STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and
fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
• 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.
• Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
WARNING!
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gear se-
lector in NEUTRAL, and press the clutch
pedal before starting the vehicle. This vehicle
is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni-
tion system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Four-Wheel Drive Models Only
In 4L mode, this vehicle will start regardless
of whether or not the clutch pedal is pressed
to the floor. This feature enhances off-road
performance by allowing the vehicle to start
when in 4L without having to press the clutch
pedal. The “4WD Low Indicator Light” will
illuminate when the transfer case has been
shifted into this mode.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Start the vehicle with the gear selector in the
PARK position (vehicle can also be started in
NEUTRAL). 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 press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
Cycle the ignition switch to the START posi-
tion and release when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, cycle
the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Nor-
mal Starting” procedure.
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 your au-
thorized dealer) is recommended.
117
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
• Never pour fuel or other flammable liq-
uid into the throttle body air inlet open-
ing in an attempt to start the vehicle.
This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to push or tow your
vehicle to get it started. Vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can
be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting Procedure” in “In
Case Of Emergency” for further informa-
tion.Without Tip Start — Manual Transmission Only
If the engine fails to start after you have
followed the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme
Cold Weather” procedures, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in
case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
crank the engine for more than 15 seconds
at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before
trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to
run, but not have enough power to continue
running when the key is released. If this
occurs, continue cranking with the accelera-
tor pedal pushed all the way to the floor.
Release the accelerator pedal and the key
once the engine is running smoothly.If the engine shows no sign of starting after
two 15-second periods of cranking with the
accelerator pedal held to the floor, repeat the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold
Weather” procedures.
With Tip Start — Automatic Transmission Only
If the engine fails to start after you have
followed the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme
Cold Weather” procedures, it may be flooded.
To clear any excess fuel, push the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. Once this oc-
curs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait
10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait
10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
STARTING AND OPERATING
118
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically,
and it will decrease as the engine warms up.
Normal Starting — Diesel Engine
1. The gear selector must be in the NEU-
TRAL or PARK position before you can
start the engine.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. Watch for the “Wait To Start Light” in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further review. It will glow
for two to ten seconds or more, depending
on engine temperature. When the “Wait
To Start Light” goes out, the engine is
ready to start.
4. Tip Start Feature (Automatic Transmission
Only)
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the
ignition key to the START position and
then release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will automatically
disengage when the engine is running. If
the engine fails to start, the starter willdisengage automatically in 25 seconds.
If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, wait 25 to 30 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
NOTE:
The starter motor may run up to 30 sec-
onds in very cold conditions until the
engine is started. The starter can be dis-
engaged by turning the ignition key to
the OFF position, if required.
5. Without Tip Start Feature (Manual Trans-
mission Only)
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release when the engine
starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
6. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for
approximately 30 seconds before driving.
This allows oil to circulate and lubricate
the turbocharger.
Diesel 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.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), oper-
ate the engine at moderate speeds for five
minutes before full loads are applied.
Diesel Engine Idling — In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient tempera-
tures below 0°F (-18°C). Long periods of
idling may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures can drop
so low that the fuel may not burn completely.
Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector
119
• 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
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
WARNING!
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition
Park Interlock which requires the transmis-
sion to be in PARK before the ignition can be
turned to the LOCK/OFF (key removal) posi-
tion. The key can only be removed from the
ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF
position, and once removed the transmission
is locked in PARK.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap
the key in the ignition to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The engine can
be started and stopped but the key cannot be
removed until you obtain service.
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 position (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
Five-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission gear position display (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) indicates the
transmission gear range. You must press the
brake pedal to move the gear selector out of
PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift In-
terlock System” in this section). To drive,
move the gear selector from PARK or NEU-
TRAL to the DRIVE position.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).
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 has only
PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE
shift positions. Manual shifts can be made
using the Autostick shift control. Moving the
gear selector to the left or right (-/+) while in
the DRIVE position will manually select the
transmission gear and will display the current
127
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift
at too low of a vehicle speed.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick
is engaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more notice-
able when AutoStick is enabled.
NOTE:
When the transfer case is in the 4L (Low)
range, the transmission will shift automati-
cally (but no higher than the displayed gear).
To disengage AutoStick mode, hold the gear
selector to the right (+) until "D" is once again
displayed in the instrument cluster. You can
shift in or out of the AutoStick mode at any
time without taking your foot off the accelera-
tor 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 (COMMAND-
TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC)
WARNING!
Failure to engage a transfer case position
completely can cause transfer case dam-
age or loss of power and vehicle control.
You could have a collision. Do not drive the
vehicle unless the transfer case is fully
engaged.
Operating Instructions/Precautions
The transfer case provides four mode posi-
tions:
• 2H (Two-Wheel Drive High Range)
• 4H (Four-Wheel Drive High Range)
• N (Neutral)
• 4L (Four-Wheel Drive Low Range)The transfer case is intended to be driven in
the 2H position for normal street and highway
conditions, such as hard-surfaced roads.
In the event that additional traction is re-
quired, the transfer case 4H and 4L positions
can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together, forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slip-
pery road surfaces only and not intended for
normal driving. Driving in the 4H and 4L
Four-Wheel Drive Gear Selector
129
positions on hard-surfaced roads will cause
increased tire wear and damage to the drive-
line components. Refer to “Shifting Proce-
dures” in this section for further information
on shifting into 4H or 4L.
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the
instrument cluster) alerts the driver that the
vehicle is in four-wheel drive, and the front
and rear driveshafts are locked together. The
light will illuminate when the transfer case is
shifted into the 4H position.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to shift when only the front or
rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is
not equipped with a synchronizer, and the
front and rear driveshaft speeds must be
equal for a shift to take place. Shifting while
the front or rear wheels are spinning at differ-
ent speeds can cause damage to the transfer
case.When operating your vehicle in 4L, the en-
gine speed will be approximately three times
(four times for Rubicon models) that of the
2H or 4H positions at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine.
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles
depends on tires of equal size, type, and
circumference on each wheel. Any difference
will adversely affect shifting and cause dam-
age to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved
traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe
turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster
than road conditions permit.Shift Positions
For additional information on the appropriate
use of each 4WD system mode position, see
the information below:
2H Position
This range is used for normal street and
highway driving on hard-surfaced roads.
Four-Wheel Drive Shift Pattern
STARTING AND OPERATING
130