
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer
condition.
•Oversteer — when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer — when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” located
in the instrument cluster will start to flash as soon as the
ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when the TCS is
active. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to
adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.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.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly main-
tain your vehicle, may change the handling charac-
teristics of your vehicle, and may negatively affect
the performance of the ESC system. Changes to the
steering system, suspension, braking system, tire
type and size or wheel size may adversely affect ESC
performance. Improperly inflated and unevenly
worn tires may also degrade ESC performance. Any
(Continued)
172 SAFETY

Partial Off – Two Wheel Drive Vehicles And Four Wheel
Drive Vehicles In 2WD And 4WD High Range
The “Partial Off” mode is intended for driving in deep
snow, sand, or gravel. This mode raises the threshold for
TCS and ESC activation, which allows for more wheel spin
than what ESC normally allows.
To enter the “Partial Off” mode, momentarily push the
“ESC Off” button and the ESC Off indicator light will
illuminate. To turn the ESC on again, momentarily pushthe ESC OFF button and the ESC Off indicator light will
turn off. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of
operation.
NOTE:
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or when starting off in deep snow, sand,
or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by momentarily pushing the “ESC Off” button. Once
the situation requiring “Partial Off” mode is overcome,
turn ESC back on by momentarily pushing the “ESC Off”
button. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING!
• When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality
of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature described
in the TCS section), has been disabled and the “ESC
Off Indicator Light” will be illuminated. When in
“Partial Off” mode, the engine power reduction
feature of TCS is disabled, and the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by the ESC system is reduced.
• Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the ESC
system is in the “Partial Off” mode.
ESC OFF Button
174 SAFETY

Full Off – Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles In 4WD High And
4WD Low Range
The “Full Off” mode is intended for off-highway and
off-road use when ESC stability features could inhibit
vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions. The “ESC
Off” button is located in the lower switch bank above the
climate control panel. To enter “Full Off” mode, push and
hold the “ESC Off” button for five seconds while the
vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After five
seconds, the ESC Off indicator light will illuminate and an
“ESC Off” message will appear in the odometer.
In this mode, ESC and TCS are turned off (except for the
“limited slip” feature described in the TCS section) until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At speeds
over 40 mph (64 km/h), the system automatically switches
to “Partial Off” mode, described above. When the vehicle
speed returns to less than 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC
system will return to “Full Off” mode. The ESC OFF
indicator light is always illuminated when ESC is off. To
turn ESC on again, momentarily push the “ESC Off”
button. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of
operation.NOTE:
With the ESC switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESC is unavailable. In an emergency
evasive maneuver, the ESC system will not engage to assist
in maintaining stability. “Full Off” mode is only intended
for off-highway or off-road use.
NOTE:
• “Full Off” is the only operating mode for ESC in 4WD
LOW range. The ESC system will be in this mode
whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW range or
the power transfer unit is shifted into 4WD LOW range.
• The “ESC OFF” message will display and a chime will
sound when the gear selector is moved from any posi-
tion to the PARK position and then moved out of the
PARK position. This will occur even if the message was
cleared previously.
Selec-Terrain — If Equipped
On models equipped with Selec-Terrain, the activation of
some driving modes provide partial off or full off of some
active safety systems in order to optimize performance in
specific modes.
Partial or full off of the active safety systems will be
indicated by a light in the instrument cluster.
5
SAFETY 175

Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the speed
of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate of
change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle’s speed are
sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then applies the
appropriate brake and may also reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only
intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneu-
vers. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occur-
ring during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It cannot
prevent wheel lift due to other factors, such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway, or striking objects or other
vehicles.
NOTE:ERM is disabled anytime the ESC is in “Full Off”
mode. Refer to Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in this
section for a complete explanation of the available ESC
modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road conditions,
and driving conditions, influence the chance that
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
wheel lift or rollover may occur. Electronic Roll Miti-
gation (ERM) cannot prevent all wheel lift or rollovers,
especially those that involve leaving the roadway or
striking objects or other vehicles. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure
is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A
feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited Differential
(BLD), functions similar to a limited slip differential and
controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel
on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This
will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if TCS
and ESC are in the “Partial Off” mode or the “Full Off”
mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this
section for further information.
5
SAFETY 177

Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
The DST function uses the integration of the ESC system
with the electric power steering to increase the safety level
of the whole car. In critical situations (understeering,
oversteering, braking with different grip conditions),
through the DST function the ESC system controls the
steering to implement an additional torque contribution on
the steering wheel, to suggest the most correct maneuver to
the driver. The coordinated action of brakes and steering
increases the safety and car control feeling.
NOTE:The DST is a driving aid system and does not
replace the driver ’s actions while driving the car.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped
HDC is intended for low speed off road driving while in
4WD Low Range. HDC maintains vehicle speed while
descending hills during various driving situations. HDC
controls vehicle speed by actively controlling the brakes.
HDC has three states:
1. Off (feature is not enabled and will not activate).
Hill Descent Control (Trailhawk)
178 SAFETY

CAUTION!
•The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. The TPM sensor is not designed
for use on aftermarket wheels, and may contribute to
a poor overall system performance. Customers are
encouraged to use OEM wheels to assure TPMS
feature operation.
• Using aftermarket tire sealants may cause the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor to be-
come inoperable. After using an aftermarket tire
sealant it is recommended that you take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer to have your sensor function
checked.
• After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always
reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent mois-
ture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which
could damage the TPMS sensor. NOTE:
•
The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care and
maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire failure or
condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
• Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire pressure
gauge, even if underinflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the “Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light”.
• Seasonal temperature changes will affect TPMS informa-
tion on your instrument cluster.
5
SAFETY 197

Base System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the receiver module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the tire
pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly and to
maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
• Receiver Module.
• Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
illuminate in the instrument cluster, a “LOW TIRE
PRESSURE” message will display in the instrument cluster,
an Inflate to XX message will be displayed and a chime
will sound when tire pressure is low in one or more of the
four active road tires. Should this occur, you should stop as
soon as possible, check the inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle, and inflate each tire to the vehicle’s recom-
mended cold placard pressure value as shown in the
Inflate to XX
message. Once the system receives the
updated tire pressures, the system will automatically up-
date and the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
turn off.
NOTE: When filling warm tires, the tire pressure may need
to be increased up to an additional 4 psi (30 kPa) above the
recommended cold placard pressure in order to turn the
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light off. The vehicle may
need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above 15.5 mph
(25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this informa-
tion.
Service TPMS Warning
When a system fault is detected, the “Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Telltale Light” will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and then remain on solid. The system fault will also sound
a chime. If the ignition is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. The “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” will turn off when the fault
condition no longer exists. A system fault can occur due to
any of the following:
198 SAFETY

•Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the
TPMS sensors.
• Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting that
affects radio wave signals.
• Lots of snow or ice around the wheels or wheel hous-
ings.
• Using tire chains on the vehicle.
• Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
Vehicles With Compact Spare or non-Matching Full Size
Spare
1. The compact spare tire or non-matching full size spare tire does not have a tire pressure monitoring sensor.
Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor the pressure in the
spare tire.
2. If you install the compact or non-matching full size spare tire in place of a road tire that has a pressure below
the low-pressure warning limit, a chime will sound and
the “TPMS Telltale Light” and “LOW TIRE PRESSURE”
and Inflate to XX messages will turn on upon the next
ignition cycle. 3. After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above
15.5 mph (25 km/h), the “TPMS Telltale Light” will flash
on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
4. For each subsequent ignition cycle, a chime will sound and the “TPMS Telltale Light” will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare or
non-matching full size spare, the TPMS will update
automatically and the “TPMS Telltale Light” will turn
off, as long as no tire pressure is below the low-pressure
warning limit in any of the four active road tires. The
vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes
above 15.5 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to
receive this information.
Tire Pressure Monitor System Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the receiver module.
5
SAFETY 199