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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 299
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 299
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 300
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 300
▫ After Starting ....................... 301
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 301
Automatic Transmission ................. 302
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 303▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 303
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 303
▫ Four–Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 305
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 305
Four-Wheel Drive Operation ............. 309
▫ MP1522 Command-Trac Transfer Case —
If Equipped ........................ 309
▫ MP3022 Selec-Trac II Transfer Case —
If Equipped ........................ 315
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Adding Fuel ......................... 378
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 378
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 379
Vehicle Loading ...................... 380
▫ Certification Label ................... 380
Trailer Towing ........................ 382
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 382
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 387 ▫
Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 388
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 390
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 391
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 396
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 397
▫ Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models ....... 397
▫ Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models ...... 397
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If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation. If the problem persists,
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. Only second gear range will operate in the DRIVE
position. Have the transmission checked at your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
MP1522 Command-TracTransfer Case — If
Equipped
Operating Information and Precautions
The Command-Trac transfer case provides four positions:
•Two–wheel drive (2WD) high range
•Four-wheel drive (4WD LOCK) high range
•Four-wheel drive (4WD LOW) low range
•Neutral (N)
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the two-
wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and high-
way conditions such as dry hard-surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, select the transfer
case 4WD LOCK position or 4WD LOW position. This
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position locks the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft
together and forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed.
Use the transfer case NEUTRAL position for recreational
towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this
section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of
NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front
wheels or rear wheels are spinning. The MP1522
Command-Tractransfer case is not equipped
with a synchronizer and therefore the speed of the
front driveshaft and rear driveshaft must be equal
for the shift to take place. Shifting while only the
front wheels or rear wheels are spinning can cause
damage to the transfer case.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•The 4WD LOCK position and 4WD LOW position
are intended for loose or slippery road surfaces
only. Driving in these positions on dry hard-
surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
•When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the
engine speed is approximately three times that of
the 2WD position or 4WD LOCK position at a
given road speed. Take care not to over-speed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
•Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles de-
pends on tires of equal size, type, and circumfer-
ence on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can
cause damage to the transfer case.
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WARNING!
•You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL
position disengages both the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft from the powertrain and it will
allow the vehicle to move even if the transmission
is in PARK. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
•Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the “SERV 4WD Warning
Light” is illuminated. Not engaging the parking
brake may allow the vehicle to roll, which may
cause personal injury.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Since four-wheel drive provides improved trac-
tion, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and
stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road con-
ditions permit. You or others could be injured.
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Shift Positions
The transfer case switch is located on the center console
next to the shift lever.2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - This range is used for
normal street and highway driving on dry hard-surfaced
roads.
4WD Lock
Four-Wheel Drive High Range - This range locks the
front driveshaft and rear driveshaft together forcing the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
Additional traction for loose or slippery road surfaces
only.
4WD Low
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front driveshaft and
rear driveshaft together forcing the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose or slippery road
surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Transfer Case Switch
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N
Neutral - This range disengages both the front driveshaft
and rear driveshaft from the powertrain. To be used for
flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in this section for more information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The four-wheel drive indicator lights (4WD and 4 LOW)
are located in the instrument cluster. The NEUTRAL
indicator light is located on the transfer case switch. If
there is no indicator light on or flashing, the transfer case
position is two-wheel drive (2WD). If the indicator light
is on, the desired position (4WD LOCK, 4WD LOW, or
NEUTRAL) has been obtained.
If one or more shift requirements are not met:
•An indicator light will flash.
•The transfer casewill notshift. NOTE:
The “SERV 4WD Warning Light” monitors the
electric shift four-wheel drive system. If this light re-
mains on after engine start up, or it illuminates during
driving, it means that the four-wheel drive system is not
functioning properly and that service is required.
Shifting Procedures
NOTE: If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain on, and the newly selected position indicator
light will continue to flash until all the requirements for
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift, move
the transfer case switch back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD to 4WD Lock
Move the transfer case switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
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the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after mov-
ing the transfer case switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position with the
engine either OFF or RUNNING. This shift cannot be
completed if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.
NOTE:The four-wheel drive system will not allow
shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels
are spinning (no traction). In this situation, the selected
position indicator light will flash and the original posi-
tion indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce
speed and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift.
There may be a delay up to 10 seconds for the shift to
complete after the wheels have stopped spinning.
Delayed shifting out of 4WD LOCK may be experienced
due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or excessive
loading. 4WD Lock to 4WD Low
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some gear noise
may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental
to the vehicle or its occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) using the “Preferred Procedure” or
completely stopped using the “Alternate Procedure.”
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine RUNNING, slow the vehicle speed to
2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, move the transfer case switch to the
desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission into gear.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING