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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the ªNº
(Neutral) or ªPº (Park) position. Apply the brake before
shifting to any driving range.
Manual Transmission Ð If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in ªNº (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal beforestarting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the
clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
4WD Models Only
To enhance off-road performance, 4-wheel drive models
equipped with a manual transmission will start with or
without pressing the clutch pedal when in 4-wheel drive
low range. The 4 LOW indicator light will illuminate
when the transfer case is in 4-wheel drive low range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start,turn the ignition
switch to the START position and release it when the
engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds,
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to
15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
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NOTE:
²If the vehicle is started in extremely cold temperatures,
the transmission may not shift into Overdrive. It will
however, automatically select the most desirable gear
for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
²If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough, the
ªTransmission Temperature Warning Lightº may illu-
minate, and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After a
cool down, the transmission will resume normal op-
eration.The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear.
NOTE:ªTOW/HAULº mode locks out Overdrive.
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6-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE:The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in ªRº (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the
ON position.
Manual Shift Controls
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CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front wheels
or rear wheels are spinning. The MP1522 Command-Tract
transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and
therefore the speed of the front driveshaft and rear drive-
shaft must be equal for the shift to take place. Shifting
while only the front wheels or rear wheels are spinning can
cause damage to the transfer case.
²The 4WD Lock position and 4WD Low position are in-
tended for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
these positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo-
nents.
²When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD posi-
tion or 4WD LOCK position at a given road speed. Take
care not to over-speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
²Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires
of equal size, type, and circumference on each wheel. Any
difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
²You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
²Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the ªSERV 4WDº light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
²Since 4-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road condi-
tions permit. You or others could be injured.
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N
Neutral - Disengages both the front driveshaft and rear
driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in this section for more information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The 4WD indicator lights are located in the instrument
cluster. The ªNº (Neutral) indicator light is located on the
4WD Control Switch. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is 2-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4WD LOCK, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been ob-
tained.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not met:
²An indicator light will flash.
²The transfer casewill notshift.NOTE:The ªSERV 4WDº warning light monitors the
electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after
engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means
that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift,
move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five (5) seconds, and try the shift again.
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CAUTION!
²The 4WD Low position is intended for loose or
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in this posi-
tion on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to the driveline
components.
²When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the
engine speed is approximately three times that of
the 2WD position or 4WD AUTO position at a
given road speed. Take care not to over-speed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
²Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles de-
pends on tires of equal size, type, and circumfer-
ence on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can
cause damage to the transfer case.
WARNING!
²You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N)
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
²Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the ªSERV 4WDº light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
²Since 4-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit. You or others could be injured.
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Interlocking Ignition Systemº under ªManual Transmis-
sionº or to ªStarting Proceduresº in this section for
details.
N
Neutral - Disengages both the front driveshaft and rear
driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in this section for more information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The 4WD indicator lights are located in the instrument
cluster. The ªNº (Neutral) indicator light is located on the
4WD Control Switch. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is 2-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4WD AUTO, 4WD LOW, or NEUTRAL) has been ob-
tained.If One or More Shift Requirements are not met:
²An indicator light will flash.
²The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:The ªSERV 4WDº warning light monitors the
electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after
engine start up, or it illuminates during driving, it means
that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
Shifting Procedures
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift,
move the 4WD Control Switch back to the original
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Hill Climbing
NOTE:Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the
conditions at the crest and/or on the other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,shift the transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD Low. Use
first gear and 4WD Low for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and
shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing
the compression braking of the engine to help regulate
your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle
speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding
the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back straight
down a hill in R (Reverse) gear carefully. Never back
down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
306 STARTING AND OPERATING