Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an elec-
tronically controlled Overdrive (fifth gear for
3.6L and 3.0L Diesel engine, fourth and fifth
gears for 5.7L engine). The transmission will
automatically shift to Overdrive, if the following
conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
• the engine coolant has reached normal op-
erating temperature;
• vehicle speed is above approximately
30 mph (48 km/h);
• the TOW/HAUL switch has not been acti-
vated;
• transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is started in extremely cold
temperatures, the transmission may not
shift into Overdrive and will automatically
select the most desirable gear for operation
at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid tem-
perature has risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section.
During cold temperature operation you may
notice delayed upshifts, depending on en-
gine and transmission temperature. This
feature improves the warm-up time of the
engine and transmission.
If the transmission temperature gets ex-
tremely hot, the transmission will automati-
cally select the most desirable gear for op-
eration at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot
enough, the “TRANSMISSION OVER TEMP”
message may display, and the transmission
may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cool down,
the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive,
to the most desirable gear, if the accelerator
pedal is fully pressed at vehicle speeds above
approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode –
If Equipped
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent trans-
mission shifting occurs, press the TOW/HAUL
switch. This will improve performance and re-
duce the potential for transmission overheating
or failure due to excessive shifting. When oper-
ating in TOW/HAUL mode, the transmission will
shift into direct gear and Overdrive will be
enabled under steady cruise conditions.
TOW/HAUL Switch
208
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate
in the instrument cluster to indicate when the
switch has been activated. Pressing the switch
a second time restores normal operation. If the
TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the switch must
be pressed each time the engine is started.
In high ambient temperatures with sustained
high engine speed and load, an upshift, fol-
lowed shortly thereafter by a downshift, may
occur. The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will
turn off. This is a normal part of the overheat
protection strategy when operating in the TOW/
HAUL mode.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored for abnor-
mal conditions. If a condition is detected that
could result in transmission damage, the Trans-
mission Limp Home Mode will be engaged. In
this mode, the transmission will remain in the
current gear (3.6L and 3.0L Diesel engine) or in
direct gear (5.7L engine) until the vehicle is
brought to a stop.To reset the transmission, use the following
procedure:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK position.
3. Turn the engine off, and be sure to turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds, then restart
the engine.
5. Move the shift lever to the desired gear
range.
If the problem is no longer detected, the trans-
mission will return to normal operation. If the
problem persists, PARK, REVERSE, and NEU-
TRAL will continue to operate. Only second
gear (3.6L and 3.0L Diesel engine) or third gear
(5.7L engine) will be available in the DRIVE
position. Have the transmission checked at
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy,
has been included in the automatic transmis-
sion on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically, at a cali-brated speed, at light throttle. It engages at
higher speeds under heavier acceleration. This
may result in a slightly different feeling or
response during normal operation in high gear.
When the vehicle speed drops below a cali-
brated speed, or during acceleration, the
clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
•
The torque converter clutch will not en-
gage until the transmission fluid and en-
gine coolant are warm [usually 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 dem-
onstrate that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of Overdrive. For ve-
hicles with 5.7L engines (which have two
Overdrive gears), the transmission may
not shift into the top Overdrive gear (nor-
mal fifth gear) until the transmission fluid
and engine coolant are warm.
209
•If the vehicle has not been driven in sev-
eral days, the first few seconds of opera-
tion after shifting the transmission into
gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This con-
dition is normal and will not cause dam-
age to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after
starting the engine.
Rocking the VehicleIf the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or
mud, it can often be moved by a rocking
motion. Move the shift lever between DRIVE
and REVERSE, while applying slight pressure
to the accelerator.
NOTE:
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and
Traction Control System (TCS) (if equipped)
should be turned OFF before attempting to
rock the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Starting and Operating”
for further information. The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning
the wheels or racing the engine, is most effec-
tive. Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating and fail-
ure. Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever
in NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every
five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize
overheating and reduce the risk of transmission
failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck
vehicle.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 II
Operating
Instructions/Precautions
The Quadra-Trac II transfer case is fully auto-
matic in the normal driving 4WD AUTO 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.
