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Panel ModeAir comes from the outlets in the instrument panel.
Each of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. The air vanes of the center outlets
and outboard outlets can be moved up and down or side
to side to regulate airflow direction. There is a shut off
wheel located below the air vanes to shut off or adjust the
amount of airflow from these outlets.
Bi-Level Mode Air comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor
outlets and defrost outlets.
NOTE: In many temperature positions, the BI-LEVEL
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the panel
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount of
air is directed through the defrost and side window
demister outlets. Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demist outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions. It allows you to stay comfortable
while keeping the windshield clear.
Defrost Mode Air comes from the windshield and side window
demist outlets. Use Defrost mode with maximum
temperature settings for best windshield and side win-
dow defrosting. When the defrost mode is selected, the
blower will automatically default to medium-high unless
the blower is controlled manually.
NOTE: While operating in the other modes, the system
will not automatically sense the presence of fog, mist or
ice on the windshield. Defrost mode must be manually
selected to clear the windshield and side glass.
324 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 336
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 336
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 337
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 338
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 339
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 340
▫ After Starting ....................... 341
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 341
Automatic Transmission ................. 342
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 342
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 343
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 343
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 343
All-Wheel Drive Operation ............... 350
▫ Single-Speed Operating Instructions/
Precautions (3.6L Engine) – If Equipped .... 350
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▫Ready Alert Braking .................. 376
▫ Rain Brake Support ................... 376
▫ ESC Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC
Off Indicator Light ................... 377
Tire Safety Information ................. 378
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 378
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 381
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 382
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 383
Tires — General Information ............. 387
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 387
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 388
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 390 ▫
Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 390
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 391
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 391
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 392
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 393
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 394
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 394
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 395
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 395
Tire Chains (Traction Devices) ............. 397
Snow Tires .......................... 398
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 398
5
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▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 421
Vehicle Loading ...................... 422
▫ Certification Label ................... 422
Trailer Towing ........................ 424
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 424
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 429
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 430
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 431
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 432
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 437
Snow Plow .......................... 438
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 439
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 439
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Single-Speed Transfer Case) ....... 440
▫ Recreational Towing – All-Wheel Drive
Models (Two-Speed Transfer Case) ........ 441
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
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transmission will downshift to fourth gear and the dis-
play will show 4. Another tap to the left (-) will shift the
transmission into third gear.
5.7L Engine
On vehicles equipped with the 5.7L engine, use of ERS (or
TOW/HAUL mode) also enables an additional under-
drive gear which is not normally used during through-
gear accelerations. This additional gear improves vehicle
performance and cooling capability when towing a trailer
on certain grades. ERS 1, 2, and 3 are underdrive gears;
ERS 4 is direct drive. ERS 5 (Overdrive) is the same as the
normal 4th gear. When in the DRIVE position in first
through fourth gear, the first tap to the left (-) will display
the ERS designation for the current gear (the transmis-
sion will not downshift). For example, if you are in
DRIVE and are in third (direct) gear, when you tap the
shift lever one time to the left (-), the display will show 4
(ERS 4 is direct gear). Another tap to the left (-) will shift
the transmission down to ERS 3 (the added underdrivegear). 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 Display
12345*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.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING
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drops below a calibrated speed, or during acceleration,
the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to 4.8 km) of driving].
Because the engine speed is higher when the torque
converter clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the
transmission is not shifting into Overdrive when cold.
This is normal. Manually shifting (using the ERS shift
control) between 4 (direct gear) and 5/D (Overdrive
gear) positions will demonstrate that the transmission
is able to shift into and out of Overdrive. For vehicles
with 5.7L engines (which have two Overdrive gears),
the transmission may not shift into the top Overdrive
gear (normal fifth gear) until the transmission fluid
and engine coolant are warm.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
Single-Speed Operating Instructions/Precautions
(3.6L Engine) – If Equipped
This system contains a single-speed (HI range only)
transfer case, which provides convenient full-time all-
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.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING
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NOTE:This system is not appropriate for conditions
where LOW range is recommended. Refer to “Off-Road
Driving Tips” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Three-Position Switch) (5.7L Engine) –
If Equipped
This is an electronic shift transfer case and it is operated
by the AWD Control Switch, which is located on the
center console.
This electronically shifted transfer case provides three
mode positions:
•All-wheel drive automatic range (AWD AUTO)
•All-wheel drive low range (LOW RANGE)
•Neutral (NEUTRAL)
AWD Control Switch (Three–Position)
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This electronically shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the AWD AUTO position for normal street and
highway conditions on dry hard surfaced roads.
For variable driving conditions, the AWD AUTO mode
can be used. In this mode, the front axle is engaged, but
the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. All-wheel
drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
LOW RANGE position can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished
by rotating the AWD Control Switch to the desired
position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for specific shift-
ing instructions. The LOW RANGE position is designed
for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the
LOW RANGE position on dry hard surfaced roads may
cause increased tire wear and damage to the driveline
components.Transfer Case Position Indicator Messages
The Transfer Case Position Indicator messages (AWD
AUTO and LOW RANGE) are located in the EVIC
(Electronic Vehicle Information Center) and indicate the
current and desired transfer case selection. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion. When you select a different transfer case position,
the position indicator lights will do the following:
If All Shift Conditions Are Met:
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
352 STARTING AND OPERATING