Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.
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 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.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL (N) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a
manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five
seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmis-
sion in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in
NEUTRAL).
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK
with the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the transfer
case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine is OFF before shifting the transmis-
sion into PARK.
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13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
NOTE:
When shifting the transfer case out of NEUTRAL (N), the engine should remain OFF
to avoid gear clash.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place manual transmission in
NEUTRAL.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
11. Start the engine.
12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on
manual transmissions), and check that the vehicle operates normally.
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- Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds 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 temperature reading does not return to normal,
turn the engine off immediately.
We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have
the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others could be badly burned by
steam or boiling coolant.
- Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking
brake application. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, that the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock
brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid
level is at the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been
detected by the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system. In this case, the light will remain on until the condition has been corrected.
If the problem is related to the brake booster, the ABS pump will run when applying
the brake and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capacity in the event of a failure to
a portion of the hydraulic system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on when the brake fluid level
in the master cylinder has dropped below a specified level. The light will remain on
until the cause is corrected.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake
Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair to the ABS
system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by turning the ignition switch
from the OFF position to the ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for
approximately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless the parking brake
is applied or a brake fault is detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the potential for overheating by
taking the appropriate action:
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL, but do not
increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the
engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor
and the blower control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement to
the radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine off
immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from
your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
• The jack and lug wrench are located in the rear storage compartment.
NOTE:
Turn the black plastic wing nut counter clockwise to loosen the jack from the storage
bin.
Spare Tire Stowage
•To remove the spare tire from the car-
rier, remove the tire cover, if equipped,
and remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench turning them counterclockwise.
NOTE:
If you have added aftermarket accesso-
ries to the spare tire mounted carrier, it
cannot exceed a gross weight of 85 lbs
(38.5 kg) including the weight of the
spare tire.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice
or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or a manual transmission into
REVERSE.
5. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Block both the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite of the jacking posi-
tion. For example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear wheel.
NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the ve-
hicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Plastic Wing Nut Location
Wheel Blocked
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112
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take
it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jack
should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway
as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK;
a manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle
during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares
must be stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less
stable and cause a collision. It could slip off the jack and hurt someone
near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the
wheel nuts fully until the vehicle has been lowered.
• A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop, could en-
danger the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the
spare tire in the places provided.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the lug
nuts fully until the vehicle is lowered to the ground.
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JUMP-STARTING
• If your vehicle has a discharged bat-
tery it can be jump-started using a set
of jumper cables and a battery in an-
other vehicle or by using a portable
battery booster pack.
• Jump-starting can be dangerous if
done improperly so please follow the
procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster
pack follow the manufacturer’s operating
instructions and precautions.
Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in
the right rear of the engine compartment.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the
ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within the
jumper cables reach, set the parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
Jump-Starting Procedure
1. Connect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable to the positive(+)post of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper cable to the positive(+)post
of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative(-)end of the jumper cable to the negative(-)post of the
booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper cable to a good engine ground
(exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a
few minutes, and then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
1. Disconnect the negative(-)end of the jumper cable from the engine ground of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper cable from the negative(-)
post of the booster battery.
Positive Battery Post
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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
• The manufacturer requires towing your vehicle with all four wheelsOFFthe ground
using a flatbed.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle using any other method could result in extensive damage to the
transfer case and/or transmission.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by a
rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE/1st gear and REVERSE.
Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without
spinning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control or Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
turn the system OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating
and failure. 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 overheat-
ing and reduce the risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free
a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between DRIVE/1st gear and
REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds
may cause damage, or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping when you are stuck
and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
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