Page 76 of 460

Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 117 of 460

TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN
This feature allows you to tilt the steering column
upward or downward. It also allows you to lengthen or
shorten the steering column. The tilt/telescoping control
handle is located below the steering wheel at the end of
the steering column.To unlock the steering column, push the control handle
downward (toward the floor). To tilt the steering column,
move the steering wheel upward or downward as de-
sired. To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull
the steering wheel outward or push it inward as desired.
To lock the steering column in position, push the control
handle upward until fully engaged.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
telescoping adjustment must be locked while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driving or
driving without the telescoping adjustment locked
could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS — IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals
to move toward or away from the driver to provide
Tilt/Telescoping Control Handle
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 117
Page 118 of 460

improved position with the steering wheel. The adjust-
able pedal system is designed to allow a greater range of
driver comfort for steering wheel tilt and seat position.
The position of the brake and accelerator pedals can be
adjusted without compromising safety or comfort in
actuating the pedals.Press the bottom of the switch to move the pedals
forward (away from the driver).
Press the top of the switch to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
•The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
•The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
•The pedals
cannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R) or when the Electronic Speed Control is
on. A message will be displayed in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) if the pedals are
attempted to be adjusted when the system is locked
out (“Adjustable Pedal Disabled — Cruise Control
Set” or “Adjustable Pedal Disabled — Shifter In Re-
verse”). Refer to Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) in Section 4 for more information.
Adjustable Pedal Switch
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 119 of 460
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedal’s
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal’s path.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the pedals while the vehicle is moving.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
adjust the pedals while the vehicle is parked.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, Electronic Speed Control takes over
accelerator operations at speeds greater than 25 mph
(40 km/h).The Electronic Speed Control lever is located on the right
side of the steering wheel.
Electronic Speed Control Lever
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
Page 171 of 460
•Vehicle Information Warning Message Displays
•Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
•Compass Display
•Outside Temperature Display
•Trip Computer Functions
The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons mounted on the steering
wheel:
MENU Button Press and release the MENU button and the
mode displayed will change between Trip
Functions, Personal Settings, and System Sta-
tus. FUNCTION SELECT Button
Press the FUNCTION SELECT button to select
the displayed function YES (Y) or NO (N).
SCROLL Button Press the SCROLL button to scroll through Trip
Functions, Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features), and System Status
Messages.
COMPASS/TEMPERATURE Button Press and release the COMPASS/
TEMPERATURE button to display one of eight
compass readings and the outside temperature.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
Page 220 of 460
The LCD screen is located on the headliner behind the
front seats.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.
Lowering the Display Screen
Remote Control Location
220 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 221 of 460

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.
Remote Sound System Controls (Back View Of Steering
Wheel)
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221
Page 264 of 460

If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain forward motion
by turning the front wheels slowly. This may provide a
fresh “bite” into the surface and will usually provide
traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear, and the transfer
case into 4WD LOW range. Let the vehicle go slowly
down the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it isalways a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check the tires, body structure, steering, suspension,
and exhaust system for damage.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
•Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING