REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the electric park brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while
towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control
(refer to “AutoStick” in this section for further information)
to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a
lower gear will improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating
limits, the transmission controller may modify the trans-
mission shift schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch engagement.
This is done to prevent transmission damage due to
overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the “Transmis-
sion Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and the
transmission may operate differently until the transmission
cools down.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be
modified depending on engine and transmission tempera-
ture as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm
up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter
clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are inhibited until the
transmission fluid is warm. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable
level.
AutoStick
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature pro-
viding manual shift control, giving you more control of the
vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking,eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city driv-
ing, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing and many other situations.
Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick position (beside
the DRIVE position), it can be moved forward and rear-
ward. This allows the driver to manually select the trans-
mission gear being used. Moving the gear selector forward
(-) triggers a downshift, and rearward (+) an upshift. The
current gear is displayed in the instrument cluster.
NOTE:
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the gear selector
rearward (+) or forward (-), except as described below.
• The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine overspeed.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first or
second gear (depending on model) when coming to a
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 269
stop. After a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+)
the transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out (from a stop) in first or second gear.
Starting out in second gear can be helpful in snow or icy
conditions. Tap the gear selector forward or rearward to
select the desired gear after the vehicle is brought to a
stop.
• If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
overspeed, that shift will not occur.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of
a vehicle speed.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is engaged
because the transmission will not shift automatically.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is enabled.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault
or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector to
the DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick
position at any time without taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip
and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is electronically monitored for ab-
normal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in fourth 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 trans-
mission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turnsOFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has diagnos-
tic equipment to determine if the problem could recur. If
the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
Ignition Park Interlock
Vehicles Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go:
This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park Interlock,
which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the
ignition can be turned to the OFF mode. Also, the trans-
mission is locked in PARK whenever the ignition is in the
OFF mode.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear
selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be in the RUN
mode (engine running or not) and the brake pedal must be
pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed before pushing the
button on the gear selector to shift from NEUTRAL into
DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or mov-
ing at low speeds.
POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in
tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide light
efforts while parking and good feel while driving. If the
electric steering system experiences a fault that reduces
assist or prevents the vehicle from providing assist, you
will still have the ability to steer the vehicle manually.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 271
Active Drive With Low Control — (Trailhawk Models
Only)
The 4WD LOW mode helps to improve the off-road
performance in all modes. To enable 4WD Low, please
follow the steps below:
Enabling 4WD LOW
With the vehicle stationary, the ignition in RUN mode or
with the engine running, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and push the button once 4WD LOW. The instru-
ment cluster will display the message4WD LOWonce
the shift is complete. NOTE:
•
Both LOCK and LOW LEDs will blink and then become
active on the Selec-Terrain switch until the shift is
complete.
• The instrument cluster display will illuminate the 4WD
Low icon.
Disabling 4WD LOW
To disable the 4WD LOW mode, the vehicle must be
stationary and the transmission shifted into NEUTRAL.
Push the 4WD LOW button once.
SELEC-TERRAIN
Selec-Terrain combines the capabilities of the vehicle con-
trol systems, along with driver input, to provide the best
performance for all terrains.Selec-Terrain Switch (Trailhawk)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 289
Mode Selection Guide
Rotate the Selec-Terrain knob to select the desired mode.•AUTO: This four-wheel drive operation is a continuous
operation, is fully automatic and can be used on and off
road. This mode balances traction to ensure maneuver-
ability and acceleration improvement compared to a
vehicle with two wheel drive. This mode also reduces
fuel consumption, since it allows the disconnect of the
drive shaft where conditions permit.
• SNOW: This mode allows you to have greater stability
under conditions of bad weather. It’s used on and off
road and on surfaces with poor traction, such as roads
covered with snow. When in SNOW mode (depending
on certain operating conditions), the transmission will
Selec-Terrain Switch
Selec-Terrain Switch (Trailhawk)
290 STARTING AND OPERATING
use second gear (rather than first gear) during launches,
to minimize wheel slippage, except for in 4–Low (Trail-
hawk models only).
• SAND: For off-road driving or use on surfaces with poor
traction, such as sandy bottoms. The transmission is set
to provide maximum traction. This mode allows more
wheel spin and higher shift points to help motor
through loose areas.
• MUD: For off-road driving or use on surfaces with poor
traction, such as roads covered by mud or wet grass.
• ROCK (Trailhawk only): This mode is only available in
4WD LOW range. The device sets the vehicle to maxi-
mize traction and allow the highest steering capacity for
off-road surfaces. This mode gives you the maximum
performance off-road. Use for low speed obstacles such
as large rocks, deep ruts, etc.
NOTE:
• Rock mode is only available on the vehicles equipped
with the Trailhawk package.
• Activate the Hill Descent Control or Selec Speed Control
for steep downhill control. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Safety” for further information.ADDING FUEL
The Capless Fuel System uses a flapper placed at the filler
pipe of the fuel tank; it opens and closes automatically
upon insertion/extraction of the fuel nozzle.
The Capless Fuel System is designed so that it prevents the
filling of an incorrect type of fuel.
Opening The Door
For filling proceed as follows:
• Open the door, by pushing and releasing on the inden-
tation point indicated by the arrow.
Fuel Filler Door
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STARTING AND OPERATING 291
Consider the following items when computing the weight
on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options must
be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to the “Tire And Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo for
your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are recommended:
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load
shifts can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
• When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or damage
to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, sus-
pension, chassis structure, or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on the
tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in
PARK. Always block or chockthe trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
300 STARTING AND OPERATING