Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-6
Door Locks....................................................2-6
Power Door Locks..........................................2-7
Windows.........................................................2-8
Manual Windows............................................2-8
Power Windows.............................................2-9
Sliding Rear Window.......................................2-9
Sun Visors....................................................2-9
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-10
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-10
Ignition Positions..........................................2-11
Engine Starter Over-Crank Protection..............2-12
Starting the Gasoline Engine..........................2-12
Starting the Diesel Engine..............................2-14
Engine Alarm and Automatic Shutdown............2-18
Idle Shutdown..............................................2-19
High Idle System..........................................2-20
Exhaust Restrictor (Engine Warm-Up)..............2-22
Engine Checks Before Operating....................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake.........................2-26
Two-Speed Rear Axle...................................2-27
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-29
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-30
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................2-32
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-32
Parking.......................................................2-37
Parking Brake (With Hydraulic Brakes).............2-38
Parking Brake (With Air Brakes)......................2-41
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure....................2-43
Air Suspension.............................................2-44
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-44
Engine Exhaust............................................2-45
Diesel Particulate Filter (Diesel Engine)............2-46
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-50
Mirrors...........................................................2-51
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-51
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-51
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirrors.................................2-52
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-52
Storage Areas................................................2-53
Center Console Storage.................................2-53
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Let the engine warm up before you operate your
vehicle under load.
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed, fast or slow, for
the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Use the lowest gear you can when you start a
loaded vehicle in motion and when going up
hills to avoid overloading the engine.
Check and adjust engine and transmission uid
levels often and be sure tires are properly
in ated for the load you are carrying.
When new, parking brake linings have not yet
been broken in. When linings are new, it is
possible that the vehicle could move while the
parking brake is applied. Before using the
parking brake on grades, follow the parking
brake burnish procedure. SeeParking Brake
Burnish Procedure on page 2-43.
If you have a Caterpillar®diesel engine, see the
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation and
Maintenance Manual.
2-10
Ignition Positions
With your key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions.
A (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off. To get into ACCESSORY,
push in the key and turn it toward you. Your steering
wheel will remain locked, just as it was before you
inserted the key.
B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It does not lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off.
D (ON/RUN):This is the position for driving.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACCESSORY or RUN position with the engine off.
You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an
easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the
key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime
will sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always
remember to remove your key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock your ignition and transaxle.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an
extended period of time.
2-11
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.
2-12
Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
2. If the engine does not start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down and crank the
engine for five more seconds, unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Do Steps 1 through 3 again.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
If you ever need to have your vehicle towed, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-24.
Gasoline Engine Warm-Up
When you have started your engine, let it run for
20 or 30 seconds to warm up before you put a load on
the engine.
Drive at moderate speeds for the first 2 to 3 miles
(3.2 to 4.8 km), especially in cold weather. SeeHigh
Idle System on page 2-20.
Restarting the Gasoline Engine While
Moving (Automatic Transmission)
If you have to restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, you will first have to shift to NEUTRAL (N). This
safety feature prevents starting the engine when the
transmission is in a drive gear.
Stopping the Gasoline Engine
Let your engine idle for a few seconds before turning it
off after you have finished driving your vehicle.
If you shift to NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), set the
parking brake.
If your vehicle has a two-speed axle, put the range
selector in low. To be sure the axle has shifted into low,
engage the clutch and transmission; the vehicle may
move slightly when you do this.
2-13
While your engine is idling and before you turn it off,
you can make a list of any operational or handling
concerns to give to responsible maintenance personnel
so they can handle them right away.
Moisture will condense in a fuel tank that is almost
empty if the engine has not run for a while, even just
overnight under some conditions. So, it is always best to
refuel your vehicle at the end of each run.
Starting the Diesel Engine
Your vehicle’s diesel engine starts differently than a
gasoline engine. Read the following pages to learn how
to start, restart, warm-up, and stop your diesel engine.
The information applies to Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine,
6.6L DURAMAX®Diesel Engine, Isuzu 6H Diesel
Engine, unless otherwise noted.
If you have a Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine, also refer to
your Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for the starting procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). The
engine will not start in any other position — that is a
safety feature. To restart when you are already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
Move the shift lever to NEUTRAL and hold the clutch
pedal to the floor while starting the engine. Your vehicle
will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down — that is a safety feature.
2-14
Cold Weather Starting
If your vehicle has the 6.6L DURAMAX®Diesel Engine
and the Isuzu 6H Diesel Engine, the following notice
applies:
Notice:Your diesel engine has an electric air
intake heater system which reduces white smoke
and helps start the engine in cold weather. Do
not spray starting uid into the air intake where it
can contact the heater elements.
If you do not have the GM Automatic Ether Injection
System, do not use starting uid or you could
damage your engine. If you have the GM system,
use only GM approved starting uid that has
been tested to establish compatibility with the air
inlet heater system.
The following tips will help you get good starting in cold
weather.
•Use the recommended engine oil when the outside
temperature drops below freezing. SeeEngine Oil
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on page 5-23or
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-24or
Engine Oil (DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-28orEngine Oil (Isuzu Diesel Engine) on
page 5-32. When the outside temperature drops
below 0°F (−18°C), use of the optional engine
coolant block heater is recommended.
•If you experience longer cranking times, notice an
unusual amount of exhaust smoke or are at
higher altitudes (over 7,000 ft. or 2 135 m), you may
use your optional engine coolant block heater.
SeeEngine Coolant Heater on page 2-25.
•SeeWhat Fuel to Use on page 5-9for information
on what fuel to use in cold weather.
Cold Weather Starting (Caterpillar®
Diesel)
Because the diesel engine uses compression ignition, it
is harder to start in cold weather than a gasoline
engine. The air intake heater and use of the proper
engine oil, optional engine coolant heaters and optional
ether injection systems help cold weather starting.
See the Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for more information.
Restarting the Diesel Engine While
Moving (Automatic Transmission)
If you have to restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, you will first have to shift to NEUTRAL (N). This
safety feature prevents starting the engine when the
transmission is in a drive gear for more information.
2-16
Stopping the Diesel Engine
1. Apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake (With
Hydraulic Brakes) on page 2-38orParking Brake
(With Air Brakes) on page 2-41for parking
brake apply procedure.
2. Shift into NEUTRAL for a manual transmission or
PARK (P) for an automatic transmission.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
If your vehicle has a two-speed axle, see
Two-Speed Rear Axle on page 2-27.
If you have a Caterpillar
®diesel engine, see your
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation & Maintenance
Manual for additional information.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Several factors affect how quickly your diesel engine
warms up. These can include outside temperature,
engine load, idle time and your vehicle’s option content.
Your vehicle may be equipped with some features
that can help the engine reach operating temperature
sooner. Some of these features are discussed below.Also, remember that an automatic transmission adds
heat to the cooling system through the heat exchanger in
the radiator. Because of this, vehicles equipped with
automatic transmissions are often able to retain engine
coolant heat better than manual transmission vehicles.
See your Caterpillar
®Operation & Maintenance manual
for additional diesel engine warm-up information.
If Your Diesel Engine Will Not Start
If you have run out of fuel, seeRunning Out of Fuel on
page 5-17.
If you are not out of fuel, and your engine will not start,
do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. Immediately after the wait
to start light goes off, turn the ignition key to START.
If the light does not go off, wait a few seconds, then try
starting your engine again. And, see your dealer/retailer
as soon as you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you know
your batteries are charged, but your engine still will not
start, your vehicle needs service.
2-17