NOTE:As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
#H,#this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will
sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass#H.#In this case, a continuous chime will
sound, until the engine is allowed to cool or the 4 minutes
duration is expired, whichever come first.
18. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on.
19. 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
20. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds, when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed.
21. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture 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.
312 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
26. Hill Decent Indicator
This indicator shows when the Hill Descent
Control (HDC) feature is turned on. The lamp
will be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can
only be armed when the transfer case is in the
“4WD LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then
30 mph (48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while
attempting to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator
light will flash on/off.
27. Cruise Indicator
This indicator shows when the electronic speed
control system is turned on.
28. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
318 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
The “4WD Indicator Light” will illuminate when the
transfer case has been shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Start the vehicle with the shift lever in the PARK position
(vehicle can also be started in NEUTRAL). Apply the
brake before shifting to any driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Cycle the ignition switch to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will continue to run, but will automatically disengage
itself when the engine is running. If the engine fails to
start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or−29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 421
The transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as hard-surfaced roads.
In the event that additional traction is required, the
transfer case 4H and 4L positions can be used to lock the
front and rear driveshafts together, forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. The 4H and 4L
positions are intended for loose, slippery road surfaces
only and not intended for normal driving. Driving in the
4H and 4L positions on hard-surfaced roads will cause
increased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo-
nents. Refer to “Shifting Procedures” in this section for
further information on shifting into 4H or 4L.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the instrument
cluster) alerts the driver that the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive, and the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. The light will illuminate when the transfer case
is shifted into the 4H position.
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift when only the front or
rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer, and the front and rear
driveshaft speeds must be equal for a shift to take place.
Shifting while the front or rear wheels are spinning at
different speeds can cause damage to the transfer case.
Four-Wheel Drive Shift Controls
442 STARTING AND OPERATING
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed will
be approximately three times (four times for Rubicon
models) that of the 2H or 4H positions at a given road
speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine.
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 or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive
shaft from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle
to roll, even if the automatic transmission is in PARK
(or manual transmission is in gear). 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
4WD system mode position, see the information below:
2H Position
This range is used for normal street and highway driving
on hard-surfaced roads.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 443
4H Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4H) provides additional traction for
loose, slippery road surfaces and should not be used on
dry pavement.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4H position.
N (Neutral) Position
This range disengages the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain. It is to be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Start-
ing and Operating” for further information.
4L Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4L) provides additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
CAUTION!
Exceeding 25 mph (40 km/h) while the transfer case is
engaged in 4L may result in an engine overspeed
condition and engine damage.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4L position.
NOTE:When in 4WD, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will
display in the instrument cluster.
444 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. ESC also cannot prevent accidents resulting
from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive,
and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capa-
bilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of
others.
The ESC system has three available operating modes in
4H range. The system has one operating mode in 4L
range. Two-wheel drive vehicles and four-wheel drive
vehicles in 2H range have two operating modes.
4H Range (4WD Models)
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4H range.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the ESC
OFF switch. When in#ESC Partial Off#mode, the TCS
portion of ESC (except for the limited slip feature de-
scribed in the TCS section), has been disabled and the
#ESC Off Indicator Light#will be illuminated.
478 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!(Continued)
maneuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage
to assist in maintaining stability. The%ESC Full Off%
mode is intended for off-road use only.
4L Range (4WD Models)
ESC Full Off
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4L range.
Whenever the vehicle is started in 4L range, or the
transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4H range or
NEUTRAL to 4L range, the ESC system will be in this
mode. In 4L range, ESC and TCS, except for the Brake
Limited Differential (BLD) feature described in the TCS
section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches an ap-
proximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). For speeds at or
exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h) the ESC goes
into#ESC Partial Off#When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to
#ESC Full Off#. The ESC is in#ESC Full Off#at low vehicle
speeds in 4L range so that it will not interfere with
off-road driving, but the ESC function returns to provide
the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h).
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” will always be illumi-
nated in 4L range when ESC is in#ESC Full Off#or#ESC
Partial Off#.
NOTE:The “ESC OFF” message will display and an
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed in
the PARK position from any position other than PARK,
and then moved out of the PARK position. This will
occur even if the message was previously cleared.
WARNING!
With the ESC in%ESC Full Off%mode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by
ESC and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 481