RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles:
Tow your Front Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground
or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are
using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment
provider.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles:
Tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or
with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer.Do
not tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the
ground.This will cause damage to your AWD system. If you are using a
vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the
equipment provider.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in (N) Neutral.
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and at each fuel stop.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal. This
position also shuts the engine and
all electrical accessories off.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. On— all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. Start— cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
To avoid potential transmission damage at extremely cold temperatures
(below -20°F [-30°C]), it is recommended that the vehicle be warmed up
to normal operating temperature before driving at highway speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h). Normal operating temperature is normally reached
after 10 minutes of moderate driving or idling.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
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WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure vehicle accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
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•Make sure the gearshift lever is in
P (Park).
3. Turn the key to 3 (on) without
turning the key to 4 (start).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
Note: This is for vehicles not equipped with the passive start feature.
1. Turn the key to 3 (on) without
turning the key to 4 (start).
2. Turn the key to 4 (start), then
release the key as soon as the
engine begins cranking. Your vehicle
has a computer assisted cranking
system that assists in starting the
engine. After releasing the key from
the 4 (start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to
10 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
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3. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake, shift into gear and
drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the key to the off
position, wait 10 seconds and try step 2 again. If the engine still fails to
start, press the accelerator to the floor and try step 2 again, keeping the
accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Push button start system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the
push button start system, you can
start your vehicle by pressing the
start button in combination with the
brake pedal rather than using a key.
The start button is located on the
instrument panel to right of the
steering wheel.
In order to operate the Push Button
Start system and start your vehicle,
your Intelligent Access Key (IA
Key) must be present inside the vehicle, either in the passenger
compartment or in the trunk.
1. To put the vehicle in Accessory mode, press and release the start/stop
button without applying the brake pedal. This allows electrical
accessories such as the radio to operate while the engine is not running.
“Accessory Power Active” and “Press Brake to Start” will be displayed in
the message center. Refer toMessage centerin theDriver Controls
chapter for more information.
2. To put the vehicle in on mode, press and hold the start/stop button for
at least one second without applying the brake pedal. This will power
your vehicle’s electrical system and the warning lights in the instrument
cluster will illuminate, but the engine will remain off.
Note:You cannot immediately start your vehicle from the on mode. If
you would like to start the vehicle and you are in on mode, you must
first switch the vehicle off by pressing the start/stop button.
3. To start your vehicle’s engine, press the start/stop button (for any
length of time) while applying the brake pedal.
4. To switch off your vehicle when it is in accessory or on modes or
when the engine is running, press and release the start/stop button.
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Note:When the vehicle is in motion, a single press and release of the
start/stop button will not switch off the engine. In order to switch off the
engine of a vehicle while in motion, press and hold the start/stop button
for at least one second.
Note:The indicator light on the start button will illuminate when the
vehicle is in on mode and when the engine is started.
There may be areas inside your vehicle where the IA Key is not
detected. If the messageNo Fob Detectedappears on your message
center when you press the start/stop button, it may be necessary to
move your IA Key to another area within the vehicle. The IA Key may
not be detected near the roof (between the driver or passenger sunvisor
and the roof, or in the overhead console area) or in the extreme corners
of the rear package tray, near your audio speakers. It is not
recommended that you stow the IA Key in these locations. If you move
the IA Key to a location where it has been detected before and you still
see theNo Fob Detectedmessage, your IA Key’s battery may be low or
you may be in an area with excessive radio frequency interference. If
this occurs, you can use the backup method to start your vehicle (see
below).
Backup Method of Starting:Your
Intelligent Access Key uses a radio
frequency signal to communicate
with your vehicle and authorize your
vehicle to start when you press the
start/stop button and apply the
brake pedal. If excessive radio
frequency interference is present in
the area, or if the battery in your IA
Key is low, it may be necessary to
start your car by inserting the IA
Key in the backup slot, located in
your glove box. Insert the IA Key
into the slot with buttons facing out
and with key ring up. After inserting
the IA Key into the backup slot, use
the start/stop button and brake
pedal to start your vehicle as usual.
The vehicle should respond normally
as long as the IA Key is in the
backup slot in the glove box. Once the vehicle is started, the IA key can
be removed from the backup slot, if desired.
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Fast Restart Feature:The Fast Restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 20 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid
Intelligent Access Key is not present. When you switch your vehicle off
without a IA Key in the passenger compartment or trunk, the message
Restart Now or Fob Is Neededwill be displayed on the message center.
You can re-start the vehicle (by applying the brake pedal and pressing
the start/stop button) for up to 20 seconds, even though the IA Key is
not present. After 20 seconds have expired, you can no longer start your
vehicle without the IA Key present inside the vehicle.
Switching the Vehicle Off when not in Park:It is recommended that
you shift into the Park position before switching your vehicle off. If you
switch your vehicle off with the shifter in any position other than Park,
the messageShift to Parkwill be displayed in the message center. If
the vehicle is left in this state, your key in ignition chime will activate
when the driver door is opened, and you may drain your vehicle’s
battery. In order to avoid draining your battery, it is recommended that
you always shift to park before or immediately after switching your
vehicle off.
Absence of the Intelligent Access Key:Once the vehicle has started,
the vehicle will remain running until being commanded off by the
start/stop switch, even if the Intelligent Access Key is no longer found in
the vehicle. Whenever a door is opened and then closed while the
vehicle is running, the system will search for a IA Key inside the vehicle
and the message center will displayNo Fob Detectedif the IA Key is
no longer present. This message is intended as a reminder that someone
else in the vehicle may have taken the IA Key when exiting the vehicle.
If the IA Key is no longer present in the vehicle, you will not be able to
re-start your vehicle outside of theFast Restarttime (seeFast Restart
Featureabove). It is important to be aware of where your IA Key is
located in the vehicle, to avoid becoming stranded without a IA Key.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt a/c electrical
source. The block heater system is most effective when outdoor
temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged
(cheater) adapters.
Prior to using the engine block heater, follow these recommendations for
proper and safe operation:
•For your safety, use an outdoor extension cord that is product
certified by Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or Canadian Standards
Association (CSA). Use only an extension cord that can be used
outdoors, in cold temperatures, and is clearly markedSuitable for Use
with Outdoor Appliances.Never use an indoor extension cord
outdoors; it could result in an electric shock or fire hazard.
•Use a 16 gauge outdoor extension cord, minimum.
•Use as short an extension cord as possible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords. Instead, use one extension cord
which is long enough to reach from the engine block heater cord to
the outlet without stretching.
•Make certain that the extension cord is in excellent condition (not
patched or spliced). Store your extension cord indoors at
temperatures above 32°F (0°C). Outdoor conditions can deteriorate
extension cords over a period of time.
•To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two pronged (cheater) adapters.
Also ensure that the block heater, especially the cord, is in good
condition before use.
•Make sure that when in operation, the extension cord plug /engine
block heater cord plug connection is free and clear of water in order
to prevent possible shock or fire.
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