Note: Electrical or electronic accessories or components added to
the vehicle by the dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
WARNING:Batteries normally produce explosive gases which
can cause personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks
or lighted substances to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide
proper ventilation.
WARNING:When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
WARNING:Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
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WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
4. If the coolant level is normal, you may restart your engine and
continue on.
5. If the coolant is low, add coolant, restart the engine and take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer. SeeAdding engine coolantin this
chapter for more information.
Refer to fail-safe cooling for additional information.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING:Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING:If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system
or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
serious personal injury.
WARNING:Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death
if misused or mishandled.
WARNING:Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene,
which is a cancer-causing agent.
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WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING:If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the
fuel system or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may
result in possible personal injury.
FFV (Flex Fuel Vehicle) fuel cap
If your vehicle is FFV capable, it will have a yellow colored fuel cap.
Choosing the right fuel
If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED
FUEL and FUEL ETHANOL (Ed75–Ed85).
If your vehicle is not a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), then only use
UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum of 10%
ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel, methanol, leaded fuel or
any other fuel.
The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your
vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Note:Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and repairs may not
be covered under warranty.
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•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contain contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. This can damage rubber and other
polymers in the fuel system and may also clog small holes.
A quality fuel stabilizer should be added whenever actual or expected
storage periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the additive
throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean and covered
with a light coat of grease.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
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SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................145
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................146–147
Servicing your vehicle ..............361
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................64
Snowplowing .................7, 307–309
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............185
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................399, 404
Special notice ................................7
ambulance conversions ..............7
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
four-wheel drive vehicles .......309
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Speed control ............................109
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......262
Starting your vehicle ........259–262
jump starting ..........................340
Steering wheel
controls ....................................111
tilting .........................................98
SYNC..........................................77
T
Tailgate ......................................121
Tilt steering wheel ......................98
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....232
Tires ...........................214–216, 323
alignment ................................224
care ..........................................220
changing ..................323, 326, 329
checking the pressure ............219inflating ...................................217
label .........................................231
replacing ..................................222
rotating ....................................225
safety practices .......................223
sidewall information ...............227
snow tires and chains ............238
spare tire .................................324
terminology
.............................216
tire grades
...............................215
treadwear
........................215, 221
Towing
.......................................247
recreational towing
.................258
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated
..............251
trailer towing
..........................247
wrecker
....................................343
Traction control
........................267
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated
................251
Trailer sway control
..................275
Transfer case
fluid checking
.........................394
Transmission
.............................281
brake-shift interlock (BSI)
....279
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)
.............................391
fluid, refill capacities
..............400
Turn signal
..................................90
U
Universal garage door opener
..115
Upfitter controls
.......................112
USB port
......................................71
Index
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