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Note:To avoid premature clutch wear and failure, do not drive with
your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use it to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on an upgrade as when waiting for a traffic light.
Manual transmission shift patterns
are displayed on either the shift
lever knob or the sun visor.
Study this information carefully before you drive the vehicle even though
you may be familiar with similar units. Do not attempt to drive the
vehicle without knowing the exact shift pattern of the transmission.
Consult your authorized dealer if any questions exist as to the shifting
instructions posted in your vehicle.
WARNING:Do not coast the vehicle with the clutch pedal
pressed or with the transmission in neutral. This practice could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Driving hints
The following driving hints are provided as a brief, general guide in
operating the different manual transmissions used in your vehicle.
•When shifting into 1 (First) or R (Reverse) with vehicle standing still,
quickly release and press the clutch pedal (if necessary to complete
gear engagement).
•Always use the lowest (or most appropriate) gear to start the vehicle.
•Always use a gear ratio low enough to allow the engine to operate
above the minimum engine operation speed range.
•Do not lug the engine.
•Do not slam or jerk the gearshift lever into gear.
•When more power is required, shift to a lower gear and accelerate the
engine near the governed speed.
To go forward
With the engine idling, press the clutch pedal in and shift into 1 (First).
Engage the clutch while pressing the accelerator to start forward.
Operate the clutch and upshift as required by driving conditions.
R 1 3 5
4
6 2
Driving
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Air suspension U-bolt and U-bolt nut installation
1. Inspect the threads of the U-bolt and nut for rust and debris. Clean
the threads if contaminated.
2. Install the U-bolts and nuts and torque the nuts to seat the cap flat
which is about 18 ft-lb (25 N•m) using a diagonal pattern. Use the same
diagonal pattern for each of the following U-bolt nut re-torque steps.
3. Tighten U-bolt nuts in increments of 74 ft-lb (100 N•m) until
tightened to final torque for the particular suspension.
DRIVESHAFT
At the regular lubrication interval, check the universal joints for any
evidence of wear or looseness. Should driveshaft vibrations occur, stop
the vehicle immediately to avoid possible hazardous consequences or
damage to other components.
REAR AXLE LUBRICANT
Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidechapter for rear axle
lubricant level checks and lubricant change intervals.
Your rear axle may be filled with an optional synthetic lubricant which
allows the use of extended service intervals. A tag on the filler plug will
identify the use of the synthetic lubricant.
Use only a lubricant that meets manufacturer specifications (refer to
Lubricant specificationsin this chapter).
Use of a non-approved rear axle lubricant may cause internal axle
component damage.
Checking the rear axle lubricant level
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Set the parking brake and shift into N (Neutral) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
3. Clean any dirt from around the rear axle filler plug.
4. Remove the filler plug and inspect the lubricant level.
5. The lubricant level should be up to the bottom of the filler plug
opening.
6. If necessary, add enough lubricant through the filler plug opening so
that the lubricant level is at the bottom of the opening.
7. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Wear
Radial tires can exhibit three types of normal wear patterns:
1. Even
2. Erosion
3. Chamfer
Even wearis a sign that the tire is being properly used and maintained.
Erosion wearhas also been called rolling wear, channel or river wear.
Erosion wear is found more often at free rolling tires. This is an
indication that the tire is being used in a slow wearing operation. What
happens is that the belt plies are held very rigid and the tread is not
allowed to distort as it passes through the contact area. Wear will only
occur at the edge of the tread. No corrective action required. If erosion
gets to be 1/16 inch (2 mm) or more, the tire may be rotated to a drive
axle.
Chamfer or shoulder wear,with tires inflated properly, is a normal
tendency of most radial tire designs. If both inside and outside shoulders
are wearing evenly around the tire, no further action is required.
Over-inflation is not effective in correcting this effect.
Tires: Irregular Wear
If irregular wear is present, check the axle alignment, tire pressure,
wheel balancing, shock and suspension component condition, and wheel
bearing end play.
This condition not only shortens tire life, but will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle, which is dangerous.
Rotating tires from one wheel position to another is a way often used to
even out many types of irregular wear or to avoid it altogether. Some of
the more effective tire rotation programs are:
•Steer tires that have developed some type of irregular wear pattern
can be rotated to drive axles if rib tires are being used on all wheel
positions. Applying steer tires to a drive position will often clean them
and they can be moved back to the steer axles or run out to re-tread
stage on the rear axle.
•Another rotation possibility for fleets with rib tires in all wheel
positions is to break in the new steer tires in the drive axle positions,
then move them to steer axles. This will wear away tread rubber
relatively quickly in the early life of a tire when it is most likely to
develop an unusual wear pattern.
•Drive axle tires may be placed on the other end of the same axle so
that direction of rotation is reversed. This is often helpful if a heel and
toe or alternate lug wear pattern has developed.
Maintenance and Specifications
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