Transfer Case Switch
210
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 en-
gaging 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.
Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate
use of each transfer case mode position, see
the information below:
4WD AUTO
This range is used on surfaces such as ice,
snow, gravel, sand, and dry hard pavement.NOTE:
Refer to “Selec-Terrain
– If Equipped” in
“Starting and Operating” for further infor-
mation on the various positions and their
intended usages.
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 Operat-
ing” 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).
NOTE:
Refer to “Selec-Terrain – If Equipped” for
further information on the various positions
and their intended usages.
211
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 press the “4WD LOW” button
once on the transfer case switch. The “4WD
LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster
will begin to flash and remain on solid when the
shift is complete.
NOTE:
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, or
a transfer case motor temperature protec-tion condition exists, a “For 4x4 Low Slow
Below 3 MPH or 5 KPH Put Trans in N Press
4 Low” message will flash from the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Re-
fer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
4WD LOW to 4WD HI
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 press the “4WD LOW” button
once on the transfer case switch. The “4WD
LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster
will flash and go out when the shift is complete.
NOTE:
•
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met,
or a transfer case motor temperature pro-
tection condition exists, a “For 4x4 High
Slow Below 3 MPH or 5 KPH Put Trans in
N Press 4 Low” message will flash from
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor- mation Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation.
• Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is pos-
sible with the vehicle completely stopped;
however, difficulty may occur due to the
mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be re-
quired for clutch teeth alignment and shift
completion to occur. The preferred
method is with the vehicle rolling 0 to
3 mph (0 to 5 km/h). If the vehicle is
moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h), the
transfer case will not allow the shift.
NEUTRAL Shift Procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position,
engine off.
2. Vehicle stopped, with foot on brake.
3. Place the transmission into NEUTRAL.
4. Hold down the NEUTRAL “pin” switch (with
a pen, etc.) for four seconds until the LED light
by the switch starts to blink indicating shift in
progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on
solid) when the NEUTRAL shift is complete. A
Transfer Case Switch
212
speed remains between 15 mph (24 km/h)
and 25 mph (40 km/h) for greater than
60 seconds, or the vehicle speed exceeds
25 mph (40 km/h) the Park Mode change will
be cancelled. To exit Park Mode, press the
“Up” button once while in Park Mode or drive
the vehicle over 15 mph (24 km/h).
The Selec-Terrain™ switch will automatically
change the vehicle to the proper height based
on the position of the Selec-Terrain™ switch.
The height can be changed from the default
Selec-Terrain™ setting by normal use of the air
suspension buttons. Refer to “Selec-Terrain™”
in “Starting and Operating” for further informa-
tion.
The system requires that the engine be running
for all changes. When lowering the vehicle all of
the doors, including the liftgate, must be
closed. If a door is opened at any time while the
vehicle is lowering the change will not be
completed until the open door(s) is closed.
The Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system uses
a lifting and lowering pattern which keeps the
headlights from incorrectly shining into oncom-
ing traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle will move up first and then the front.
When lowering the vehicle, the front will move
down first and then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed
that the air suspension system operates briefly,
this is normal. The system is correcting the
position of the vehicle to ensure a proper
appearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the
Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system has a fea-
ture which allows the automatic leveling to be
disabled. Press and hold both the “Up” and
“Down” buttons simultaneously between 5 and
10 seconds, a message will appear in the EVIC
stating leveling has been disabled immediately
after both buttons have been released. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. Driving the vehicle over
5 mph (8 km/h) will return the air suspension to
normal operation. Refer to “Jacking and Tire
Changing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pres-
sure volume of air to operate the system. To
avoid personal injury or damage to the sys-
tem, see your authorized dealer for service.
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a mes-
sage will appear in the EVIC display. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a
system error has been detected.
