Seating and Safety Restraints 138
Seating 138
Personal Safety System™ 157
Safety belt system 160
Airbags 171
Child restraints 186
Tires, Wheels and Loading 203
Tire information 203
Tire inflation 205
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 218
Vehicle loading 223
Trailer towing 230
Recreational towing 233
Driving 235
Starting 235
Brakes 242
AdvanceTrac245
Transmission operation 253
Reverse sensing system 258
Rear-view camera system 260
All wheel drive 273
Roadside Emergencies 280
Getting roadside assistance 280
Hazard flasher control 281
Fuel pump shut-off 282
Fuses and relays 282
Changing tires 290
Temporary mobility kit 297
Wheel lug nut torque 306
Jump starting 307
Wrecker towing 310
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Low fuel (RTT):Illuminates when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty. Refer toFuel gauge
in this chapter.
Low washer fluid (RTT):
Illuminates when the washer level in
the washer fluid reservoir is low.
Door ajar (RTT):Illuminates in
the message center display when
the ignition is in the run position
and any door is not completely
closed.
Trunk ajar (RTT):Illuminates in
the message center display when
the ignition is in the run position
and the trunk is open.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control:
Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTrac/Traction
Control™ off light:Illuminates
when the AdvanceTrac/Traction
Control™ has been disabled by the
driver. Refer to theDrivingchapter
for more information.
Overdrive cancel and grade
assist (RTT) (if equipped):
Illuminates when the overdrive
function of the transmission has
been turned off and the grade assist
function has been turned on, refer to theDrivingchapter.
OFF
Instrument Cluster
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Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on or
begins to flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
(if equipped):Illuminates when
ACC is engaged while following a
vehicle. Refer toAdaptive cruise
controlin theDriver Controls
chapter for more information.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged or
when the ACC is engaged without
following a vehicle. Turns off when
the speed control system is
disengaged or when the ACC is
activated.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLockPassive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Throttle Control/Transmission:
Illuminates when a powertrain or an
AWD fault has been detected.
Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
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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.
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.
XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early
reminder of a low fuel condition.
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.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.
Refer toRear park aidin this section to enable.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the manual park 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 park brake is released,
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.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the washer fluid reservoir
is less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle has low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
Instrument Cluster
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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
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT— The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error; service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING— The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition that requires service immediately.
TRUNK AJAR— Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
REMOVE OBJECTS NEAR PASS SEAT— Displayed when objects
are by the passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the
seat, if the warning stays on or continues to come on contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
AWD OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is caused by operating the
vehicle with the compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume normal function and clear this
message after driving a short distance with the road tire re-installed or
after the system is allowed to cool.
CHECK AWD (if equipped)— Displayed in conjunction with the
Throttle Control/Transmission/AWD
light when the AWD system is
not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC OFF— Displayed briefly when the system has been
disabled.
ADVANCETRAC ON— Displayed briefly when the system has been
enabled.
TRACTION CONTROL ON— Displayed briefly when the system has
been enabled.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF— Displayed briefly when the system has
been disabled.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 5% to 1%.
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During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, adjust the blower fan speed to the lowest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission into the P (Park) position to continue
to receive cool air from your A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance in MAX A/C mode:
•Move temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
comfort.
For maximum cooling performance in panel or panel/floor modes:
•Move temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Select A/C and
(recirculated air) to provide colder airflow.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
comfort.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
•Select
.
•Select A/C.
•Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
•Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
•Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
•To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Climate Controls
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VOICE COMMANDS IN CLIMATE MODE
Please refer to theVoice commands in climate modesection of the
Navigation supplementfor more information on using voice commands
with the climate control system.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather,
select
(defrost).
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
MAX A/C, reduce blower fan speed from the highest setting and put the
vehicle’s transmission in P (Park) to continue to receive cool air from
your A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C):
1. Press MAX A/C. The system will default to single-zone operation and
set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
2. A/C,
andwill be selected.
3. Fan speed will be determined by the vehicle’s internal temperature,
but can be adjusted as desired.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan to the highest speed.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
Climate Controls
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For significant blockages (e.g. bird dropping, bug splatter, snow, or ice),
the automatic high beam system uses a blocked sensor computer
program. If a blockage is detected and no changes are observed, the
system will go into low beam mode until the blockage is cleared. If
blockages are repeatedly detected, the system will stay in low beam
mode for the remainder of the ignition cycle unless the system is able to
begin detecting other vehicles again.
If it appears that automatic control of the high beams is not functioning
properly, check the windshield in front of the camera for blockage.
Flash-to-pass
Pull and release to activate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position,
•the headlamp control is in the off, autolamps or parking lamp position
and
•the transmission must be out of the P (Park) position.
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
Lights
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