
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, 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 main-
tain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low
tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunc-
tion indicator to indicate when the system is not operating
properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects
a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one
minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able todetect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels
on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle, to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original equip-
ment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and warning
have been established for the tire size equipped on
your vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement equip-
ment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style.
Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Using
aftermarket tire sealants may cause the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor to become inoper-
able. After using an aftermarket tire sealant it is
recommended that you take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer to have your sensor function checked.
4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light
This light indicates when the rear axle lock has been activated.
4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed.
4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207

SAFETY FEATURES
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most brak-
ing conditions. The system automatically prevents wheel
lock, and enhances vehicle control during braking.
The ABS performs a self-check cycle to ensure that the ABS
is working properly each time the vehicle is started and
driven. During this self-check, you may hear a slight
clicking sound as well as some related motor noises.
ABS is activated during braking when the system detects one
or more wheels begin to lock. Road conditions such as ice,
snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris, or panic
stops may increase the likelihood of ABS activation(s).
You also may experience the following when ABS activates:
•The ABS motor noise (it may continue to run for a short
time after the stop).
• The clicking sound of solenoid valves.
• Brake pedal pulsations.
• A slight drop of the brake pedal at the end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
•The ABS contains sophisticated electronic equipment
that may be susceptible to interference caused by
improperly installed or high output radio transmitting
equipment. This interference can cause possible loss of
anti-lock braking capability. Installation of such equip-
ment should be performed by qualified professionals.
•Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to a collision. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
(Continued)
214 SAFETY

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
This function manages the distribution of the braking
torque between the front and rear axles by limiting braking
pressure to the rear axle. This is done to prevent overslip of
the rear wheels to avoid vehicle instability, and to prevent
the rear axle from entering ABS before the front axle.
Brake System Warning Light
The red “Brake System Warning Light” will turn on when
the ignition is turned to the ON/RUN mode and may stay
on for as long as four seconds.
If the “Brake System Warning Light” remains on or comes
on while driving, it indicates that the brake system is not
functioning properly and that immediate service is re-
quired. If the “Brake System Warning Light” does not come
on when the ignition is turned to the ON/RUN mode, have
the light repaired as soon as possible.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The sys-
tem detects an emergency braking situation by sensing the
rate and amount of brake application and then applies
optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce
braking distances. The BAS complements the anti-lockbrake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very quickly
results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of
the system, you must apply continuous braking pressure
during the stopping sequence, (do not “pump” the brakes).
Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no
longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capa-
bilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to mitigate roll back from a
complete stop while on an incline. If the driver releases the
brake while stopped on an incline, HSA will continue to
hold the brake pressure for a short period. If the driver
216 SAFETY

For vehicles not equipped with an instrument cluster
display, perform the following steps:
1. Center the steering wheel (front wheels pointingstraight forward).
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Start the engine.
5. Rotate the steering wheel slightly more than one-half turn to the left.
6. Push the “ESC Off” button located in the lower switch bank below the climate control four times within 20
seconds. The “ESC Off Indicator Light” should turn on
and turn off two times.
7. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an additional slightly more than one-half turn to the right.
8. Turn the ignition to the OFF mode and then back to ON. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESC Off
Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm HSA
is disabled.
9. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS may
apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduce engine power to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS, 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. BLD may remain enabled even if TCS
and ESC are in a reduced mode.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESC
corrects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteract-
ing the over/under steer condition. Engine power may also
be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path.
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
218 SAFETY

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” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster), starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during accel-
eration, 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, including
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also
cannot prevent accidents resulting from loss of vehicle
control due to inappropriate driver input for the con-
ditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
•Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly maintain
your vehicle, may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle, and may negatively affect the perfor-
mance 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 vehicle modification or
poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the effective-
ness of the ESC system can increase the risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
5
SAFETY 219

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 pushing the ESC
OFF switch. When inESC Partial Offmode, the TCS
portion 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.
This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than
ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch.
This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation. NOTE:
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the ESC Partial Off
mode by pushing the ESC OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESC to be switched to the ESC Partial Offmode
is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pushing the
ESC OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING!
• When in ESC Partial Off mode, the TCS function-
ality 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 ESC Partial Off mode, the engine power
reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC system is
reduced.
• Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the ESC
system is in the ESC Partial Off mode.
220 SAFETY

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 approximate speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).
For speeds at or exceeding approximately 40 mph (64 km/h)
the ESC goes intoESC Partial OffWhen 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 Offat 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 illuminated in 4L range when
ESC is in ESC Full Off orESC Partial Off.
NOTE:The “ESC OFF” message will display and an audible
chime will sound when the gear selector is placed in the
PARK position from any other position, 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 Offmode, the engine
torque reduction and stability features offered by ESC
and ERM are disabled. In an emergency evasive ma-
neuver, 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.
2H Range (4WD Models) Or 2WD Models
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2H range and
on 2WD vehicles.
ESC Partial Off
When in ESC Partial Off mode, the TCS portion 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.
This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep
snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than
ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch.
This will restore the normal ESC Onmode of operation.
222 SAFETY