If the shift lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE
START/STOP button is pressed once, the EVIC
(if equipped) will display a “Vehicle Not In Park”
message and the engine will remain running.
Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position,
or it could roll.
NOTE:
If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or
RUN (engine not running) position and the
transmission is in PARK, the system will
automatically time out after 30 minutes of
inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Functions – With
Driver’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal/Clutch
Pedal (In PARK Or NEUTRAL Position)
The Keyless Enter-N-Go™ feature operates
similar to an ignition switch. It has four positions,
OFF, ACC, RUN and START. To change the
ignition switch positions without starting thevehicle and use the accessories follow these
steps.
•
Starting with the ignition switch in the OFF
position:
• Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
once to change the ignition switch to the ACC
position (EVIC displays “IGNITION MODE
ACCESSORY”),
• Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a
second time to change the ignition switch to
the RUN position (EVIC displays “IGNITION
MODE RUN”),
• Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a
third time to return the ignition switch to the
OFF position (EVIC displays “IGNITION
MODE OFF”).
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these tempera-
tures, use of an externally powered electric
engine block heater (available from your autho-
rized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid
into the throttle body air inlet opening in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could result
in flash fire causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle
to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission cannot be started
this way. Unburned fuel could enter the
catalytic converter and once the engine
has started, ignite and damage the con-
verter and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to
“Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies” for further information.
222
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest up-
shifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-
shifts through underdrive first and second
gears, direct third gear and overdrive fourth and
fifth gears. The DRIVE position provides opti-
mum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
To access all six available gears, you must use
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
(refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS) Opera-
tion” in this section).
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section) to se-
lect a lower gear range. Under these conditions,
using a lower gear range will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.If the transmission temperature exceeds normal
operating limits, the powertrain controller will
modify the transmission shift schedule and ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch en-
gagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is
in danger of overheating, the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and
the transmission may operate differently until
the transmission cools down.
NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily
loaded vehicle at low speeds (such as tow-
ing a trailer up a steep grade, or in stop-
and-go traffic) during hot weather. In these
conditions, torque converter slip can im-
pose a significant additional heat load on
the cooling system. Downshifting the trans-
mission to the lowest possible gear (when
climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to
reduce this excess heat generation.
During cold temperatures, transmission opera-
tion may be modified depending on engine andtransmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. This feature improves warm up time of
the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of both the torque
converter clutch and the top overdrive gear are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm
(refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). During extremely cold
temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), opera-
tion may briefly be limited to first and direct
gears only. Normal operation will resume once
the transmission temperature has risen to a
suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition is
detected that could result in transmission dam-
age, Transmission Limp Home Mode is acti-
vated. In this mode, the transmission remains in
direct gear regardless of which forward gear is
selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will
continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home
Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without damaging
the transmission.
234
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an elec-
tronically controlled Overdrive (fourth and fifth
gears). The transmission will automatically shift
into Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
• the transmission fluid has reached an ad-
equate temperature,
• the engine coolant has reached an adequate
temperature,
• vehicle speed is sufficiently high,
• the driver is not heavily pressing the accel-
erator, and
•
the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent trans-
mission shifting occurs, press the TOW/HAUL
switch to activate TOW/HAUL mode. This will
improve performance and reduce the potential
for transmission overheating or failure due to
excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/ HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are delayed,
and the transmission will automatically down-
shift (for engine braking) during steady braking
maneuvers.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate
in the instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/
HAUL mode has been activated. Pressing the
switch a second time restores normal operation.
Normal operation is always the default at en-
gine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired,
the switch must be pressed each time the
engine is started.
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 calibrated
speeds. This may result in a slightly different
feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops
or during some accelerations, the clutch auto-
matically disengages.
NOTE:
•
The torque converter clutch will not en-
gage, and the transmission will not shift
into the top overdrive gear, until the trans-
mission fluid and engine coolant are
warm [usually after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km)
of driving]. Because top gear is disabled,
and engine speed is higher when the
torque converter clutch is not engaged, it
may seem as if the transmission is not
shifting properly when cold. This is nor-
mal. Using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demon-
strate that the transmission is able to shift
into and out of Overdrive.
TOW/HAUL Switch
236
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 possible
with the vehicle completely stopped; how-
ever, difficulty may occur due to the mating
clutch teeth not being properly aligned.
Several attempts may be required 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.
5. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 to shift out of NEU-
TRAL.
NOTE:
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a
“To Tow Vehicle Safely, Read Neutral Shift
Procedure in Owners Manual” message will
flash from the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.Neutral Switch
239
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Fuel Selection – 5.7L Engine 91 Octane Acceptable - 95 Octane Recommended
Fuel Selection – 3.0L Diesel Engine 50 Cetane or higher (Less than 15 ppm Sulfur)
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission We recommend you use MOPAR® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Failure to use ATF+4 fluid may affect the function or performance of your transmission.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Axle Differential (Rear) – 5.7L Engine With
Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) We recommend you use 75W-85 Castrol SAF Carbon Mod or equivalent.
Axle Differential (Rear) – 5.7L Engine Without
Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) We recommend you use 75W-85 Fuchs 5010D or equivalent.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4, that meets the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-9971.
Power Steering Reservoir – 3.0L Diesel Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Hydraulic Fluid that meets Chrysler Material Standard MS-11655.
Power Steering Reservoir – 3.6L Engine and
5.7L EngineWe recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid +4, or MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
342