Page 77 of 376

Starting the Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the
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 the 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 the 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, the
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
If you ever need to have the vehicle towed, seeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-23.
Gasoline Engine Warm-Up
When the engine starts, let it run for 20 or 30 seconds
to warm up before putting a load on it.
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, shift to N (Neutral).
Stopping the Gasoline Engine
Let the engine idle for a few seconds before turning it
off after you have finished driving the vehicle.
If you shift to N (Neutral) or P (Park), set the parking
brake.
If the 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.
While the 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.
2-13
Page 92 of 376

Overdrive Defeat
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not to
shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when towing or under
a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat
switch is located in the
instrument panel to
the right of the steering
column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to fourth gear.
This will allow for fewer downshifts while pulling a
trailer or under a heavy load. The indicator light in the
switch comes on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
If the vehicle is equipped with a push button shift
selector, refer to the Allison
®Transmission Operator’s
Manual for shift selector operating instructions.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you are starting to move the vehicle, it is
important to begin with the engine speed at idle. Then
start to engage the clutch and listen for an engine speed
drop of about 100 rpm. At this point, the clutch is
engaging, so you should increase the engine speed and
fully engage the clutch. It is important not to increase
the engine speed sooner or before the clutch begins its
engagement. If you do, you can cause damage to
the vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to N (Neutral) and engage the clutch. When
upshifting, slow the engine until the engine rpm and
road speed match. When downshifting, accelerate the
engine until the engine rpm and road speed match. Then
quickly disengage the clutch and move the shift lever
to the next gear position and engage the clutch.
2-28
Page 96 of 376

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-23for further
information.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is for driving in most
street and highway situations. The transfer case does
not drive the front axle in two-wheel drive. The front-axle
spins if the front wheel hubs are locked. Be sure to
unlock the hubs to achieve the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use Four-Wheel High when you
need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in
most off-road situations. Be sure the front wheel hubs are
locked when you want to drive in Four-Wheel High.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting sends maximum
power to all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel
Low if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud,
and climbing or descending steep hills. Be sure the front
wheel hubs are locked when you want to drive in
Four-Wheel Low.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the
vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be injured. If
you are going to leave the vehicle, set the parking
brake and shift the transmission to P (Park) and
make sure the transfer case is in a drive gear.
Notice:If the vehicle has an Allison
®transmission
and you try to put the transmission in P (Park)
while the transfer case is in Four-Wheel Low, the
transmission might not go into P (Park) and
could damage the vehicle. When parking the vehicle,
make sure the transfer case is in Two-Wheel High
or Four-Wheel High.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle.
2-32
Page 104 of 376

Parking Brake Adjustment (Hand Lever
System Only)
Make sure the parking brake burnish procedure has been
previously followed before continuing with any park brake
adjustment. SeeParking Brake Burnish Procedure on
page 2-43for more information. Parking brake
adjustment may be necessary after the burnish
procedure or at the scheduled maintenance intervals.
If the vehicle is has a hand-lever park brake system, an
in-cab adjustment may be made to the park brake
system. This will adjust the parking brake holding force.
The adjustment is made with the knob located at the
end of the hand lever.
To make an adjustment:
1. Press and hold the regular brake pedal
2. Release the parking brake
3. Turn the knob only up to a half turn to the left, top
of knob toward the driver. This will increase the
holding force of the system.
4. Check to see if the vehicle moves by slowly
removing your foot from the regular brake pedal.
5. If the vehicle moves, press the regular brake and
repeat the adjustment procedure.
2-40
Page 106 of 376

Vehicles built for use as tractors or towing vehicles have
two air brake controls. They look like this:
{CAUTION:
When the yellow PARKING BRAKE and the red
TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are both pushed in,
the rig will be free to move. It could strike
someone or something. When both of these knobs
are pushed in, hold the regular brake pedal down
to keep the rig from moving.To charge a trailer’s air brake system do the following:
1. Move the vehicle into the proper position.
2. Apply the parking brake by pulling the yellow
parking brake knob out.
3. Hook up the trailer air system properly.
4. Get into the vehicle.
5. Push and hold down the regular brake pedal.
6. Push in both the yellow parking brake and the red
trailer air supply knobs. This will charge the trailer’s
air system.
After a few minutes, the trailer system should be fully
charged. When it is, the air pressure gage will show
about 125 to 135 psi (862 to 931 kPa). SeeAir Pressure
Gage on page 3-47for more information.
For driving with a trailer, the yellow and red knobs, if
equipped, must be pushed in. When you are not pulling a
trailer, the red trailer air supply knob must be pulled out.
2-42
Page 107 of 376

{CAUTION:
If you apply any one of the air brake parking
controls while the vehicle is moving, the rig will
stop suddenly. If you are not ready for this, you or
others could be injured. Do not apply any one of
these controls while you are driving, unless you
have to make an emergency stop.
If the air pressure drops below 60 to 70 psi
(413 to 482 kPa), the primary brake warning light and
buzzer will come on. If the air pressure drops to
35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa), the red trailer air supply
knob will automatically pop out and apply the spring
brakes on the trailer.
If the air pressure drops to 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa),
the yellow park brake knob will automatically pop out
and apply the spring brakes on the truck or tractor.
If you ever have a complete loss of air so that the air
brakes automatically apply, there is a way that the
tow operator can release the parking brakes to tow the
vehicle. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-23.
Parking Brake Burnish Procedure
All vehicles which have hydraulic brakes have a parking
brake. It is recommended that the parking brake be
burnished as part of the new vehicle break-in. The
parking brake will work best after it has been burnished
following these instructions:
1. Make sure that there is no other traffic around,
bring the vehicle speed up to 20 mph (32 km/h)
and apply the parking brake. Let the vehicle come
to a complete stop. Apply the base brakes and
disengage the parking brake.
2. Repeat the burnishing procedure in Step 1 a total
of 10 times.
3. Between stops, drive the vehicle about
2.5 miles (4 km).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
damage the transmission and brake system parts.
Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
2-43
Page 115 of 376

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move
it for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside rearview mirrors to see a little of the
side of your vehicle, and the area beside your vehicle.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage when
going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push the
mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return to its original position.
Outside Power Mirrors
If the vehicle has outside power mirrors, they can be
adjusted from the inside of the vehicle.
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door.
Select the mirror you want to move by turning the switch
clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the driver or
passenger side mirror. The center position is neutral.
Then, adjust the mirror by pressing the outer arrows on
the switch until the mirror is in the desired position.
2-51
Page 126 of 376
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or
high to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you, then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers are
controlled by turning the
band with the wiper symbol
on it.
9(Off):Turns off the windshield wipers.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle. Hold it there until
the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop
after one cycle. If more wipes are needed, hold the
band on mist longer.
The wiper speed can be set for long or short delays
between wipes. Turn the band to select the delay time.
The farther the band is turned upward or downward,
the longer or shorter the delay.
3-8