Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Liftgate (SUV)..............................................2-13
Midgate
®(SUT) ............................................2-14
Tailgate/Spare Tire Carrier.............................2-16
Windows........................................................2-19
Power Windows............................................2-20
Sun Visors...................................................2-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-23
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-24
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............2-25
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-26Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-27
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-27
Ignition Positions..........................................2-28
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-29
Starting the Engine.......................................2-29
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-31
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-32
Tow/Haul Mode............................................2-36
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive............................2-37
Parking Brake..............................................2-42
Shifting Into Park..........................................2-43
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-44
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-45
Engine Exhaust............................................2-45
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-46
Mirrors...........................................................2-47
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-47
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors.....................2-47
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-48
Park Tilt Mirrors............................................2-48
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-49
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-49
Object Detection Systems...............................2-50
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)............................2-50
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has
four different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
must be applied.A (LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. The key can be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch
to LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in
the ignition could cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is
all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your
dealer/retailer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while
the engine is off. Use this position if the vehicle must
be pushed or towed.
2-28
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
The transmission is also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/
RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be
drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Sunroof
Power Windows
The sunroof and power windows will continue to work
up to 10 minutes after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF
or until any door is opened. The radio will continue
to work for up to 10 minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF or until the driver door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
The engine will not start in any other position.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
2-29
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.
2-30
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.
2-32
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-39.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next gear
and has more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving.
You may want to shift the transmission to a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss of
Control on page 4-13.
M (Manual Mode):This position lets the driver select
the range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. If the vehicle has this feature, see Driver
Shift Control (DSC) later in this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-33
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.
2-34
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The vehicle has Driver Shift Control (DSC). DSC
controls the transmission and vehicle speed while driving
down hill or towing a trailer by allowing you to select
a desired range of gears.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
This will force a downshift from the current gear,
for gears 3 through 6.
2. Press the (+) plus or (−) minus button on the left
side of the steering wheel, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving conditions.When in the M (Manual Mode) a number will display
next to the M, indicating the maximum available gear.
The DIC display will show the message MANUAL SHIFT
on the rst line and the maximum available gear will be
displayed on the second line. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-46andDIC Operation and
Displays (Using DIC Buttons) on page 3-47orDIC
Operation and Displays (Using Trip Odometer Reset
Stem) on page 3-52for more information. The number
displayed in the DIC is the highest gear available.
The transmission will be limited to the gear selected and
lower gears. Shifting will occur normally while driving,
however the cluster will continue to display the maximum
available gear. Higher gears will not be available unless
the selection is changed to include higher gears using
the (+) plus button.
Grade Braking is not available when the Driver Shift
Control is active. SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-36and
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55for more information.
While using the DSC, cruise control and the tow/haul
mode can be used.
2-35