Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition to START. When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will slow down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also prevents cranking if the
engine is already running. Engine cranking can
be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to
the oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts,
let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts
brie y but then stops again, repeat these steps.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
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.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
The 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.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the 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 P (Park). See Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission) underShifting Into Park on page 2-43
for more information.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-43. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
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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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