Page 361 of 521

•The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
Carbon Monoxide Warnings
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is deadly.
Follow the precautions below to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning.
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with the engine running for
more than a short period, adjust the ventilation system
to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Keep the liftgate closed when driving your vehicle to
prevent carbon monoxide and other poisonous ex-
haust gases from entering the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 359
5
Page 362 of 521

FUEL REQUIREMENTS (DIESEL ENGINES)
NOTE: Federal law requires that you must fuel this
vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (15
ppm Sulfur maximum) and prohibits the use of Low
Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maxi-
mum) to avoid damage to the emissions control system.Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel, meeting
ASTM specification D-975 Grade S15, will provide good
performance. If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold
(below 20° F or -7° C), or is required to operate at
colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged periods,
use climatized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel
fuel with 50% No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better
protection from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel
filters.
This vehicle is fully-compatible with biodiesel blends
up to 5% biodiesel, meeting ASTM specification D-975.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel-blending
agent. They can be unstable under certain conditions
and hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel
fuel.
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Label
360 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 363 of 521

Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent
fuel system trouble, drain the accumulated water from
the fuel/water separator using the provided fuel/water
separator drain. If you buy good quality fuel and follow
the cold weather advice above, fuel conditioners should
not be required in your vehicle. If available in your area,
a high cetane “premium” diesel fuel may offer improved
cold-starting and warm-up performance.
FLEXIBLE FUEL (4.7L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED
E-85 General Information
The information in this section is for Flexible Fuel ve-
hicles only. These vehicles can be identified by a unique,
yellow fuel filler cap (gas cap) that statesEthanol (E-85)/
Unleaded Gasoline,and by theFLEXFUELbadge that
will be located on the body of your vehicle. This section
only covers those subjects that are unique to these
vehicles. Please refer to the other sections of this manualfor information on features that are common between
Flexible Fuel and gasoline-only powered vehicles.
E-85 Fuel Cap
STARTING AND OPERATING 361
5
Page 364 of 521
CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler cap (gas cap)
can operate on E-85.
ETHANOL FUEL (E-85)
E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel ethanol and
15% unleaded gasoline.
WARNING!
Ethanol vapors are extremely flammable and could
cause serious personal injury. Never have any smok-
ing materials lit in or near the vehicle when remov-
ing the fuel filler tube cap (gas cap) or filling the
tank. Do not use E-85 as a cleaning agent and never
use it near an open flame.
Fuel Requirements
If your vehicle is E-85 compatible, it will operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87, or E-85
fuel, or any mixture of these two fuels.
E-85 Badge
362 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 365 of 521

For best results, a refueling pattern that avoids alternat-
ing between E-85 and unleaded gasoline is recom-
mended.
When you do switch fuel types it is recommended that:
•you do not add less than 5 gal (19 L) when refueling
•you drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at
least 5 mi (8 km)
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in drivability
during warm up.
NOTE:Use seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel (ASTM
D5798). With non-seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel, you may
experience hard starting and rough idle following start
up even if the above recommendations are followed,
especially when the ambient temperature is below 32°F
(0°C).
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
Whether operating the vehicle on an E-85 ethanol fuel or
unleaded gasoline, the engine oil requirements are the
same. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of
this manual for the proper quality and viscosity engine
oil.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C). In the
range of 0° to 32°F (-18° to 0°C), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start, and
a deterioration in drivability (sags and/or hesitations)
until the engine is fully warmed up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon/liter
than gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5
Page 366 of 521

consumption. You can expect your MPG and your driv-
ing range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
Replacement Parts
All components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
•Replacing fuel system components with non-
ethanol compatible components can damage your
vehicle.
•Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in
your vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold start-
ing and may affect drivability.
ADDING FUEL
CAUTION!
DO NOT put gasoline in your diesel vehicle (if
equipped). If you accidentally put gasoline in your
vehicle, DO NOT start the engine. This will cause
damage to the fuel system. Have the fuel system
flushed.
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is located behind the fuel filler door, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or
damaged, be sure the replacement cap is for use with this
vehicle.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 367 of 521
CAUTION!
•Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let impu-
rities into the fuel system. Also, a poorly fitting
aftermarket cap can cause the Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL) to illuminate, due to fuel vapors
escaping from the system.
•A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light to turn on.
•To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.Fuel Filler Cap
STARTING AND OPERATING 365
5
Page 368 of 521

WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regula-
tions and will cause the malfunction indicator
light to turn on.
NOTE:Tighten the gas cap about one-quarter turn until
you hear one click. This is an indication that the cap is
properly tightened.
If the gas cap is not tighten properly, the Malfunction
Indicator Light will come on. Be sure the gas cap is
tightened every time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center” in Section 4 of
this manual. Tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking”
sound is heard. This is an indication that the fuel filler
cap is properly tightened. Refer to “Onboard Diagnostic
System — OBDII” in Section 7 of this manual for more
information.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING