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Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
1. Place the shift lever in the PARK position.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC position.
3. Push the ignition key inward.4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position, and
remove the key.
WARNING!
Leaving unattended children in a vehicle is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal, or the shift lever. Do
not leave the key in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition, and lock
all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.Ignition Key Positions
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•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times — babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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7. Seat Belt Indicator LightA warning chime and an indicator light will alert
you to buckle the seat belts. When the belt is
buckled, the chime will stop, but the light will stay
on until it times out (about six seconds).
8. Turn Signal Indicator Lights The arrows will flash with the exterior turn signals
when the turn signal lever is operated. A tone will
chime if the turn signals are left on for more than 1 mi (2
km).
9. Oil Pressure Warning Light Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on, have the system checked by your autho-
rized dealer. If the warning light comes on and remains on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO
NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS
CORRECTED. Also, a single chime will sound.
10. High Beam Indicator Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the multifunction control lever away
from you to switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the
lever towards you to switch the headlights back to low
beam. If the driver’s door is open, and the headlights or
park lights are left on, the High Beam Indicator Light will
remain illuminated and a chime will sound.
11. Brake Warning Light After the ignition is turned on, this light illumi-
nates to indicate function check at vehicle start-
up. It also indicates if the parking brake is
applied. If the light stays on when the parking brake is
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off, it indicates a possible brake system fluid leak or low
pressure level,see your authorized dealer immediately.
If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is in
motion, the Brake Warning Light will “flash” and a chime
will sound.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
12. Anti-Lock (ABS) Warning Light After the ignition is turned on, this light illumi-
nates to indicate function check at vehicle start-up.
If the light remains on after start-up or comes on and
stays on at road speeds, it may indicate that the ABS has detected a malfunction or has become inoperative. The
system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Warning
Light are on, see your authorized dealer immediately.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual.
13. Airbag Warning Light
This indicator lights and remains lit for six to
eight seconds when the ignition is first turned
on. If the light does not come on for six to eight
seconds, stays on or comes on while driving,
have the airbag system checked by an authorized dealer.
14. Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped This light indicates when the rear axle lock has
been activated.
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Four–Wheel Drive Operation (Command-Trac™
Or Rock-Trac™) — If Equipped .............285
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions .........285
▫ Shift Positions ........................287
▫ Shifting Procedure ....................288
Trac-Lok™ Rear Axle — If Equipped .........289
Axle Lock (Tru–Lok™) — Rubicon Models .....290
Rear Axle Lock — 4WD Non-Rubicon Models
(If Equipped) ..........................291
Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect — If Equipped . . 292
On-Road Driving Tips ...................294
Off-Road Driving Tips ...................294
▫ Side Step Removal — If Equipped .........294
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving ...........296▫
When To Use 4L (Low) Range ............297
▫ Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation . . 297
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........297
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) .............................299
▫ Hill Climbing ........................301
▫ Driving Through Water .................304
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................307
Parking Brake .........................308
Anti-Lock Brake System ..................309
Power Steering ........................311
Tire Safety Information ...................313
▫ Tire Markings ........................313
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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 buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and depress the clutch pedal before starting ve-
hicle. 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
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless of whether
or not the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. This feature
enhances off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to
start when in 4L without having to depress the clutch
pedal. The 4WD Indicator Light will illuminate when the
transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord. The engine block
heater cord is found under the hood bundled in front of
the battery tray.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.
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.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
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Shift Lock Manual Override
Your vehicle may be equipped with a shift lock manual
override. The manual override may be used in the event
that the shift lever should fail to move from PARK with
the key in the ON position and the brake pedal de-
pressed. To operate the shift lock manual override, per-
form the following steps:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully remove the
shift lock manual override cover which is located on the
PRNDL bezel, above the PARK position.
3. Depress and maintain firm pressure on the brake
pedal.
4. Using the screwdriver, reach into the manual override
opening. Press and hold the shift lock lever down.5. Depress the shifter release button and shift into NEU-
TRAL.
6. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer, if the shift lock manual override has been used.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING