conditions like deep sand, steep slopes, orpulling heavy objects. Additionally, thesystem is capable of recreational flattowing by putting the transfer case intoneutral (N). See Recreationally TowingYour Vehicle (page 485).
There is further information on driving inunique driving conditions. See Off-RoadDriving (page 466).
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Vehicles with a highercenter of gravity (utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles) handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,excessive speed and abrupt steering inthese vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslyincreases the risk of losing control of yourvehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheeldrive vehicle may accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always driveat a safe speed.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ fromsome other vehicles. Your vehicle could behigher to allow it to travel over roughterrain without getting stuck or damagingunderbody components. The differencesthat make your vehicle so versatile alsomake it handle differently than an ordinarypassenger car. Always maintain steeringwheel control, especially in rough terrain.Since sudden changes in terrain can resultin abrupt steering wheel motion, make sureyou grip the steering wheel from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes. Drivecautiously to avoid vehicle damage fromconcealed objects such as rocks andstumps. Drive slower in strong crosswindswhich can affect the normal steeringcharacteristics of your vehicle. Beextremely careful when driving onpavement made slippery by loose sand,water, gravel, snow or ice.
Note:Do not use four-wheel drive high orfour-wheel drive low mode on dry, hardsurfaced roads. Doing so can produceexcessive noise, increase tire wear and candamage drive components.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
LIMITATIONS
Operating Four-Wheel Drive witha Spare or Mismatched Tires (If
Equipped)
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size ofthe spare tire can affect the four-wheeldrive system. If there is a significantdifference between the size of the sparetire and the remaining tires, you could havelimited four-wheel drive functionality.When driving with the full-size dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly, werecommend that you do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with afour-wheel drive mode turned on.
•Turn on a four-wheel drive modeunless the vehicle is stationary.
•Use a four-wheel drive mode on drypavement.
Driving with the full-size dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly can limitfour-wheel drive functionality, especiallywhen driving in a mechanically lockedfour-wheel drive mode. You can experiencethe following:
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•Additional noise from the transfer caseor other drive components.
•Difficulty shifting out of a mechanicallylocked four-wheel drive mode.
Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly can lead to impairment of thefollowing:
•Comfort and noise.
•Winter weather driving capability.
•Wet driving capability.
•Four-wheel drive capability.
Mechanical Shift Blocking
On four-wheel drive vehicles with amechanically locked four-wheel drive highmode, the transfer case distributes torqueto the front wheels by mechanicallyinterlocking the front and rear driveshaftstogether. Various external factors canaffect shifting performance of this type ofsystem including, but not limited to:
•Vehicle acceleration.
•Dissimilar tire sizes.
•Steering input.
If the system detects a mechanical shiftblockage at speed after you selecttwo-wheel drive high, the message "4x4Unable to Disengage See Manual", coulddisplay momentarily. If this messagedisplays, one or more of the followingactions can relieve the mechanical shiftblock:
•Momentary acceleration.
•Momentary braking.
•Bringing the vehicle to a stop.
•Shifting the transmission to neutral andback to drive.
•Shifting the transmission to reverseand back to drive.
•Driving the vehicle around a tight turnat a slow speed.
SELECTING A FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE MODE - EXCLUDING:
RAPTOR
The four-wheel drive mode control is onthe instrument panel.
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ELECTRONIC LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL PRECAUTIONS
Operating the Electronic LockingDifferential with a Spare orMismatched Tires
On vehicles with an electronic lockingdifferential, the size of the spare tire canaffect performance of the system. If thereis a significant difference between the tworear tires, you may have limited electroniclocking differential functionality. If thesystem has difficulty disengaging, releasethe accelerator pedal and turn the steeringwheel in the opposite direction whenrolling. We recommend engaging anddisengaging the electronic lockingdifferential at a stop when you mount aspare on the rear axle.
SWITCHING THE ELECTRONIC
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ON
AND OFF - 4X4, EXCLUDING:
RAPTOR
The button to activate and deactivate theelectronic locking differential is in thecenter of the drive mode rotary switch.
To manually activate or deactivate theelectronic locking differential, press theelectronic locking differential button.
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HOW DOES STABILITY
CONTROL WORK
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarketroof racks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronicstability control system. In addition,installing any stereo speakers mayinterfere with and adversely affect theelectronic stability control system.Reducing the effectiveness of theelectronic stability control system couldlead to an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy thelaws of physics. It's always possible tolose control of a vehicle due toinappropriate driver input for theconditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to losecontrol of your vehicle increasing the riskof personal injury or property damage.Activation of the electronic stabilitycontrol system is an indication that atleast some of the tires have exceededtheir ability to grip the road; this couldreduce the operator's ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a lossof vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death.
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or traction control you mayexperience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control enhances yourvehicle’s ability to prevent skids or lateralslides by applying brakes to one or moreof the wheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
Roll stability control enhances yourvehicle’s ability to prevent rollovers bydetecting your vehicle’s roll motion andthe rate at which it changes by applyingthe brakes to one or more wheelsindividually.
Curve Control
Curve control enhances your vehicle’sability to follow the road when corneringseverely or avoiding objects in the roadway.Curve control operates by reducing enginepower and, if necessary, applying brakesto one or more of the wheels individually.
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WHAT IS TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE
Trailer hitching assistance helps the driveralign the vehicle hitch ball to a trailercoupler.
HOW DOES TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE WORK
Trailer hitching assistance uses thefollowing to detect your trailer:
•Rear view camera.
•Radar.
