GMC Yukon 1999 User Manual

The 1999 GMC Yukon and Suburban Owner’s Manual

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1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems

This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.

2-1 Features and Controls

This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.

4-1 Your Driving and the Road

Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.

5-1 Problems on the Road

This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.

6-1 Service and Appearance Care

Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.

7-1 Maintenance Schedule

This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.

8-1 Customer Assistance Information

This section tells you how to contact GMC for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8

9-1 Index

Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

-10.

i

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, GMC,
the GMC Emblem and the name YUKON and the name
SUBURBAN are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
in the product after that time without further notice.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for GMC
whenever it appears in this manual.

Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.

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We support voluntary
technician certification.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:

Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous

procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:

DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9

E

Litho in U.S.A.
X9909 B First Edition All Rights Reserved

Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998

ii

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How to Use this Manual

Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.

Index

A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.

Safety Warnings and Symbols

You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.

CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.

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You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.

In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or
in different words.

You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

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Vehicle Symbols

These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

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For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:

CAUTION

POSSIBLE

INJURY

PROTECT

EYES BY

SHIELDING

CAUSTIC
BATTERY

ACID COULD

CAUSE

BURNS

AVOID

SPARKS OR

FLAMES

SPARK OR

FLAME

COULD

EXPLODE

BATTERY

These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:

DOOR LOCK

UNLOCK

FASTEN

SEAT

BELTS

POWER

WINDOW

AIR BAG

These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:

MASTER

LIGHTING

SWITCH

TURN

SIGNALS

PARKING

LAMPS

HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER

DAYTIME

RUNNING

LAMPS

FOG LAMPS

These symbols
are on some of
your controls:

WINDSHIELD

WIPER

WINDSHIELD

WASHER

WINDSHIELD

DEFROSTER

REAR

WINDOW

DEFOGGER

VENTILATING

FAN

These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:

ENGINE

COOLANT

TEMP

BATTERY

CHARGING

SYSTEM

BRAKE

COOLANT

ENGINE OIL

PRESSURE

ANTI-LOCK

BRAKES

Here are some
other symbols
you may see:

FUSE

LIGHTER

HORN

SPEAKER

FUEL

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Model Reference

This manual covers these models:

4-Door Utility Suburban

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vi

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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.

1

-2 Seats and Seat Controls

1

-14 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

-19 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About

1

Safety Belts

-20 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

1
1

-20 Driver Position

1

-28 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

-29 Right Front Passenger Position

1
1

-29 Air Bag System

-36 Center Passenger Position

1

-- and the Answers

-38 Rear Seat Passengers

1
1

-41 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

and Small Adults

1-43 Children

-46 Child Restraints

1
1

-60 Larger Children

1

-63 Safety Belt Extender

-63 Checking Your Restraint Systems

1
1

-63 Replacing Restraint System Parts After

a Crash

1-

1-1

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Seats and Seat Controls

This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust
them and fold them up and down. It also tells you about
reclining front seatbacks and head restraints.

Manual Front Seat

CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.

If your vehicle has a manual
bucket, split bench or full
bench seat, you can adjust it
with this lever at the front
of the seat.

Slide the lever at the front of the seat toward the
passenger’s side to unlock it. Using your body, slide the
seat to where you want it. Then, release the lever and try
to move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

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Power Seat(s) (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has a power seat on the driver’s or
passenger’s side, you can adjust it with these controls at
the outside edge of the seat. The switch is located on the
side of the seat, next to the door.

You can use the round center knob to move the seat to
where you want it. T o raise the seat, move the knob up.
T o lower the seat, move the knob down. To move the
seat forward, move the knob toward the front of the
vehicle. T o move the seat rearward, move the knob
toward the rear of the vehicle.

You can also raise and lower the front and rear of the seat.
To raise the front of the seat, move the front lever up. To
lower the front of the seat, move the front lever down. To

raise the rear of the seat, move the rear lever up. To lower
the rear of the seat, move the rear lever down.

The switch located at the front of this control panel
is for the power lumbar adjustment, which is
explained next.

Power Lumbar Adjustment (If Equipped)

If you have power lumbar
adjustment, you can
increase or decrease lumbar
support in an area of the
lower seatback.

T o increase support, press and hold the front of the
rocker switch. Let go of the switch when the lower
seatback reaches the desired level of support.

