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Types of messages and warnings:
•Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
•Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
•Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
•Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing RESET.
This allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing
the message.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when a fault has been detected
by the ABS module.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the electrical system
is not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical
accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of
the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes
on when the engine is operating at normal speeds, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TURN POWER OFF TO SAVE BATT (if equipped)— Displayed
when the battery management system determines that:
•the battery is at a low state of charge or,
•the ignition has been in accessory position or on position with the
engine off for approximately 45 minutes.
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Turn the ignition off as soon as possible to protect the battery. This
message will clear once the vehicle has been started and the battery
state of charge has recovered. Turning off unnecessary electrical loads
while driving will allow faster battery state-of-charge recovery. See
Battery management systemin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
LOW BATTERY LESS FEATURES (if equipped)— Displayed when
the battery management system detects an extended low-voltage
condition. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help preserve the
battery. Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to
improve system voltage. If the system voltage has recovered, the disabled
features will operate again as normal.
CHECK REAR PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transmission is in R (Reverse). Refer toReverse sensing systemin the
Drivingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
CHECK FUEL FILL INLET— Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may
not be properly closed. Refer toEasy Fuel“no cap” fuel systemin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been disabled by the driver.
ADVANCETRAC ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been enabled by the driver.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been enabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
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CHECK 4X4 (if equipped)— Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is
present. For more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD)
operationin theDrivingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when an oil change is
required.
XX%ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON—Displayed when an oil change
will soon be required and shows the percentage of oil life left.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESS— Displayed when the 4X4 system is
making a shift. For further information, refer toFour-wheel drive
(4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,
refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed
when 2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
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TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD (if equipped)— May display
when shifting to or from 4X4 LOW. For more information, refer to
Four-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
NEUTRAL TOW LEAVE IN N (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transfer case is in the neutral position. This message indicates that the
vehicle is safe to be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transfer case is NOT in the neutral position. This message indicates that
the vehicle is NOT safe to be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when
training the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN LEFT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TIRES NOT TRAINED – REPEAT (if equipped)— Displayed when
an error occurs while training the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset
procedurein theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
TRAINING COMPLETE (if equipped)— Displayed when training of
the TPMS system is complete. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
MYKEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed at startup when
MyKeyis in use. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter
for more information.
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer toMyKeyin
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
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VEHICLE SPEED 80 MPH MAX— Displayed when a MyKeyis in
use and the Admin has enabled the MyKey speed limit and the vehicle
speed is 80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MPH— Displayed when starting the vehicle
and MyKeyis in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer toMyKey
in theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
CHECK SPEED DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed when a MyKeyis in
use and the optional setting is on and the vehicle exceeds a preselected
speed. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKeyis in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
TOP SPEED MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKeyis in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is 80 mph
(130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for
more information.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKeyis in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
ADVTRAC ON MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKeyis in
use when trying to disable the AdvanceTracsystem and the optional
setting is on. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for
more information.
TO STOP ALARM START VEHICLE— Displayed when the perimeter
alarm system is armed and the vehicle is entered using the key on the
driver’s side door. In order to prevent the perimeter alarm system from
triggering, the ignition must be turned to start or on before the
12 second chime expires. SeePerimeter alarm systemin theLocks and
securitychapter.
SECURITY SYSTEM FAULT— Displayed when the security system
has detected a fault. See your authorized dealer for service.
INTKEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is
made to program a fifth integrated key to the remote keyless entry
system. For more information on integrated key, refer to theLocks and
Securitychapter.
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer toMyKey
in
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
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CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (if equipped)— Displayed
when an electronic locking differential (ELD) system fault is present. For
more information, refer toElectronic locking differential (ELD)in the
Drivingchapter.
ELD ENGAGED/DISENGAGED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
electronic locking differential (ELD) is enabled or disabled. For more
information, refer toElectronic locking differential (ELD)in the
Drivingchapter.
TO ENGAGE ELD SLOW TO XX MPH/KM/H (if equipped)—
Displayed when the electronic locking differential requests a certain
speed requirement to engage. For more information, refer toElectronic
locking differential (ELD)in theDrivingchapter.
TO ENGAGE ELD RELEASE PEDAL (if equipped)— Displayed
when the electronic locking differential request the accelerator to be
released in order to engage. For more information, refer toElectronic
locking differential (ELD)in theDrivingchapter.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a hill descent system fault is present.
HILL CNTRL OFF SYSTEM COOLING (if equipped)— Displayed
when a hill descent system fault is present.
FOR OFF ROAD SLOW TO 5 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
the vehicle speed requirement for off-road mode entry has not been met.
OFF ROAD MODE ENABLED (if equipped)— Displayed when
off-road mode becomes active.
EXITING OFF ROAD MODE (if equipped)— Displayed when
off-road mode becomes inactive.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL ACTIVE (if equipped)— Displayed
when hill descent control mode becomes active.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when
hill descent control mode becomes inactive.
FOR HILL CNTRL 20 MPH OR LESS (if equipped)— Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for hill control mode entry has not
been met.
DRIVER RESUME CONTROL (if equipped)— Displayed when the
hill control and off-road mode require the driver to resume control.
FOR HILL CNTRL SELECT GEAR (if equipped)— Displayed when
the driver is requested to select a transmission gear to enable operation
of the hill mode and off-road mode.
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COAST DOWN MODE (if equipped)— Displayed when vehicle
enters coast down mode.
UPLEVEL MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with informational messages and/or warnings.
The message center is also used to program/configure the different
features of your vehicle.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster. Use the
steering wheel mounted buttons to navigate through the message center.
Press the up/down buttons to move
up/down through the message
center choices.
Press the left/right buttons to move
left/right through the message
center choices.
Press the OK button to select
highlighted options and confirm
choices/messages.
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Main menu
From the main menu screen you can choose the following:
•Gauge Mode
•Trip A/B
•Fuel Economy
•Truck Apps (if equipped)
•Settings
•Information
Scroll up/down to highlight one of the options, then press the right arrow
key or OK to enter into that menu option.
Gauge Mode
Gauge Detail:In this mode, the following options are available in
different graphical formats:
•Trans Temp: displays the transmission operating temperature
•4X4 auto-Control Trac: displays power distribution between the front
and rear wheels. More power to either front or rear wheels will be
displayed by more area filled in.
•Blank screen
Trip A/B
In this mode, Trip A or B registers the following:
•Trip time — shows the elapsed trip time. This timer will stop when
the vehicle is turned off and will restart when the vehicle is restarted.
•Trip distance — shows the accumulated trip distance.
•Fuel used — shows the amount of fuel used for a given trip.
•Average MPG (L/100km) — shows the average distance traveled per
unit of fuel used for a given trip.
•Odometer — shows the vehicle’s total accumulated distance. This
value cannot be reset.
Press the right arrow key to reach Trip B. Press the left arrow to go back
to Trip A.
Press OK to pause the Trip A or B screen/press again to un-pause.
Press and hold OK to reset the currently displayed trip information.
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