STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and
fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the ignition and lock
your vehicle. If equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go, always make sure the key-
less ignition node is in “OFF” mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle and
lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
WARNING!
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Start the engine with the gear selector in the
NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake
before shifting to any driving range.
Normal Starting — Gasoline Engine
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or push-
ing the accelerator pedal.
Place your foot on the brake and place the
ignition to the START mode and release when
the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds:
1. Place the ignition in the OFF mode.
2. Wait 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.NOTE:
Only press one pedal at a time while driving
the vehicle. Torque performance of the ve-
hicle could be reduced if both pedals are
pressed at the same time. If pressure is
detected on both pedals simultaneously, a
warning message will display in the instru-
ment cluster. For further information, refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel”.Tip Start Feature
Place the ignition in the START mode and
release it as the starter engages. The starter
motor will automatically disengage itself
once engine is running. If the engine fails to
start, the starter will disengage automatically
in 10 seconds. If this occurs:
1. Place the ignition in the OFF mode.
2. Wait 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
139
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or
−30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these tempera-
tures, use of an externally powered electric
engine block heater (available from an autho-
rized dealer) is recommended.
Normal Starting — Diesel Engine
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten
your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to
30-second intervals. Waiting a few minutes
between such intervals will protect the starter
from overheating.
WARNING!
• Before exiting a vehicle, always come to
a complete stop, then shift the auto-
matic transmission into PARK and apply
the parking brake.
• Always make sure the keyless ignition
node is in the OFF mode, key fob is
WARNING!
removed from the vehicle and vehicle is
locked.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A
child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.NOTE:
Engine start up in very low ambient tempera-
ture could result in evident white smoke. This
condition will disappear as the engine warms
up.
CAUTION!
The engine is allowed to crank as long as
30 seconds. If the engine fails to start
during this period, please wait at least two
minutes for the starter to cool before re-
peating start procedure.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as
the battery temperature decreases to 0°F
(-18°C). For the same decrease in tempera-
ture, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of
battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable bat-
tery blankets are available from your autho-
rized Mopar dealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING
140
Normal Starting Procedure — Keyless
Enter-N-Go
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights
when starting the engine.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while
pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button
once.
NOTE:
A delay of the start of up to five seconds is
possible under very cold conditions. The
“Wait to Start” telltale will be illuminated
during the pre-heat process, When the
engine Wait To Start light goes off the
engine will automatically crank.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” re-
mains on, DO NOT START the engine be-
CAUTION!
fore the water is drained from the fuel
filters to avoid engine damage.
3. The system will automatically engage the
starter to crank the engine. If the vehicle
fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically after 30 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the
engine prior to the engine starting, push
the button again.
5. Check that the oil pressure warning light
has turned off.
6. Release the parking brake.
Engine Warm Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine
is cold. When starting a cold engine, bring the
engine up to operating speed slowly to allow
the oil pressure to stabilize as the engine
warms up.NOTE:
High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine
can result in excessive white smoke and poor
engine performance. No-load engine speeds
should be kept under 1,200 RPM during the
warm-up period, especially in cold ambient
temperature conditions.
ENGINE BREAK-IN
RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the
engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle)
in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles
(100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or
90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration
within the limits of local traffic laws contrib-
utes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be detrimental
and should be avoided.
141
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Trans-
mission 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 ON/RUN mode (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift
from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRND) is dis-
played both beside the gear selector and in
the instrument cluster. To select a gear range,
press the lock button on the gear selector and
move the selector rearward or forward. You
must also press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK (or NEUTRAL,
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
speeds). Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.NOTE:
In the event of a mismatch between the gear
selector position and the actual transmission
gear (for example, driver selects REVERSE
while driving forward), the position indicator
will blink continuously until the selector is
returned to the proper position, or the re-
quested shift can be completed.
The electronically-controlled transmission
adapts its shift schedule based on driver
inputs, along with environmental and road
conditions. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts
on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt.
This is a normal condition, and precision
shifts will develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).
The nine-speed transmission has been devel-
oped to meet the needs of current and future
FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and calibration
is refined to optimize the customer’s driving
experience and fuel economy. By design,
some vehicle and driveline combinations uti-
lize 9th gear only in very specific driving
situations and conditions.Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE
when the accelerator pedal is released and
the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your
foot on the brake pedal when shifting be-
tween these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides
PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and
MANUAL (AutoStick) shift positions. Manual
shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift
control. Moving the gear selector into the
MANUAL (-/+) position (beside the DRIVE
position) activates AutoStick mode, provid-
ing manual shift control and displaying the
current gear in the instrument cluster (as 1,
2, 3, etc.). Toggling the gear selector forward
(-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL
position will manually select the transmis-
sion gear.
