conditions are met:
•The parking brake is set.
•The vehicle is at a complete stop.
•The automatic transmission is in NEUTRAL (N) or
PARK (P).
If the parking brake is not engaged, then the engine
shuts down after 15 minutes of continuous idling
operation.
The driver can reset the engine shutdown timer by
momentarily changing the position of the accelerator,
brake, or clutch pedal or by shifting the transmission out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Once reset, the engine
idle shutdown will restart the shutdown sequence
described above, and will continue to do so until the
engine shuts down or the vehicle is driven.
2-19
This system can be used to increase your engine idle
speed whenever the following conditions are met:
•The brake pedal is not pressed.
•The vehicle is at a complete stop for vehicles with
diesel engines. The vehicle must not be moving
and the accelerator must not be pressed for vehicles
with gasoline engines.
•If the vehicle has manual transmission the clutch
pedal is not pressed or, if the vehicle has the
automatic transmission it is in NEUTRAL (N) or
PARK (P).
The manual high idle feature is activated by pressing
the switch on the instrument panel. When the switch is
pressed again, or any of the previous conditions are
not met, manual high idle will be deactivated.
The manual high idle has been preset at the factory.
Your dealer may change the setting to fit your needs.
For vehicles with Caterpillar
®diesel engines, the
high idle switch can be used to set any desired high
idle speed.To set a new temporary engine idle speed do the
following:
1. Make sure all of the previously described conditions
are met.
2. Press the accelerator pedal to the desired engine
speed.
3. Momentarily press the manual high idle switch.
The temporary high idle speed will be set. This new high
idle rpm level will be remembered by the system until
either the ignition is turned to OFF or a new high
idle speed is set.
Automatic High Idle System
The automatic high idle feature will engage whenever
you start your vehicle and the engine is below the preset
operating temperature. This will help decrease engine
warm-up time.
On vehicles that have the Caterpillar
®diesel engine you
may have an exhaust restrictor that will operate in
High Idle mode. The exhaust brake switch must be on
for this feature to operate. SeeDiesel Engine Exhaust
Brake on page 2-26for more information.
Idle speed will then return to normal when the engine
reaches the preset operating temperature or has
been operating for at least 10 minutes.
2-21
Windshield Washer
L(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked with the
windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction
lever. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, press
the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and
then either stop or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has
this feature, it is located at
the end of the multifunction
lever.
T(Set):Pressing in this button at the end of the
lever sets the cruise control speed.
9(Off):Moving the switch to this position turns off
the cruise control.
R(On):Moving the switch to this position turns on the
cruise control.
S(Resume/Accelerate):Moving the switch to this
position turns on resume/accelerate.
3-10
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch briefly from on
to resume/accelerate.
The vehicle will return to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate, the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or
apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, don’t
hold the switch at resume/accelerate.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
•Move the cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the
speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briefly to resume/accelerate.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, tap the button
briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
slower.
3-12
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
While the engine is running, press the reset button,
located to the right of the trip odometer, to toggle
between the trip odometer and the regular odometer.
Holding the reset button for two seconds while the
engine is running and the trip odometer is displayed,
will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
The hourmeter gage is accessed through the trip
odometer, for more information seeHourmeter Gage
on page 3-46.
Tachometer
This gage shows the safe operating range for the
engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).7.2L Caterpillar
®Diesel
Engine and Isuzu
6H Diesel EnginesGasoline and
6.6L DURAMAX®
Diesel Engines
3-26
Low Oil Level Light
Your vehicle may have a
low oil level light.
This light should come on as a check, when you start
your engine. If the light fails to come on, have it repaired
as soon as possible so you will be aware when the oil
level is low.
Vehicles that have Caterpillar
®diesel engines may not
have a low oil level light. In this case, the light will
neither come on as a check when you start your engine,
nor will it come on to indicate a low oil level.
If this light comes on and stays on, it means your
engine is low on oil. You need to check the oil level
right away. SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine)
on page 5-23orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-24orEngine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-28orEngine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine) on
page 5-32for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Light
The change engine oil light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have
it serviced.
If the change engine oil light comes on and stays on
after you start the engine, have the oil changed.
For additional information on when to change engine oil
for gasoline engines or DURAMAX
®diesel engines,
seeEngine Oil (Caterpillar®Diesel Engine) on page 5-23
orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-24or
Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine) on page 5-28or
Engine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine) on page 5-32and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-5. To reset the
change engine oil light, seeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-36orEngine Oil Life
System (DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Diesel Engines) on
page 5-37orEngine Oil Life System (Caterpillar®Diesel
Engine) on page 5-39.
3-38
Diesel Particulate Filter
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
two Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) Warning lights.
These lights will come on briefly when the ignition is
turned to ON. One of these lights will come on
green during DPF regeneration. If the other light comes
on yellow, perform a manual regeneration or drive
the vehicle for automatic regeneration. If the light
changes from yellow to red, the DPF requires an
immediate regeneration. If the DPF is not regenerated,
the service engine soon light will come on and engine
power will be reduced.
SeeDiesel Particulate Filter (Diesel Engine) on
page 2-46andReduced Engine Power Light on
page 3-41for more information.
Air Filter Restriction Indicator
If your vehicle has this
feature, the gage is
located above the
switchbank in the center
of the instrument panel.
It monitors the engine
air filter.
As the filter gets dirty, the yellow indicator will begin to
rise. When it reaches the red/orange change area,
the filter should be replaced.
After replacing the filter, reset the gage by pressing in
the yellow reset button at the bottom of the gage.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, also see your
Caterpillar®Operation & Maintenance Manual.
3-45