OperationThe indicator lamps 3 through 6 will illuminate
to show the current position of the vehicle.
Flashing indicator lamps will show a position
which the system is working to achieve. When
raising, if multiple indicator lamps are flashing
on the “Up” button, the highest flashing indica-
tor lamp is the position the system is working to
achieve. When lowering, if multiple indicators
216
are flashing on theUp button the lowest solid
indicator lamp is the position the system is
working to achieve.
Pressing the “UP” button once will move the
suspension one position higher from the cur-
rent position, assuming all conditions are met
(i.e. engine running, speed below threshold,
etc). The “UP” button can be pressed multiple
times, each press will raise the requested level
by one position up to a maximum position of
OR2 or the highest position allowed based on
current conditions (i.e. vehicle speed, etc).
Pressing the “DOWN” button once will move
the suspension one position lower from the
current level, assuming all conditions are met
(i.e. engine running, doors closed, speed be-
low threshold, etc). The “DOWN” button can be
pressed multiple times. Each press will lower
the requested level by one position down to a
minimum of Park Mode or the lowest position
allowed based on current conditions (i.e. ve-
hicle speed, etc.)
Automatic height changes will occur based on
vehicle speed and the current vehicle height.
The indicator lamps and EVIC messages will operate the same for automatic changes and
user requested changes.
•
Off-Road 2 (OR2) – Indicator lamps 4, 5, and
6 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in
OR2.
• Off-Road 1 (OR1) – Indicator lamps 4 and 5
will be illuminated when the vehicle is in
OR1.
• Normal Ride Height (NRH) – Indicator lamp 4
will be illuminated when the vehicle is in this
position.
• Park Mode – Indicator lamp 3 will be illumi-
nated when the vehicle is in Park Mode. If
Park Mode is requested while vehicle speed
is between 15 mph (24 km/h) and 25 mph
(40 km/h), indicator lamp 4 will remain on
solid and indicator lamp 3 will flash as the
system waits for the vehicle to reduce
speed. If vehicle speed is reduced to, and
kept below, 15 mph (24 km/h) indicator lamp
4 will turn off and indicator lamp 3 will flash
until Park Mode is achieved at which point
indicator lamp 3 will go solid. If during the
height change to Park Mode, the vehicle
speed exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h), the height change will be paused until the vehicle
speed either goes below 15 mph (24 km/h)
and the height change continues to Park
Mode, or exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) and the
vehicle height will return to NRH. Park Mode
may be selected while the vehicle is not
moving provided that the engine is still run-
ning and all doors remain closed.
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPSUtility vehicles have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off-road applica-
tions. Specific design characteristics give them
a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars.
An advantage of the higher ground clearance
is a better view of the road, allowing you to
anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily in off-road conditions. If at all
possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure
to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or vehicle rollover.
217
sink into deeper water. Determine exit point(s)
that are downstream of your entry point to allow
for drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than
20 in (51 cm), and reduce speed appropriately
to minimize wave effects. Maximum speed in
20 in (51 cm) of water is less than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your
vehicle fluids and lubricants (engine oil, trans-
mission oil, axle, transfer case) to assure the
fluids have not been contaminated. Contami-
nated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance) should
be flushed/changed as soon as possible to
prevent component damage.
Driving in Snow, Mud and SandIn heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for
additional control at slower speeds, shift the
transmission to a low gear and shift the transfer
case to 4WD LOW if necessary. Refer to “Four-
Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information. Do not shift to a
lower gear than necessary to maintain forwardmotion. Over-revving the engine can spin the
wheels and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery
roads, because engine braking may cause
skidding and loss of control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:
Before attempting to climb a hill, determine
the conditions at the crest and/or on the
other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,
shift the trans-
mission to a lower gear and shift the transfer
case to 4WD LOW. Use first gear and 4WD
LOW for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to
come to a stop and immediately apply the
brakes. Restart the engine, and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required
to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a
hill always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front
wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.
Traction DownhillShift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four
wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction. 219