The right-hand control is a rocker-type switch with a
pushbutton in the center and controls the volume and
mode of the sound system. Pressing the top of the rocker
switch will increase the volume and pressing the bottom
of the rocker switch will decrease the volume.
Pressing the center button will make the radio switch
between the various modes available (AM/FM/TAPE/
CD, Etc.).
The left-hand control is a rocker-type switch with a
pushbutton in the center. The function of the left-hand
control is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left-hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the switch will “Seek” up for the next
listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch
will “Seek” down for the next listenable station.The button located in the center of the left-hand control
will tune to the next preset station that you have pro-
grammed in the radio preset pushbutton.
CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track, or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.
If you press the switch up or down twice, it plays the
second track; three times, it will play the third, etc.
The center button on the left side rocker switch has no
function for a single-disc CD player. However, when a
multiple-disc CD player is equipped on the vehicle, the
center button will select the next available CD in the
player.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 269
4
Recirculation
The recirculation feature can be selected with
the mode control knob. You may choose be-
tween Bi-Level Recirculation and Panel Recir-
culation air outlets while in this mode. Nor-
mally, air enters from outside the vehicle. However, when
in “Recirculation” mode air inside the vehicle is re-used.
Use this mode to rapidly cool the inside of the vehicle.
The “Recirculation” mode can also be used to tempo-
rarily block out outside odors, smoke, and dust.
Air Conditioning
To turn on the Air Conditioning, set the fan control
at any speed and press the snowflake button
located on the control panel. Conditioned air will
be directed through the outlets selected by the mode
control. A light in the snowflake button shows that the air
conditioning is on.Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
Automatic Temperature Control — If Equipped
The Infrared Dual-Zone Climate Control System auto-
matically maintains the interior comfort level desired by
the driver and passenger. This is accomplished by a dual
sun-sensor in the top of the instrument panel, and an
infrared sensor located in the face of the control unit.
There are also various sensors monitored by this system
which take account for vehicle speed, A/C pressure,
outside temperature, and engine cooling temperature.
The infrared sensor independently measures the surface
temperature of the driver and passenger. Based on the
sensor input, the system automatically adjusts the air-
flow temperature, the airflow volume, and amount of
outside air recirculation. This maintains a comfortable
temperature even under changing conditions.
274 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Air Conditioning
The air conditioning in this system is automatic.
Pressing this button while in AUTO mode will
cause the LED to flash three times and remain off.
This indicates that the system is in AUTO and requesting
the air conditioning is not necessary.
Recirculation
The system will automatically control recircu-
lation. However, pressing this button will tem-
porarily put the system in “Recirculation”
mode. This can be used when outside condi-
tions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high humidity are
present. This will cause the LED to illuminate.NOTE:
•The surface of the climate control panel, and the top
center of the instrument panel should be kept free of
debris due to the climate control sensor’s location.
Mud on the windshield may also cause poor operation
of this system.
•To provide you with maximum comfort in the auto-
matic mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will
remain off until the engine warms up. However, the
fan will engage immediately if the defrost mode is
selected or if you manually select a blower speed.
•Under certain conditions (after the vehicle is turned
off) the climate control system may recalibrate and a
noise may be heard for 20 seconds. This is part of
normal operation.
276 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant, during summer, to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration is recommended. Refer to Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts in Section 7 for the proper
coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic, in
hot weather, especially when towing a trailer, additional
engine cooling may be required. If this situation is encoun-
tered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to increase
engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When stopped inheavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into NEUTRAL
and depress the accelerator slightly for fast idle operation to
increase coolant flow and fan speed.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months, make
sure the air intake, located directly in front of the wind-
shield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstructions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
284 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
▫HSA (Hill Start Assist) (4WD Models With
NV245 Two–Speed Transfer Case Only)..... 332
▫HDC (Hill Descent Control) (4WD Models
With NV245 Two–Speed
Transfer Case Only)................... 334
▫ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light...................... 336
Tire Safety Information.................. 337
▫Tire Markings....................... 337
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 341
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 342
Tires — General Information.............. 346
▫Tire Pressure........................ 346
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 347▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 348
▫Radial-Ply Tires...................... 349
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped........ 349
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped......... 350
▫Tire Spinning....................... 351
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 352
▫Life Of Tire......................... 352
▫Replacement Tires.................... 353
Tire Chains.......................... 354
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 355
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 356
▫Base System........................ 359
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 361
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
5
Electronic Range Select (ERS)Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to move the shift lever left (-) or right (+) when the
shift lever is in the DRIVE position, allowing you to limit
the highest available gear. For example, if the driver
shifts the transmission into ERS 3 (third gear), the trans-
mission will never shift above third gear, but can shift
down to 2 (second) or 1 (first), when needed.
3.7L Engine
When in the DRIVE position, the first tap to the left (-),
will shift down one gear and will display that gear. For
example, if you are in DRIVE and are in 5th gear, when
you tap the shift lever one time to the left (-), the
transmission will downshift to 4th gear and the display
will show 4. Another tap to the left (-) will shift the
transmission into 3rd gear.4.7L and 5.7L Engine
On vehicles equipped with 4.7L or 5.7L engines, use of
ERS (or TOW/HAUL mode) also enables an additional
underdrive gear which is not normally used during
through-gear accelerations. This additional gear im-
proves vehicle performance and cooling capability when
towing a trailer on certain grades. ERS 1,2, and 3 are
underdrive gears; ERS 4 is direct drive. ERS 5 (Overdrive)
is the same as the normal 4th gear. When in the DRIVE
position in 1st through 4th gear, the first tap to the left (-),
will display the ERS designation for the current gear (the
transmission will not downshift). For example, if you are
in DRIVE and are in 3rd (direct) gear, when you tap the
shift lever one time to the left (-), the display will show 4
(ERS 4 is direct gear). Another tap to the left (-) will shift
the transmission down to ERS 3 (the added underdrive
gear). When in the DRIVE position in 5th gear, the first
tap to the left (-) will downshift the transmission and
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
5
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
During cold temperature operation you may notice de-
layed upshifts, depending on engine and transmission
temperature. This feature improves the warmup time of
the engine and transmission.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough, the “TRANSMISSIONOVER TEMP” message may display, and the transmis-
sion may downshift out of Overdrive until the transmis-
sion cools down. After cool down, the transmission will
resume normal operation.
In high ambient temperatures with sustained high engine
speed and load, an upshift, followed shortly thereafter by
a downshift, may occur. This is a normal part of the
overheat protection strategy when operating in the
TOW/HAUL mode.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive, to the
most desirable gear, if the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph
(56 km/h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode — If Equipped
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in TOW/HAUL mode, the transmission will
shift into direct gear and Overdrive will be enabled
under steady cruise conditions.
The “TOW/HAUL” indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the TOW/HAUL mode is desired,
the switch must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
TOW/HAUL Switch
304 STARTING AND OPERATING