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the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
bulb repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake Warning light and the ABS light remain
on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) systems are not functioning. Immediate repair to
the ABS is required.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self-check cycle to ensure that the ABS
working properly. This self-check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You may also experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-Lock mode:
•the ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop)
•the clicking sound of solenoid valves
•brake pedal pulsations
•a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end
of the stop
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
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WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or rollovers, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped
This system maintains vehicle speed while descending
hills during off-road driving situations. HDC will auto-
matically apply the brakes to control downhill speed to
between 4 mph (7 km/h) and 6 mph (9 km/h) depending
on terrain. The system is activated by placing the vehiclein “Off-Road” mode and placing the shift lever in LOW
or REVERSE. Refer to “Safe Off-Road Driving” under
“Starting and Operating” in Section 5.
When HDC is properly enabled, the Hill De-
cent Control light in the instrument cluster will
be illuminated.
HDC has the capability to sense terrain and will only
activate when the vehicle is descending a hill. It will not
activate on level ground. If desired, HDC can be fully
deactivated by putting the vehicle into ESP “Full Off”
mode. This is done by pressing and holding the ESP OFF
button for five seconds. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)” in this section of the manual.
HDC operation can be overridden with brake application
to slow the vehicle down below the HDC control speed.
Conversely, if more speed is desired during HDC control,
the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed like
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normal. When either the brake or the accelerator is
released, HDC will control the vehicle back to the origi-
nal set speed.
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving. At
vehicle speeds above 31 mph (50 km/h) HDC will no
longer function. If the HDC indicator light begins to flash
this indicates that the brakes are getting too hot and the
vehicle should be stopped to allow the brakes to cool.
WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in control-
ling vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver
must remain attentive to the driving conditions and
is responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over-steering or under-steering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over-steering or under-steering condi-
tion. Engine power may also be reduced to help the
vehicle maintain the desired path. ESP uses sensors in the
vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the
driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle.
When the actual path does not match the intended path,
ESP applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over-steer or under-steer condition
•Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
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ESP Indicator Light
The “ESP Indicator Light” located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. If the “ESP Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
•Electronic Stability Program (ESP) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESP-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
ESP Operating Modes
The ESP system has three available operating modes for
4WD equipped vehicles and two available operating
modes for 2WD equipped vehicles.
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In this mode, ESP is turned off until the vehicle reaches a
speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). At 35 mph (56 km/h) the
system returns to “Partial Off” mode, as described above.
When the vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48 km/h)
the ESP system shuts off. ESP is deactivated at low
vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road
driving however, ESP function returns to provide the
stability feature at speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h). The
“ESP Indicator Light” will always be illuminated when
ESP is off.
To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF
switch. This will restore the “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE:The “ESP OFF” message will display and an
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed
into the PARK position from any other position, and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared.WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESP Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use,
only.
ESP/BAS Warning Light and ESP Indicator Light
The malfunction indicator for the ESP is combined with
the BAS indicator. The yellow “ESP/BAS Warning Light”
and the yellow “ESP Indicator Light” in the instrument
cluster both come on when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. They should both go out with the
engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning Light” comes
on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either the ESP or BAS system, or
both. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles,
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and the vehicle has been driven several miles/kilometers
at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your
authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The “ESP Indicator Light” and the “ESP/BAS Warning
Light” come onmomentarilyeach time the ignition
switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades 300 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident resulting
in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly forwear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed. (Refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
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tires. The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle
is driven - this is normal and there should be no
adjustment for this increased pressure.
•The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure
if the tire pressure falls below the low-pressure warn-
ing limit for any reason, including low temperature
effects, or natural pressure loss through the tire.
•The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the
recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire
pressure warning (Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light) illuminates, you must increase the tire pressure
to the recommended cold placard pressure in order for
the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light to turn off.
The system will automatically update and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off once
the system receives the updated tire pressures. Thevehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes
above 15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to
receive this information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recom-
mended cold (parked for more than three hours)
placard pressure of 30 psi (207 kPa). If the ambient
temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the measured tire
pressure is 27 psi (186 kPa), a temperature drop to 20°F
(-7°C) will decrease the tire pressure to approximately
26 psi (179 kPa). This tire pressure is sufficiently low
enough to turn ON the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light. Driving the vehicle may cause the tire
pressure to rise to approximately 27 psi (186 kPa), but
the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will still be
ON. In this situation, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light will turn OFF only after the tires are
inflated to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard
pressure value.
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