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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This is a specialized utility vehicle designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform
tasks for which conventional two-wheel drive enclosed
vehicles were not intended. It handles and maneuvers
differently from many passenger cars both on-road and
off-road, so take time to become familiar with your
vehicle.
The two-wheel drive utility vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving
or use in other severe conditions suited for a four-wheel
drive vehicle.Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner’s
Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls,
particularly those used for braking, steering, transmis-
sion, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills
will improve with experience. When driving off-road or
working the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect
the vehicle to overcome the natural laws of physics.
Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws
wherever you drive.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident. Refer to “On-Road/Off-Road Driving Tips” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 240
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 240
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below 20°F Or 29°C)............... 241
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 241
▫ After Starting ....................... 242
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 242
Automatic Transmission ................. 243
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 243▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 244
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 244
▫ Five–Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 245
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 245
▫ Rocking The Vehicle .................. 252
Four-Wheel Drive Operation ............. 253
▫ Quadra-Trac I Operating Instructions/
Precautions – If Equipped .............. 253
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▫Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Four-Wheel Drive
Models With NV245 Two–Speed Transfer
Case Only ......................... 278
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – Four-Wheel
Drive Models With NV245 Two–Speed
Transfer Case Only ................... 281
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light ...................... 283
Tire Safety Information ................. 284
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 284
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 288
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 289
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 291
Tires — General Information ............. 295
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 295 ▫
Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 296
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 298
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 298
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 298
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 299
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 300
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 301
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 301
Tire Chains .......................... 302
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 303
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 304
▫ Base System ........................ 307
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 309
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▫Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models ....... 338
▫ Towing — Quadra-Trac I (Single-Speed
Transfer Case) Four-Wheel Drive Models . . . 339 ▫
Towing — Quadra–Trac II /Quadra–Drive
II Four-Wheel Drive Models ............. 339
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gear). When in the DRIVE position in fifth gear, the first
tap to the left (-) will downshift the transmission and
display 5 (ERS 5 is the same as normal fourth gear).
Another tap to the left (-) will shift the transmission
down to ERS 4 (direct gear).
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12345*D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-5
* Applies to vehicles equipped with 5.7L engines only.
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), move the shift lever to the left “D(-)” and hold it there. The transmission will shift to
the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed
down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth gear for 3.7L engine, fourth
and fifth gears for 5.7L engine). The transmission will
automatically shift to Overdrive, if the following condi-
tions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated;
248 STARTING AND OPERATING
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CAUTION!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between
“First” and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h) or drivetrain damage may
result.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Quadra-Trac IOperating Instructions/
Precautions – If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac I is a single-speed (HI range only)
transfer case, which provides convenient full-time four–
wheel drive. No driver interaction is required. The Brake
Traction Control (BTC) System, which combines standard
ABS and Traction Control, provides resistance to any
wheel that is slipping to allow additional torque transfer
to wheels with traction. NOTE:
The Quadra-Trac I system is not appropriate
for conditions where 4WD LOW range is recommended.
Refer to “Off-Road Driving Tips” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information.
Quadra-Trac II Operating Instructions/
Precautions – If Equipped
The Quadra-Trac II transfer case is fully automatic in the
normal driving 4WD HI mode. The Quadra-Trac II
transfer case provides three mode positions:
•4WD HI
•NEUTRAL
•4WD LOW
This transfer case is fully automatic in the 4WD HI mode.
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When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOW
position can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts
together and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed. The 4WD LOW position is intended for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOW position on dry, hard-surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 4WD HI
position at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed
the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type, and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
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Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
4WD HI
This range is used on surfaces such as ice, snow, gravel,
sand, and dry hard pavement.
NEUTRAL
This range disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. It is to be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing”
in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
4WD LOW
This range is for low speed four-wheel drive. It locks the
front and rear driveshafts together and forces the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. It provides
additional traction and maximum pulling power for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Shifting Procedures
4WD HI to 4WD LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position or the engine running,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and raise the
transfer case T-handle. The “4WD LOW” indicator light
in the instrument cluster will begin to flash and remain
on solid when the shift is complete. Release the T-handle.
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