•Parking aid sensors.
•External rear lighting.
This feature also controls the following toalign the hitch ball with the trailer coupler:
•Steering.
•Shifting.
•Braking and acceleration.
Note:Blocked sensors could affect systemperformance. Do not cover the sensors withbumper stickers, tape, repair compound orother objects.
TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system is notdesigned to detect cyclists,motorcyclists, pedestrians or animals.Apply the brakes when necessary. Failureto follow this instruction could resultpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly during severe weatherconditions, for example snow, ice, heavyrain and spray. Always drive with duecare and attention. Failure to take caremay result in a crash.
Note:Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailersare not supported.
Note:Trailer hitching assistance only workswith conventional trailers, couplers andhitch balls.
Note:The hitch ball must be properlyinstalled on the vehicle for the system tofunction as intended. An improperlyinstalled hitch ball could result in damageto your vehicle or trailer.
Note:Certain aftermarket modificationssuch as oversized tires or lift kits could maketrailer hitching assistance fail or not workas intended.
Note:Keep the sensors and camera freefrom snow, ice and dirt.
Note:Clean the camera lens with a soft,lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
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LOCATING THE TIRE LABEL
You will find a Tire Labelcontaining tire inflation pressureby tire size and other importantinformation located on the B-Pillaror the edge of the driver's door.See Locating the SafetyCompliance CertificationLabels (page 405).
DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.The Quality grades can be foundwhere applicable on the tiresidewall between tread shoulderand maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that theUnited States Department ofTransportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.They do not apply to deep tread,winter-type snow tires,space-saver or temporary usespare tires, light truck or LT typetires, tires with nominal rimdiameters of 10 to 12 inches orlimited production tires as definedin Title 49 Code of FederalRegulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
U.S. Department ofTransportation Tire qualitygrades: The U.S. Department ofTransportation requires us to giveyou the following informationabout tire grades exactly as thegovernment has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is acomparative rating based on thewear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on aspecified government test course.For example, a tire graded 150would wear 1½ times as well onthe government course as a tiregraded 100. The relativeperformance of tires dependsupon the actual conditions of theiruse, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due tovariations in driving habits, servicepractices, and differences in roadcharacteristics and climate.
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Information on P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of
a tire size, load index and speedrating. The definitions of theseitems are listed below. (Note thatthe tire size, load index and speedrating for your vehicle may bedifferent from this example.)
A.P: Indicates a tire, designatedby the Tire and Rim Association,that may be used for service oncars, sport utility vehicles,minivans and light trucks.Note: Ifyour tire size does not begin witha letter this may mean it isdesignated by either the EuropeanTire and Rim TechnicalOrganization or the Japan TireManufacturing Association.
B.215: Indicates the nominalwidth of the tire in millimetersfrom sidewall edge to sidewalledge. In general, the larger thenumber, the wider the tire.
C.65: Indicates the aspect ratiowhich gives the tire's ratio ofheight to width.
D.R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E.15: Indicates the wheel or rimdiameter in inches. If you changeyour wheel size, you will have topurchase new tires to match thenew wheel diameter.
F.95: Indicates the tire's loadindex. It is an index that relates tohow much weight a tire can carry.You may find this information inyour owner’s manual. If not,contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find thisinformation on all tires because itis not required by federal law.
G.H: Indicates the tire's speedrating. The speed rating denotesthe speed at which a tire isdesigned to be driven for extendedperiods of time under a standardcondition of load and inflationpressure. The tires on your vehiclemay operate at differentconditions for load and inflationpressure. These speed ratings mayneed to be adjusted for thedifference in conditions. Theratings range from 81 mph(130 km/h) to 186 mph
(299 km/h). These ratings arelisted in the following chart.
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Note:You may not find thisinformation on all tires because itis not required by federal law.
Speed ratingLetterrating
81 mph (130 km/h)M
87 mph (140 km/h)N
99 mph (159 km/h)Q
106 mph (171 km/h)R
112 mph (180 km/h)S
118 mph (190 km/h)T
124 mph (200 km/h)U
130 mph (210 km/h)H
149 mph (240 km/h)V
168 mph (270 km/h)W
186 mph (299 km/h)Y
Note:For tires with a maximum
speed capability over 149 mph
(240 km/h), tire manufacturers
sometimes use the letters ZR. For
those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299
km/h), tire manufacturers always
use the letters ZR.
H.U.S. DOT Tire IdentificationNumber (TIN): This begins withthe letters DOT and indicates thatthe tire meets all federalstandards. The next two numbersor letters are the plant code
designating where it wasmanufactured, the next two are
the tire size code and the last fournumbers represent the week andyear the tire was built. Forexample, the numbers 317 meanthe 31st week of 1997. After 2000,the numbers go to four digits. Forexample, 2501 means the 25thweek of 2001. The numbers inbetween are identification codesused for traceability. Thisinformation is used to contactcustomers if a tire defect requiresa recall.
I.M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or
AT: All Terrain, or
AS: All Season.
J.Tire Ply Composition andMaterial Used: Indicates thenumber of plies or the number oflayers of rubber-coated fabric inthe tire tread and sidewall. Tiremanufacturers also must indicatethe ply materials in the tire and thesidewall, which include steel,nylon, polyester, and others.
K.Maximum Load: Indicates themaximum load in kilograms andpounds that can be carried by thetire. See the Safety ComplianceCertification Label (affixed toeither the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post,next to the driver's seatingposition), for the correct tirepressure for your vehicle.
L.Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades:
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