2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed
without using the brakes. Use 2 (Second) on hills.
It can help control vehicle speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you may also want to use
the brakes off and on.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed without
using the brakes. Use it for major/severe downgrades
and off-road driving where the vehicle would otherwise
accelerate due to steepness of grade.
When you shift to 2 (Second) or 1 (First) it provides
the lowest gear appropriate to your current road speed
and continues to downshift as the vehicle slows,
eventually downshifting to the selected gear.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that adjusts
the transmission shifting to the current driving conditions
in order to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to determine, before
making an upshift, if the engine will be able to maintain
vehicle speed by analyzing things such as vehicle speed,throttle position and vehicle load. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current vehicle speed cannot be
maintained, the transmission does not upshift and instead
holds the current gear. In some cases, this may appear to
be a delayed shift, however the transmission is operating
normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift controls that
compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed
ideal shifts stored in the transmission’s computer.
The transmission constantly makes adjustments to
improve vehicle performance according to how the
vehicle is being used, such as with a heavy load or
when the temperature changes. During this adaptive
shift control process, shifting may feel different as the
transmission determines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Hydra-Matic
®
6L80 automatic transmission’s gear shifting may
be delayed providing more stable shifts until the engine
warms up. Shifts may be more noticeable with a cold
transmission. This difference in shifting is normal.
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Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The tow/haul mode
adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift
cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling while towing or
hauling heavy loads.
Press the button located on the instrument panel to the
right of the steering wheel to turn tow/haul on or off. While
tow/haul is on, a light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-44for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-55for more information.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking is only active while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected and you are not in the Range Selection Mode.
See “Tow/Haul Mode listed previously andAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-32for more
information on the Range Selection Mode. Grade Braking
assists in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when
driving on downhill grades by automatically implementing
a shift schedule that utilizes the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. This reduces wear on the braking
system and increases control of the vehicle. Grade
Braking monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, engine
torque and brake pedal usage. Using this information,
it detects when the truck is on a downhill grade and the
driver desires to slow the vehicle by pressing the brake.
Also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55for more
information.
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Cruise Grade Braking
Cruise Grade Braking operates while Cruise Control
is engaged in Tow/Haul mode to assist in maintaining
vehicle speed under loaded vehicle conditions. Cruise
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by automatically implementing
a shift schedule that uses the engine and the
transmission to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is
above the desired speed the transmission will downshift
to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is near or below
desired speed the trans will upshift, allowing vehicle
speed to increase.
While in the Range Select Mode (RSM) mode, cruise
grade braking is not available.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-32.
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
The Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive transfer case 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 the vehicle
powertrain and tires. Do not drive in Four-Wheel
High Lock or Four-Wheel Low Lock on pavement
for extended periods.
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N (Neutral):Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. SeeRecreational Vehicle
Towing on page 4-50orTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-50for more information.
Indicator lights in the dial show which mode you are in.
The indicator lights will come on brie y when you turn on
the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do not come
on, take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for service.
An indicator light will ash while shifting the transfer case.
It will remain on when the shift is complete. If the transfer
case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should
take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for service.
See “Service 4WD message” underDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-46.
Shifting between Four-Wheel High and
Four-Wheel-High Lock
With the vehicle traveling less than 40 mph
(64 km/h), turn the dial to the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock position. The indicator light
on the dial will ash while shifting. It will remain on
when the shift is complete.
It may be necessary to drive backwards for a short
distance of 25 feet (7.5 m) to get the lock feature
to disengage.
Shifting into Four-Wheel-Low Lock
To shift into Four-Wheel-Low Lock, the ignition must be
in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in
N (Neutral). The preferred method for shifting into
Four-Wheel Low Lock is to have the vehicle moving
1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the dial to the
Four-Wheel-Low Lock position. You must wait for the
Four-Wheel-Low Lock indicator light on the dial to stop
ashing and remain lit before shifting the transmission
in gear.
When the transfer case is shifted into the
Four-Wheel-Low Lock position a StabiliTrak
®indicator
light will come on to show that the system has been
turned off and a message will show in the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56
for more information.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the indicator light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the
indicator light stops ashing before putting the
transmission back in gear.
It is normal for the vehicle to have engagement noise
and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Low Lock,
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel-High Lock
ranges or from N (Neutral) with the engine running.
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