WARNING!
Do not adjust the steering column while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering column while driv-
ing or driving with the steering column un-
locked, could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle. Be sure the steering column is
locked before driving your vehicle. Failure to
follow this warning may result in serious injury
or death.
HEATED STEERING WHEEL —
IF EQUIPPED
The steering wheel contains a heating element
that helps warm your hands in cold weather.
The heated steering wheel has only one tem-
perature setting. Once the heated steering
wheel has been turned on it will operate for
approximately 58 to 70 minutes before auto-
matically shutting off. The heated steering
wheel can shut off early or may not turn on
when the steering wheel is already warm.
The heated steering wheel switch is located on
the switch bank below the climate controls.Press the switch to turn
on the heated steering
wheel. The light on the
switch will illuminate to
indicate the steering
wheel heater is on.
Pressing the switch a
second time will turn off
the heated steering
wheel and light indica-
tor.
NOTE:
The engine must be running for the heated
steering wheel to operate.
Vehicles Equipped with Remote Start
On models that are equipped with remote start,
the heated steering wheel and seat can be
programmed to come on during a remote start.
Refer to “Remote Starting System — If
Equipped” in “Things to Know Before Starting
Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
• Persons who are unable to feel pain to the
skin because of advanced age, chronic
illness, diabetes, spinal cord injury, medi-
cation, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other
physical conditions must exercise care
when using the steering wheel heater. It
may cause burns even at low tempera-
tures, especially if used for long periods.
• Do not place anything on the steering
wheel that insulates against heat, such as a
blanket or cushion. This may cause the
steering wheel heater to overheat.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLWhen engaged, the Electronic Speed Control
takes over accelerator operations at speeds
greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Electronic Speed Control buttons are lo-
cated on the right side of the steering wheel.
11 6
23. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF
Indicator Light — If EquippedThis light indicates the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) is off.
24. Vehicle Security Light This light will flash rapidly for ap-
proximately 15 seconds when the
vehicle theft alarm is arming. The
light will flash at a slower speed
continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on
for about three seconds when the ignition is first
turned on.
25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range indicates that the engine cooling system
is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher
temperature when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to exceed the upper
limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads “H” pull over and stop the ve-
hicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the
normal range. If the pointer remains on the “H”
and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized
dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous.
You or others could be badly burned by steam
or boiling coolant. You may want to call an
authorized dealership for service if your ve-
hicle overheats. If you decide to look under
the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.26. Rear Fog Light Indicator
This indicator will illuminate when the
rear fog lights are on.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE
INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) features a driver-interactive display that
is located in the instrument cluster.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display
163
non-essential electrical devices or increase en-
gine speed (if at idle). If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is
experiencing a problem with the charging sys-
tem. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an
authorized dealer.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump
Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies”.
•Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem
with the Electronic Throttle Control
(ETC) system. The light will come
on when the ignition is first turned
ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come
on during starting, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on
while the engine is running. Cycle the ignition
key when the vehicle has completely stopped
and the shift lever is placed in the PARK
position. The light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running
your vehicle, will usually be drivable, however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is flashing when the engine
is running, immediate service is required and
you may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your
vehicle may require towing.
•
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated en-
gine condition. As temperatures rise
and the gauge approaches H,this
indicator will illuminate and a single
chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass H,the indicator will continuously
flash and a continuous chime will occur until
the engine is allowed to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull
over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is
on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the tempera-
ture reading does not return to normal, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for more information. •
Transmission Temperature Light
This light indicates that there is
excessive transmission fluid tem-
perature that might occur with se-
vere usage such as trailer towing.
It may also occur when operating
the vehicle in a high torque con-
verter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road opera-
tion). If this light comes on, stop the vehicle and
run the engine at idle or faster, with the trans-
mission in NEUTRAL until the light goes off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission
Temperature Indicator illuminated will eventu-
ally cause severe transmission damage or
transmission failure.
170
Operating Tips
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humid-
ity inside the vehicle is high. This often occurs
in mild or cool temperatures when it’s rainy or
humid. In most cases, turning the air condition-
ing (pressing the A/C button) on will clear the
fog. Adjust the temperature control, air direc-
tion, and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder, it may be
necessary to direct air onto the windshield.
Adjust the temperature control and blower
speed to maintain comfort. Higher blower
speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by
selecting the DEFROST mode.Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows
with a non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar
and water works very well) will help prevent
contaminates (cigarette smoke, perfumes, etc.)
from sticking to the windows. Contaminates
increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
NOTE:
In some cases during high temperature
trailer tow operation the Air Conditioning
system performance may be reduced. This
is to help protect the engine from overheat-
ing during the high load condition.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped
with an automatic recirculation system. When
the system senses a heavy load or high heat
conditions, it may use partial Recirculation A/C
mode to provide additional comfort.Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter
months, make sure the air intake, located di-
rectly in front of the windshield, is free of ice,
slush, snow, or other obstructions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more,
run the air conditioning system at idle for about
five minutes in the fresh air and high blower
setting. This will ensure adequate system lubri-
cation to minimize the possibility of compressor
damage when the system is started again.
192
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
sive shifting and heat buildup. This action
will also provide better engine braking.
The transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the transmission fluid level before
towing (5.7L engine).
To help maintain a comfortable operating
temperature for your transmission, it is rec-
ommended that when towing a maximum
loaded trailer up steep grades with switch
backs, you should use the ERS function on
the transmission shifter to lock your vehicle
into first gear (5.7L Models Only).
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped
Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you expe-rience speed drops greater than 10 mph
(16 km/h), disengage until you can get back
to cruising speed. Use speed control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission
overheating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift
the transmission into NEUTRAL and increase
engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Trailer Hitch Attaching Points
Your vehicle will require extra equipment to tow
a trailer safely and efficiently. The trailer tow
hitch must be attached to your vehicle using
the provided attaching points on the vehicle’s
frame. Refer to the following chart to determine
the accurate attaching points. Other equip-
ment, such as trailer sway controls and braking
equipment, trailer equalizing (leveling) equip-
ment and low profile mirrors, may also be
required or strongly recommended.
Trailer Tow Hitch Attaching Points And Overhang Dimensions
Fixed, Detach
and Retractable Hitch
A 1.85 ft. (565 mm)
B 2.09 ft. (636 mm)
C 2.32 ft. (707 mm)
D 2.4 ft. (733 mm)
E 1.62 ft. (494 mm)
F 1.47 ft. (447 mm)
G (Maximum Overhang) 3.59 ft. (1093 mm)
250