T o decrease support, press and hold the rear of the
rocker switch. Let go of the switch when the lower
seatback reaches the desired level of support.

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Heated Front Seats (If Equipped)

The control for the driver’s side heated seat is located on
the left side of the seat. The control for the right front
passenger is located on the right side of the passenger’s
seat. Move the switch forward to MED or HIGH
temperature to turn on the heating elements in the seat.
The right front passenger’s safety belt must be buckled
before the heating elements in that seat will operate.
T o turn the heated seats off, move the switch rearward
to OFF.

Reclining Front Seatbacks

T o adjust the seatback, move the lever rearward.
Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it.

Move the lever again rearward and the seatback will go
to an upright position.

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But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.

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CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be in
front of you. In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.

The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.

For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.

1-5

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Head Restraints

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

Seatback Latches (2-Door Utility)

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

The front seatback folds forward to let you access the
rear of the vehicle.

T o fold a seatback forward,
pull this lever forward and
tilt the seatback forward.

T o return the seatback to the upright position, just push
the seatback rearward until it latches.

After returning the seatback to its upright position, pull
the seatback forward to make sure it is locked.

1-6

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Easy Entry Seat (2-Door Utility)

CAUTION:

If any easy entry seat isn’t locked, it can move. In
a sudden stop or crash, the person sitting there
could be injured. And, even if there is no crash or
sudden stop, a driver sitting in an unlocked easy
entry seat could be startled by the sudden
movement and hit the wrong control or pedal,
causing an accident. After you’ve used it, be sure
to push rearward on any easy entry seat to be
sure it is locked.

The driver and passenger front bucket seat and the 60/40
split bench seat of your vehicle have an easy entry
feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the
rear seat. On vehicles equipped with the power driver’s
seat, only the passenger’s front seat will have the easy
entry feature.

T o operate the seat, pull
forward on the top of the
lever located at the side of
the seatback, and tilt the
seatback forward toward
the front of the vehicle.

When you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull or
push the seat forward until it stops.

T o return the seat to its regular position, return the
seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat
rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to its regular position, try to
move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

1-7

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Rear Seats

CAUTION:

If a head restraint is not installed on the seatback
or stored in the vehicle properly, it could be
thrown about the vehicle in a crash or sudden
maneuver. People in the vehicle could be injured.
Remove the head restraints only when you need
to fold the seat, and be sure that the head
restraints are stored securely in the storage bag
and placed under the rear seat. When the seat is
returned to the passenger position, be sure the
head restraints are installed properly.

Folding the Rear Seat (2-Door Models)

If your vehicle has a rear seat, the seat can be folded flat
for more cargo space. Before folding, make sure that
nothing is under or in front of the seat. When the seat is
folded, it will lay almost flat on the floor.

When folding the seat, first
remove the head restraints.
Push the button at the top of
the seatback and slide the
head restraint out of the
height

-adjust tubes.

Detach the storage bag from the back of the rear seat.
Then, put the head restraints in the storage bag and place
the bag in the rear seat footwell, under the seat.

1-8

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T o fold the seat, pull on the release handle at the bottom
of the seat cushion marked RELEASE.

When you release the seat cushion, the seatback is
automatically released. Pull the loop on the seatback
forward and fold the seatback onto the seat cushion.

T o return the seat to the passenger position, just lift up
on the seatback and push it rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to the passenger position, pull
forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into
place. Also, return the safety belts and head restraints to
their original positions, so they will be available for rear
seat passengers to use.

1-9

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Folding Rear Seats (4-Door Models)

The rear seat of the 4
a Suburban may have a 60/40 seat, either side may be
folded down to give you more cargo space.

Before folding, place the latch portion of the center
safety belt in the center armrest. That way, the center
safety belt will be out of the way when the seat is folded
and also will be easily available for passengers to use
when the seat is returned to the passenger position. Also,
make sure that nothing is under or in front of the seat.
When the seat is folded, it will lay flat on the floor.

Set the head restraints aside for now. You will store
them in their proper position after you are done folding
the seat.

-Door Utility or the second seat of

When folding the seat,
first remove the head
restraints. Push the release
buttons at the bottom of
each head restraint
height

-adjust post and slide

the head restraint out of the
height-adjust tubes.

T o fold the seat, pull up on
the strap loop at the rear of
the outer edge of the seat
cushion. Then, pull the
seat cushion up and fold
it forward.

After folding the seat cushion fully forward, pull the
seatback forward and fold the seatback down until it
is flat.

Then, store the head
restraints by sliding them
into the rear of the seat
cushion. Make sure the
posts go in all the way.

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On Suburban models, to
create a load floor, release
the panels from the seatback
by pushing rearward on the
latch and fold them out to
cover the rear seat footwell.

T o return the seat to the passenger position on a
Suburban, lift the load floor panels and latch them into
the seatback. On both models, remove the head
restraints by sliding them out of the seat cushion. Lift
the seatback up and push rearward all the way. Then,
lower the seat cushion until it latches in position.

After returning the seat to the passenger position, return
the head restraints to the top of the seatback. Pull
forward on the seatback and up on the seat cushion to
make sure that the seat is securely in place.

If the latch plate portion of the center safety belt was put
in the center armrest when the seat was folded, take the
latch plate portion out and place it on the seat. That way,
the center position safety belt will be available for the
center rear seat passenger to use.

Entry to the Rear Seat (Suburban Second Seat)

The right side of the rear 60/40 split folding bench seat
has an easy entry feature. That makes it easy to get in
and out of the third seat, if you have one.

T o operate the seat, move the lever at the side of the
seat down.

Tilt the seatback toward the front of the vehicle by
pulling the top of the seatback forward.

When you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull the
seat forward until it stops.

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There is a foot-operated
release lever for rear seat
passengers to use when
getting out of the third seat.

T o release the easy entry second seat, lift up on the
top of the release lever with your foot. Push the top
of the seatback forward and tilt it toward the front of
the vehicle.

T o return the seat to its regular position, return the
seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat
rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to its regular position, try to
move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

Removing the Rear (Suburban Third Seat)

If your vehicle has a third seat, it can be taken out for
more cargo space.

Before removing the seat, unlatch the outside passenger
position safety belts from the seat frame.

T o unlatch the safety belt,
press the tip of a key into
the release hole of the
safety belt attachment
while pulling up on the
safety belt.

1-12

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Then, hang the latch plate
end of the belt on the hook
at the top of the retractor
cover, out of the way.

T o remove the seat, fully open the rear load doors and
enter the back of the vehicle.

Move the seatback release
lever, at the right rear of the
seat, toward the center of
the vehicle.

T o unlatch the seat from the
floor, pull up on the center
release handle at the rear of
the seat and lift the rear seat
up, off of the floor.

Turn the seat sideways and take it out of the vehicle.

Replacing the Rear Seat

CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop. People
in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock
the seat into place properly when installing it.

Then, fold the seatback forward into the seat cushion.

1-13

CAUTION:

A safety belt that is twisted or not properly
attached won’t provide the protection needed in a
crash. The person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After installing the seat, always
check to be sure that the safety belts are not
twisted and are properly attached.

T o put the seat back in, hold the seat sideways and put it
into the vehicle. Turn the seat to the forward position
and set it down, with the latches at the bottom of the seat
over the hooks in the floor. Pull up on the center release
handle and let the seat drop into place. Release the
handle to let the seat latch close and make sure it locks
into place. Then, move the seatback release lever at the
right rear of the seat toward the center of the vehicle and
raise the seatback.

After returning the seatback to the upright position, push
the seatback forward to make sure it is locked into place.

Then, return the outside passenger position safety belts
to the seat frame buckles, so they will be available for
rear seat passengers to use.

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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.

And it explains the air bag system.

CAUTION:

Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.

1-14

CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.)

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In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away . Without belts they could have been badly hurt or
killed.

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

Why Safety Belts Work

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.

1-15

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T ake the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.

1-16

Put someone on it.

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Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
doesn’t stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

1-17

or the instrument panel ... or the safety belts!

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.

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1-18

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

Q:

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

-- and the Answers

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety

belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And your chance of
being conscious during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to

wear safety belts?

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in

most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.

-- not instead of them. Every air bag

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an

accident
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).

Safety belts are for everyone.

-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and

1-19

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Adults

This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about safety

belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller
children and babies. If a child will be riding in your
vehicle, see the part of this manual called “Children.”
Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.

First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.

1. Close and lock the door.

2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.

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3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.

1-21

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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you.

