Midgate®(SUT)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area
covered and the tailgate and the Midgate®open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the cargo covers on and
the tailgate and Midgate
®open or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the
Midgate
®:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed on the setting
that brings in outside air. This will force
outside air into your vehicle. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-22.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-43.The Midgate
®allows you to extend the length of your
vehicle’s cargo area into the cab.
Lowering the Midgate
The Midgate window must be completely lowered for
the Midgate®to be lowered. See “Midgate®Window”
underPower Windows on page 2-20.
Both the Midgate and the Midgate window can be
lowered while the ignition is in either ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or while in Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) mode. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-29for more information.
To lower the Midgate, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats forward. SeeSplit Folding Rear
Seat on page 1-8. The front seats may have to be
moved forward slightly.
2.
K(Midgate Window):Press the bottom part
of this switch to lower the Midgate window.
SeeInstrument Panel Overview on page 3-4for
the location of this switch. The window can also be
operated using the global express-down button.
See “Global Glass Feature” underPower Windows
on page 2-20.
2-14
Global Window Feature
The global window up and
express-down button is
located on the instrument
panel.
This feature allows all side windows and Midgate
®
window, if equipped, to be opened or closed at the
same time.
ª(Window Express-Down):Press the express-down
button to lower all side windows and Midgate window,
if equipped, without stopping. Express-down will operate
while the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY,
or while Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-29.
Pressing the global express-down button also activates
the power Midgate latch release buttons, if equipped. See
“Lowering the Midgate” underMidgate
®on page 2-14.
The express-down feature can also be operated through
the Remote Keyless Access (RKE) transmitter. Press and
hold the unlock button on the transmitter until the
windows start to lower. SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
y(Window Up):Press and hold the up button to
raise the four side windows and, if equipped, the Midgate
window. The up button operates while the ignition is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or while RAP is active.
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Midgate Window
K(Midgate Window):On vehicles with a Midgate,
the switch to operate the window is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
SeeInstrument Panel Overview on page 3-4.
ª:Press to express-down the window.
y:Press to express-up the window.
Press the top or bottom of the switch a second time to
stop the window
The window switch will operate while the ignition is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or while Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-29.
The window can also be operated using the global
window buttons. See “Global Window Feature”
previously.
{CAUTION:
If express override is activated, the midgate
window will not reverse automatically. You or
others could be injured and the window could
be damaged. Before you use express override,
make sure that all people and obstructions are
clear of the midgate window path.
Midgate Window Express Override Mode
If an obstruction or weather condition such as severe
icing stops the window as it is moving upward, the
window will automatically reverse to a partially open
position. The window will return to normal operation
once the obstruction or condition is removed.
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Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
With this system, the
security light in the
instrument panel cluster
will ash as you open
the door if your ignition
is off.
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system.To activate the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. The security light will illuminate to
inform the driver the system is arming. If a door is
open when the doors are locked, the security
light will ash.
3. Close all doors. The security light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.
If the delayed locking feature is turned on, the
theft-deterrent system will not start the arming
process until the last door is closed and the delay
timer has expired. SeeDelayed Locking on
page 2-11.
If a locked door is opened without the RKE transmitter,
the alarm will go off. The headlamps and parking
lamps will ash and the horn will sound for 30 seconds,
then will turn off to save the battery power.
2-24
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if
you lock the doors with the vehicle’s key or use the
manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power
door lock switch with the door open, or with the
RKE transmitter. You should also remember that you
can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the
alarm has been set off.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door keyafterthe doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off the
alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, press unlock on the
RKE transmitter or place the key in the ignition and
turn it to START to turn it off. The alarm will not stop
if you try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window
and open the driver’s door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the RKE transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the security light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the
door with the manual door lock and open the
door. This should set off the alarm.
While the alarm is set, the power door unlock switch is
not operational.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
headlamps ash, check to see if the horn works.
The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse,
seeInstrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-111and
Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-113.
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
ash, the vehicle should be serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
2-25
PASS-Key®III+
The PASS-Key®III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key
®III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key
is removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY or START
from the LOCK/OFF position.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on when trying to
start the vehicle, there may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
2-26
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has a Hydra-Matic®6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle
has a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the
effort to shift out of PARK (P). See Torque Lock
(Automatic Transmission) underShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-41for more information.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-41. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
2-32
Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle is equipped
with a tow/haul mode.
The button is located on
the instrument panel
to the right of the
steering wheel.
You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55for more information.
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
The transfer case on your Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
vehicle is designed to constantly send the engine’s
driving power to all four wheels for extra traction.
To get the most out of Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive,
you must be familiar with its operation.
Notice:Driving on pavement in Four-Wheel
High Lock or Four Wheel Low Lock for extended
periods may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s
powertrain and tires. Do not drive in Four-Wheel
High Lock or Four-Wheel Low Lock on pavement for
extended periods.
Transfer Case Dial
The transfer case dial is
located to the right of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use this switch to shift into
and out of the different
Full-Time Four-Wheel
Drive modes.
The transfer case is a part of the Full-Time Four-Wheel
Drive system and allows the following four different
modes of operation:
4
m(Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive):This setting is used
for driving in most street and highway situations.
It can be used for light or variable off-road conditions.
4
mQ(Four-Wheel-High Lock):Use this mode when
you need extra traction in most off-road situations
such as sand, mud, snow, or level, rocky trails.
4
nQ(Four-Wheel-Low Lock):This mode delivers
extra torque to all four wheels and is used for extreme
off-road conditions. Choose Four-Wheel-Low Lock while
driving off-road in deep sand, mud, or snow and climbing
or descending steep hills.
2-36