• This light only shows that the parking brake
is applied. It does not show the degree of
brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn
the front wheels toward the curb on a down-
hill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. For vehicles equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, apply the parking brake
before placing the gear selector in PARK,
otherwise the load on the transmission lock-
ing mechanism may make it difficult to move
the gear selector out of PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position on an au-
tomatic transmission as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when parked to guard
WARNING!
against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
• When exiting the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the ignition and lock
your 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. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disen-
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
lead to brake failure and a collision.
WARNING!
• Always fully apply the parking brake
when leaving your vehicle or it may roll
and cause damage or injury. Also, be
certain to leave an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK, a manual transmission in
REVERSE or first gear. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on
with the parking brake released, a brake
system malfunction is indicated. Have the
brake system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately.
STARTING AND OPERATING
122
MANUAL TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without having the
parking brake fully applied. The parking
brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an
incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, or attempt to hold the ve-
hicle on a hill with the clutch pedal par-
CAUTION!
tially engaged, as this will cause abnormal
wear on the clutch.
NOTE:
During cold weather, you may experience
increased effort in shifting until the transmis-
sion fluid warms up. This is normal.
Shifting
Fully press the clutch pedal before shifting
gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly
press the accelerator pedal.
You should always use first gear when starting
from a standing position.
NOTE:
A certain amount of noise from the transmis-
sion is normal. This noise can be most notice-
able when the vehicle is idling in NEUTRAL
with the clutch engaged (clutch pedal re-
leased), but it may also be heard when driv-
ing. The noise may also be more noticeable
when the transmission is warm. This noise is
normal and is not an indication of a problem
with your clutch or transmission.
Shift Pattern
123
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not ob-
served:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when exiting the
vehicle to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before exiting the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle.
As with all vehicles, you should never
WARNING!
exit a vehicle while the engine is run-
ning. Before exiting a vehicle always
come to a complete stop, then apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission
into PARK, turn the engine OFF, and
remove the ignition key. Once the key is
removed, the transmission is locked in
PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
• When exiting the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key 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 transmission
gear selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near
the vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children). A child could operate power
STARTING AND OPERATING
126
4H Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts
together, forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This range (4H)
provides additional traction for loose, slip-
pery road surfaces and should not be used on
dry pavement.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the
instrument cluster) will illuminate when the
transfer case is shifted into the 4H position.
N (Neutral) Position
This range disengages the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. It is to be
used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if
you leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the NEUTRAL (N) position
without first fully engaging the parking
brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear
WARNING!
driveshafts from the powertrain, and will
allow the vehicle to roll, even if the auto-
matic transmission is in PARK (or manual
transmission is in gear). The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle.
4L Position
This range locks the front and rear driveshafts
together, forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This range (4L)
provides additional traction and maximum
pulling power for loose, slippery road sur-
faces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
CAUTION!
Exceeding 25 mph (40 km/h) while the
transfer case is engaged in 4L may result
in an engine overspeed condition and en-
gine damage.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the
instrument cluster) will illuminate when the
transfer case is shifted into the 4L position.NOTE:
When in 4L, the “ESC Off Indicator Light”
will display in the instrument cluster.
Shifting Procedures
2H to 4H or 4H to 2H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made
with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With
the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will
engage/disengage faster if you momentarily
release the accelerator pedal after complet-
ing the shift. Apply a constant force when
shifting the transfer case lever.
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h), shift an automatic transmission into
NEUTRAL (N), or press the clutch pedal on a
manual transmission. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the
transfer case lever firmly to the desired posi-
tion. Do not pause with the transfer case in N
(Neutral). Once the shift is completed, place
the automatic transmission into DRIVE or
release the clutch pedal on a manual trans-
mission.
131
CAUTION!
• Automatic transmissions must be
placed in PARK for recreational towing.
• Manual transmissions must be placed in
gear (not in Neutral) for recreational
towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the
procedure outlined under “Shifting Into
NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the
transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N).
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case dam-
age. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on
tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper
face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if
you leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the NEUTRAL (N) position
without first fully engaging the parking
brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain, and will
allow the vehicle to roll, even if the auto-
matic transmission is in PARK (or manual
transmission is in gear). The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL (N) before recreational towing
to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on
level ground.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.3. Shift the automatic transmission into
NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on
a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEU-
TRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal
on manual transmissions) for five seconds
and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
9. Repeat steps seven and eight with auto-
matic transmission in DRIVE or manual
transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF and leave the igni-
tion in the unlocked ACC position.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or
place manual transmission in gear (NOT
in NEUTRAL).
143
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the transmission is shifted into PARK with
the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) and the
engine running. With the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine is
OFF before shifting the transmission into
PARK.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle
using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable,
and secure it away from the negative
battery post.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop,
leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
5. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position,
but do not start the engine.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.8. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired
position.
NOTE:
When shifting the transfer case out of
NEUTRAL (N), the engine should remain
OFF to avoid gear clash.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into
PARK, or place manual transmission in
NEUTRAL.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
15. Shift the transmission into gear, release
the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on
manual transmissions), and check that
the vehicle operates normally.
STARTING AND OPERATING
144
JACKING AND TIRE
CHANGING
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid
the danger of being hit when operating
the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dan-
gerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be
crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take
it to a service center where it can be
raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the
vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool
for changing tires only. The jack should
not be used to lift the vehicle for service
purposes. The vehicle should be jacked
on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Jack/Spare Tire Stowage
The jack and lug wrench are located in the
rear storage compartment.
NOTE:
Turn the black plastic wing nut counterclock-
wise to loosen the jack from the storage bin.Spare Tire Removal
To remove the spare tire from the carrier,
remove the tire cover, if equipped, and re-
move the lug nuts with the lug wrench, turn-
ing them counterclockwise.
NOTE:
If you have added aftermarket accessories to
the spare tire mounted carrier, it cannot ex-
ceed a gross weight of 85 lbs (38.5 kg)
including the weight of the spare tire.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side
of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull
far enough off the road to avoid being hit
when operating the jack or changing the
wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Plastic Wing Nut Location
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
154
4. Shift the automatic transmission into
PARK, or a manual transmission into
REVERSE.
5. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite of the jacking posi-
tion. For example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear wheel.
NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warn-
ings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as
far from the edge of the roadway as
possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an
automatic transmission in PARK; a
manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Never start or run the engine with the
vehicle on a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when
it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is
on a jack. If you need to get under a
raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
• Only use the jack in the positions indi-
cated and for lifting this vehicle during a
tire change.
WARNING!
• If working on or near a roadway, be
extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or in-
flated, are securely stowed, spares must
be stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
Wheel BlockedWarning Label
155