Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light — If Equipped
The “ESC Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON/RUN position. It should go out when the engine is running. If the “ESC Indi-
cator Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in
the ESC system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
•
The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC Indicator Light” come on momentarily each
time the ignition switch is placed in the ON/RUN position.
• Each time the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position, the ESC system will be ON, even
if it was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the
sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused the ESC
activation.
NOTE: This telltale indicates that an ESC event is active.
206 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Blue Telltale Indicator Lights
High Beam Indicator Light
Blue TelltaleLight What It Means
High Beam Indicator Light
This indicator shows that the high beam headlights are on. Push the multifunction control lever
away from you to switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the lever toward you to switch the
headlights back to low beam. Pull the lever toward you for a temporary high beam on,
flash to
pass scenario.
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors the
performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic trans-
mission control systems. When these systems are operating
properly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well within
current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to assist
your service technician in making repairs. Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing, see
your authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions tests
can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
210 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system is
ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not ready
for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which you
can use prior to going to the test station. To check if your
vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen: •
The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then return
to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF the igni-
tion or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD II system is not readyand you should notproceed
to the I/M station.
• The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you place the ignition in the off posi-
tion or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD II system is readyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle
as you normally would in order for your OBD II system to
update. A recheck with the above test routine may then
indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
212 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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 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
ESC Full Off
This mode is entered by pushing and holding the ESC OFF
switch for five seconds.
In theESC Full Off mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are disabled. Therefore, 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. “ESC Full Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only. When in
ESC Full Off mode, 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
into ESC Partial Off. When the vehicle speed drops below
35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system goes back to ESC Full
Off. To turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF
switch. This will restore normal “ESC On” mode of opera-
tion. The ESC Off Indicator Light” will always be illumi-
nated when ESC is in ESC Partial OffandESC full Off.
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.
ESC OFF Switch
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SAFETY 221
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
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 Full Offswitch. Once the
situation requiring ESC to be switched to the ESC Partial
Off mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pushing the ESC Full Off switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
The ESC will restore to normal ESC On mode after each
key on.
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 Offmode. ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and ESC
OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
in the instrument cluster will come on when the
ignition is turned to the ON mode. It should go out
with the engine running. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” comes on continuously with the
engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC
system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles,
and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and
corrected.
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 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.
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SAFETY 223