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Your tailgate is removable to allow
more room for loading.
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Use a screwdriver to pry the
spring clip (on each connector) past
the head of the support screw.
Disconnect cable.
3. Disconnect the other cable.
4. Lift tailgate to a 45–degree angle
from horizontal.
5. Lift right side off of its hinge.
6. Lift tailgate to a 80–degree angle from horizontal.
7. Remove tailgate from left side hinge by sliding tailgate to the right.
To install, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
Exterior tiedown hooks
Exterior tiedown hooks mounted on
the side of the pickup box:
•can be used to secure loads
within the pickup box.
•can be used to secure half the
tonneau cover in an open
position.
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CARGO CAGE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo cage designed to extend the
pickup box for larger loads.
To extend the cargo cage:
1. Lower tailgate.
2. Pull the lever on each side of the
cargo cage to release it from the
pickup box.
3. Lift the cargo cage over onto the
tailgate.
4. Evenly push down on the cargo
cage and push the lever in on each
side locking it in place.
To stow the cargo cage, follow steps
one through four in reverse order.
The cargo cage may be used to
secure a load of up to 100 lb.
(46 kg) on the tailgate.
The cargo cage should always be
kept in the stowed position with
the tailgate closed when not in use.
Activating Cargo Cage Theft
Deterrent Device:
The following procedure can be
done with the cargo cage in the
stowed or extended position.
1. Locate the Phillips head screw in
the middle of the vertical brace on
the locking clip.
2. Turn the screw counterclockwise
until you hear an audible click.
3. To deactivate, turn the screw clockwise until the locking clip moves
freely.
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To remove the cargo cage:
1. Extend the cargo cage.
2. Pull the lever on each side of the
cage to unlock it.
Make sure the locking clip screws
are loose before removing the cargo
cage.
3. Press the locking clips below the
middle bar and lift the cargo cage
out of the channels on the “D” pillar.
To install the cargo cage, follow the removal procedure in reverse order.
TONNEAU COVER (IF EQUIPPED)
The tonneau cover has been designed to maximize fuel economy and
should be fully installed whenever possible.
The rear panel can be folded in half and secured behind the cab, or the
whole cover can be removed completely from the vehicle.
To avoid damage to the cover, do not operate the vehicle unless
the cover is fully installed and securely latched, or securely
stowed.
To avoid damage to the cover, do not stand, sit or load anything
on top of the cover.
The tonneau cover has been designed to be a water resistant system. A
small amount of water may drain into the pickup box with the cover
installed.
To open the front panel:
•Open the driver side lock cover
and unlock the front panel using
your ignition key.
•Lift the panel to access items in
the pickup box near the cab.
•To close, lower the panel down
on the pickup box.
Do not drive with front panel
unlocked or folded on top of the
rear panel.
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To open the rear panel:
•Open the lock cover and unlock
the rear panel using your ignition
key.
•Lift the rear panel to access items
in the pickup box.
•To close, lower the rear panel on
the pickup box.
To stow the rear panel:
•Before driving with the rear panel
open, unlock the rear panel.
•Lift the rear panel up, lay it on
top of the front panel and secure
it with the two straps to the
exterior tiedowns on the pickup
box.
Failure to secure the rear panel
could damage the tonneau cover
or vehicle.
To remove the tonneau cover:
The tonneau cover weighs 70 lb.
(29 kg) and needs to be supported
during removal since the panels will
automatically lock when set down
on the pickup box. This is a two
person operation.
•Unlock and support the front and
rear panels.
•Fold the rear panel on top of the
front panel.
•Pull the release levers on the underside of the tonneau cover from the
pickup box and remove the cover.
For installation of the tonneau cover, reverse the removal procedure.
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The storage compartments have
been designed to be a water
resistant system. A small amount of
water may drain into the storage
compartments with the lid closed.
1. Turn latch counterclockwise to
unlock and open the storage
compartment.
2. To close, lower the lid and turn
latch clockwise to lock.