T o move it down, push in at the word PRESS and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move
the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt
guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it,
try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it
has locked into position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the
belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but not falling off
your shoulder.

1-22

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

1-23

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a
crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen.
The belt forces would be there, not at the
pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle
nearest you.

1-24

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes
over an armrest like this. The belt would be much
too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt.
The belt force would then be applied at the
abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could
cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt
goes under the armrests.

1-25

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your
body would move too far forward, which would
increase the chance of head and neck injury.
Also, the belt would apply too much force to the
ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones.
You could also severely injure internal organs
like your liver or spleen.

1-26

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In
a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the
belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted,
make it straight so it can work properly, or ask
your dealer to fix it.

1-27

T o unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
The belt should go back out of the way.

Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way . If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the
belt and your vehicle.

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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below
the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

1-28

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Right Front Passenger Position

To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt
properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt
you ever pull the lap portion of the belt out all the way,
you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If
this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and
start again.

-- except for one thing. If

Air Bag System

This part explains the air bag system.
Your vehicle has “Next Generation” frontal air

bags -- one air bag for the driver and another air bag
for the right front passenger.

Next Generation frontal air bags are designed to help
reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating
air bag. But even these air bags must inflate very
quickly if they are to do their job and comply with
federal regulations.

Here are the most important things to know about the air
bag system:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if
you aren’t wearing your safety belt
have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things
inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air
bags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety
belts. All air bags
bags

-- are designed to work with safety belts,

but don’t replace them. Air bags are designed to
work only in moderate to severe crashes where
the front of your vehicle hits something. They
aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear,
side or low
unrestrained occupants, Next Generation air
bags may provide less protection in frontal
crashes than more forceful air bags have
provided in the past. Everyone in your vehicle
should wear a safety belt properly
not there’s an air bag for that person.

-speed frontal crashes. And, for

-- even Next Generation air

-- even if you

-- whether or

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CAUTION:

Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. This is true
even with Next Generation frontal air bags.
Safety belts help keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear your safety belt,
even with Next Generation air bags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible while still
maintaining control of the vehicle.

CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This is true even though your vehicle
has Next Generation frontal air bags. Air bags
plus lap
for adults, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system
nor its air bag system is designed for them.
Young children and infants need the protection
that a child restraint system can provide. Always
secure children properly in your vehicle. To read
how, see the part of this manual called
“Children” and see the caution labels on the
sunvisors and the right front passenger’s
safety belt.

-shoulder belts offer the best protection

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There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.

The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.

How the Air Bag System Works

Where are the air bags?

The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.

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The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.

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CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.

When should an air bag inflate?

An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate only if
the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold
level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t
move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 16 mph
(14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however,
with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes
something that will move or deform, such as a parked car,
the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not
designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.

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In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near

-frontal impacts.

The air bag system is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road
Driving” in the Index for more tips on off

What makes an air bag inflate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.

How does an air bag restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper

-road driving.

body , stopping the occupant more gradually. But
air bags would not help you in many types of
collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion
is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety
belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near

-frontal collisions.

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s

-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the

bag
bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but
not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and
dust coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.

-- the

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CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.

D

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the
sensors are activated and driver’s safety belt usage
at deployment.

D

Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.

NOTICE:

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In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.

D

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

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If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.

If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts. If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately and
disconnecting the battery cables. Don’t let anyone start
the vehicle under any circumstances. See your dealer
for service.

-- or if water enters

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the GM service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. T o
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.

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CAUTION:

For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the

front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bags
from working properly?

A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is

attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic
structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the
air bags from working properly in a crash.

Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of the

vehicle that could keep the air bags from
working properly?

A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s

frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the air bag system from
working properly. Also, the air bag system may not
work properly if you relocate any of the air bag
sensors. If you have any questions about this, you
should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of
the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
See “Customer Satisfaction Procedure” in the Index.)

Center Passenger Position

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone
can sit in the center positions.

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When you sit in a center seating position, you have a lap
safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt
longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

T o make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until
the belt is snug.

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap
see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,

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Rear Seat Passengers

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.

Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The positions next to the windows have lap
belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

-shoulder

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When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it
will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and
start again.

If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

3. T o make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.

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Four-door utility models and the second seat of
Suburbans have shoulder belt height adjusters. Move the
shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right
for you.