Refer to “AutoStick” in the Owner’s Manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING
148
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the
PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position
(when pushed forward) it is probably in the
MANUAL (AutoStick,(+/-)) position (beside
the DRIVE position). In MANUAL (AutoStick)
mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is
displayed in the instrument cluster. Move the
gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and
NEUTRAL.Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment
to allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important
when the engine is cold.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick
allows you to maximize engine braking, elimi-
nate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more
control during passing, city driving, cold slip-
pery 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 rearward. This allowsthe driver to manually select the transmission
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 (-), ex-
cept as described below.
• The transmission will automatically upshift
when necessary to prevent engine over-
speed.
• The transmission will automatically down-
shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine
lugging) and will display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically down-
shift to first or second gear (depending on
model) when coming to a stop. After a stop,
the driver should manually upshift (+) the
transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.
Gear Selector
149
• 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 notice-
able 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 ve-
hicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION
1-Speed Four-Wheel Drive (4X4) — If
Equipped
This feature provides on-demand four-wheel
drive (4X4). The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills re-
quired. Under normal driving conditions, the
front wheels provide most of the traction. If
the front wheels begin to lose traction, power
is shifted automatically to the rear wheels.
The greater the front wheel traction loss, the
greater the power transfer to the rear wheels.Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy
throttle input (where one may have no wheel
spin), torque will be sent to the rear in a
pre-emptive effort to improve vehicle launch
and performance characteristics.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and
type tires. Unequal tire sizes must not be
used. Unequal tire size may cause failure
of the power transfer unit.
1-Speed 4X4 SwitchSTARTING AND OPERATING
150
Shifting Out Of 4X4 LOW
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to
5 km/h), the ignition in the ON mode and the
engine running, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL, and push the “4WD LOW” button
once. The “4WD LOW” indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash and go out when
the shift is complete.
NOTE:
• If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a
message will flash from the instrument
cluster display with instructions on how to
complete the requested shift. Refer to “In-
strument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
• Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is possible
with the vehicle completely stopped; how-
ever, difficulty may occur due to the mating
clutch teeth not being properly aligned.
Several attempts may be required for
clutch teeth alignment and shift comple-
tion to occur. The preferred method is with
the vehicle rolling 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h).If the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h), the 4WD system will not allow the
shift.
NEUTRAL Shift Procedure
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if
you leave the vehicle unattended with the
power transfer unit in the NEUTRAL (N)
position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The NEUTRAL (N) position
disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow
the vehicle to roll, even if the automatic
transmission is in PARK (or manual trans-
mission is in gear). The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on
level ground and shift the automatic
transmission to PARK
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN mode,
but do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object,
push and hold the recessed power transfer
unit NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The
light behind the NEUTRAL (N) symbol
will blink, indicating shift in progress. The
light will stop blinking (stay on solid)
when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is
complete.
Neutral Switch
153
7. After the shift is completed and the NEU-
TRAL (N) light stays on, release the NEU-
TRAL (N) button.
8. Start the engine.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
11. Release the brake pedal (and clutch
pedal on manual transmissions) for five
seconds and ensure that there is no
vehicle movement.
12. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
13. Apply the parking brake.
14. Shift the automatic transmission into
PARK, or place manual transmission in
gear (NOT in Neutral). Turn the engine
OFF, and remove the key fob.
Repeat steps 1-7 to shift out of NEUTRAL.
Refer to "Recreational Towing" in "Starting
and Operating" for further instructions.Rear Electronic Locker (E-Locker) System
— If Equipped
The Rear E-Locker System features a me-
chanical locking rear differential to provide
better traction in the 4WD LOW position. The
“REAR LOCK” button is on the Selec-Terrain
Knob.
Activating The Rear E-Locker
To activate the Rear E-Locker System, the
following conditions must be met:
1. The 4WD system must be in 4WD LOW.
2. The ignition in the ON mode and the
engine running.
3. Vehicle speed must be below 15 MPH
(24 km/h).
4. To engage Rear E-Locker, push the REAR
LOCK button once.Deactivating The Rear E-Locker System
To deactivate the Rear E-Locker System, the
following conditions must be met:
1. Rear E-Locker must be engaged, and the
REAR LOCK indicator light on.
2. The ignition in the ON mode and the
engine running.
Rear Lock ButtonSTARTING AND OPERATING
154