Interior tiedown hooks
Mounted inside the pickup box,
each tiedown hook can secure loads
up to 200 lb. (90 kg). Total pickup
box cargo weight is not to exceed
overall vehicle payload, refer to
Vehicle loadingin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
LUGGAGE RACK
Your vehicle is equipped with a roof rack. The maximum recommended
load is 100 lb. (44 kg), evenly distributed. If it is not possible to
distribute the load, position it as far rearward as possible. Use the tie
down loops on the thumbwheels (if equipped) to secure the load.
To adjust cross-bar position (if
equipped):
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide the cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
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KEYS
One key operates the door, tailgate, and tonneau cover locks and starts
the vehicle. Always carry a spare key with you in case of an emergency.
Your door and ignition keys are programmed to your vehicle; using a
non-programmed key will not permit your vehicle to start. If you lose
your authorized dealer supplied keys, replacement keys are available
through your authorized dealer. Refer to theSecuriLock™ passive
anti-theft systemsection later in this chapter for more information.
POWER DOOR LOCKS
Press control to unlock or lock all
doors.
Smart unlocking feature
The smart unlocking feature helps prevent you from locking yourself out
of the vehicle. With the key in any ignition position, the driver’s door will
automatically unlock if it is locked using the lock control on the driver’s
door panel while the driver’s door is open.
Autolock
The autolock feature will lock all the doors when:
•all doors are closed,
•the ignition is in the 3 (ON) position,
•you shift into any gear putting the vehicle in motion, and
•the vehicle attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The autolock feature repeats when:
•any door is opened then closed while the ignition is in the 3 (ON)
position and the vehicle speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower, and
•the vehicle attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).
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Deactivating/activating autolock
Your vehicle comes with the autolock feature enabled. There are four
methods to enable/disable this feature:
•Through your authorized dealer, or
•Performing the power door lock control procedure, or
•Performing the keyless entry key pad (if equipped) procedure, or
•Performing the message center (if equipped) procedure.
Note:The autolock feature can be activated/deactivated independently
of the autounlock feature.
Before following the activation or deactivation procedures, make sure
that the anti-theft system is not armed, ignition is in the 1 (OFF/LOCK)
position, and all vehicle doors are closed.
Power door unlock/lock procedure
You must complete Steps 1-5 within
30 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated. If the
procedure needs to be repeated,
you must wait 30 seconds.Note:
Alldoors must be closed and
remain closed throughout the
configuration process.
1. Turn the ignition to the 3 (ON) position.
2. Press the power door unlock control three times.
3. Turn the ignition from the 3 (ON) to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position.
4. Press the power door unlock control three times.
5. Turn the ignition back to the 3 (ON) position. The horn will chirp.
6. Press the unlock control, then press the lock control. The horn will
chirp once if autolock was deactivated or twice (one short and one long
chirp) if autolock was activated.
7. Turn the ignition to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position. The horn will chirp
once to confirm the procedure is complete.
Keyless entry key pad procedure
1. Turn the ignition to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position.
2. Close all doors.
3. Enter 5–digit entry code
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4. Press and hold the 3•4. While holding the 3•4 press the 7•8.
5. Release the 7•8.
6. Release the 3•4.
The user should receive a horn chirp to indicate the system has been
disabled or a chirp followed by a honk to indicate the system has been
enabled.
Message center procedure
For information on activating/deactivating the autolock feature using the
vehicle’s message center (if equipped), refer toMessage center
information in theDriver Controlschapter.
Autounlock
The autounlock feature will unlock all the doors when:
•the ignition is in the 3 (ON) position, all the doors are closed, and the
vehicle has been in motion at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h);
•the vehicle has then come to a stop and the ignition is turned to the 1
(OFF/LOCK) or 2 (ACC) position; and
•the driver door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being
transitioned to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) or 2 (ACC) position.
Note:The doors will not autounlock if the vehicle has been
electronically locked before the driver door is opened.
Deactivating/activating autounlock
Your vehicle comes with the autounlock feature activated. There are four
methods to enable/disable this feature:
•Through your authorized dealer, or
•Performing the power door lock control procedure, or
•Performing the keyless entry key pad (if equipped) procedure, or
•Performing the message center (if equipped) procedure.
Before following the activation or deactivation procedures, make sure
that the anti-theft system is not armed, ignition is in the 1 (OFF/LOCK)
position, and all vehicle doors are closed.
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