T o move the height adjuster down, push in at the word
PRESS and move the height adjuster to the desired
position. You can move the adjuster up just by
pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you
move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move
it down without pushing in to make sure it has locked
into position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the
belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but not falling off
your shoulder.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

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T o unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults

Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides.
This feature will provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and for small
adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort
guide pulls the belt away from the neck and head.

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There is one guide for each outside passenger position in
the rear seat. T o provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and for
smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on
the shoulder belts. Here’s how to install a comfort guide
and use the safety belt:

1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of
the seatback.

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2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic
cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide
over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into
the slots of the guide.

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3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.
The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide
on top.

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions”
earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder
belt crosses the shoulder.

T o remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the
belt edges together so that you can take them out from
the guides. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

Make sure you remove the comfort guide from the belt
before you fold a rear seat down or use an easy
seat, if your vehicle has one.

-entry

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Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes
infants and all children smaller than adult size. Neither
the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler
changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints.
In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up to some age
must be restrained while in a vehicle.

Smaller Children and Babies

CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This is true even though your vehicle
has Next Generation frontal air bags. Air bags
plus lap
for adults, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system
nor its air bag system is designed for them.
Young children and infants need the protection
that a child restraint system can provide. Always
secure children properly in your vehicle.

-shoulder belts offer the best protection

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CAUTION:

Smaller children and babies should always be
restrained in a child or infant restraint. The
instructions for the restraint will say whether it is
the right type and size for your child. A very
young child’s hip bones are so small that a
regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it
should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the
child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force right on the child’s abdomen, which could
cause serious or fatal injuries. So, be sure that
any child small enough for one is always properly
restrained in a child or infant restraint.

Infants need complete support, including support for
the head and neck. This is necessary because an infant’s
neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared
with the rest of its body. In a frontal crash, an infant in a
rear

-facing restraint settles into the restraint, so the

crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part
of the infant’s body, the back and shoulders. A baby
should be secured in an appropriate infant restraint.
This is so important that many hospitals today won’t
release a newborn infant to its parents unless there is an
infant restraint available for the baby’s first trip in a
motor vehicle.

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CAUTION:

Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a
vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much
crash. During a crash a baby will become so
heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash

CAUTION: (Continued)

-- until a

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CAUTION: (Continued)

at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby
will suddenly become a 240
your arms. The baby would be almost impossible
to hold.

Secure the baby in an infant restraint.

-lb. (110 kg) force on

1-45

Child Restraints

Every time infants and young children ride in
vehicles, they should have protection provided by
appropriate restraints.

Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints are available in four basic

types. When selecting a child restraint, take into
consideration not only the child’s weight and size,
but also whether or not the restraint will be
compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will
be used.

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An infant car bed (A) is a special bed made for use
in a motor vehicle. It’s an infant restraint system
designed to restrain or position a child on a
continuous flat surface. With an infant car bed,
make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the
center of the vehicle.

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A rear-facing infant restraint (B) positions an infant
to face the rear of the vehicle. Rear
restraints are designed for infants of up to about
20 lbs. (9 kg) and about one year of age. This type
of restraint faces the rear so that the infant’s head,
neck and body can have the support they need in
a frontal crash. Some infant seats come in two
parts

-- the base stays secured in the vehicle

and the seat part is removable.

-facing infant

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A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a
child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These
forward
protect children who are from 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18 kg) and about 26 to 40 inches
(66 to 102 cm) in height, or up to around four
years of age. One type, a convertible restraint, is
designed to be used either as a rear
seat or a forward

-facing restraints are designed to help

-facing infant

-facing child seat.

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A booster seat (F, G) is designed for children
who are about 40 to 60 lbs., or even up to 80 lbs.
(18 to 27 kg, or even up to 36 kg), and about four
to eight years of age. A booster seat is designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.
Booster seats with shields use lap-only belts;
however, booster seats without shields use
lap-shoulder belts. Booster seats can also help a
child to see out the window.

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When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it
will have a label saying that it meets Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
The instructions that come with the infant or child
restraint will show you how to do that. Both the owner’s
manual and the child restraint instructions are important,
so if either one of these is not available, obtain a
replacement copy from the manufacturer.

Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at
General Motors therefore recommend that you put your
child restraint in a rear seat. Never put a rear
child restraint in the right front passenger seat.
Here’s why:

-facing

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates, even though your
vehicle has Next Generation frontal air bags. This
is because the back of the rear
restraint would be very close to the inflating air
bag. Always secure a rear
in a rear seat.

You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as it
will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.

Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle

-- even when no child is in it.

-facing child

-facing child restraint

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Top Strap

If your child restraint has a top strap, it should
be anchored.

Suburban models: If you need to have an anchor
bracket installed for a second row seat or a center rear
seat, you can ask your dealer to put it in for you. If you
want to install the anchor yourself, your dealer can tell
you how to do it.

Anchor brackets for the third row outside seat positions
are located on the floor in the cargo area.

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CAUTION:

Routing the top strap for a child restraint over or
under the cargo security shade could cause the
shade to come loose and even break. If this
happens, the shade could be thrown about the
vehicle in a collision or sudden maneuver. You or
others could be injured. When anchoring a top
strap to a cargo tiedown, be sure to remove the
cargo security shade from your vehicle. See

“Cargo Security Shade” in the Index.

Don’t use the front set of tie-down brackets. Anchor the
top strap to the rearmost bracket on the same side of the
vehicle as the child restraint.

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Utility models: Anchor brackets for the rear outside
seat positions are located on the floor in the cargo area.

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CAUTION:

Routing the top strap for a child restraint over or
under the cargo security shade could cause the
shade to come loose and even break. If this
happens, the shade could be thrown about the
vehicle in a collision or sudden maneuver. You or
others could be injured. When anchoring a top
strap to a cargo tiedown, be sure to remove the
cargo security shade from your vehicle. See
“Cargo Security Shade” in the Index.

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Don’t use the front set of tie-down brackets. Anchor the
top strap to the rearmost bracket on the same side of the
vehicle as the child restraint. If you need to have an
anchor bracket installed for the center rear seat, you can
ask your dealer to put it in for you. If you want to install
the anchor yourself, your dealer can tell you how to do it.

Canadian law requires that child restraints have a top
strap, and that the strap be anchored.

If your child restraint has a top strap, your dealer can
obtain a kit with anchor hardware and installation
instructions specifically designed for this vehicle. The
dealer can then install the anchor for you. This work will
be done for you free of charge. Or, you may install the
anchor yourself using the instructions provided in
the kit.

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.

5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If
you’re using a forward
find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the
child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

T o remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

-facing child restraint, you may

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position

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You’ll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the
instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the
child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

See the earlier part about the top strap if the child
restraint has one.

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1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. T o tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push
down on the child restraint. If you’re using a
forward
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.

-facing child restraint, you may find it

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6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

T o remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position

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Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never
put a rear

-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates, even though your
vehicle has Next Generation frontal air bags. This
is because the back of the rear
restraint would be very close to the inflating air
bag. Always secure a rear
in the rear seat.

-facing child

-facing child restraint

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward

You’ll be using the lap
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

-facing child restraint in the right front seat.

-shoulder belt. See the earlier part

bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward
(See “Seats” in the Index.)

portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

-facing child restraint.

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4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.

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6. T o tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it helpful to use your knee to push
down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

T o remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

Larger Children

Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.

If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

-shoulder belt and

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Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

D

Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.

D

Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.

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CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The

belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,

but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?

A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but

be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If
the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child’s face or neck, you might
want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt,
if your vehicle has one.

1-61

CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a

lap

-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind

the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.

Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.

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1-62

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Safety Belt Extender

If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.

But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. T o wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.

T orn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.

But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.

If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.

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✍

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NOTES

1-64

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Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly

-- and what to do if you have a problem.

2

-2 Keys

2

-3 Door Locks

-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)

2
2

-8 Your Doors and How They Work

-10 Theft

2
2

-11 Passlock

2-12 New Vehicle “Break-In”

-12 Ignition Positions

2
2

-13 Starting Your Gasoline Engine

-15 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

2
2

-16 Automatic Transmission Operation

2

-19 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

-25 Parking Brake

2
2

-26 Shifting Into Park (P)

-28 Shifting Out of Park (P)

2
2

-29 Parking Over Things That Burn

R

2-

2

-29 Engine Exhaust

2

-30 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked

-31 Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)

2
2

-31 Windows

-33 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)

2
2

-34 Multifunction Lever

2

-40 Exterior Lamps

-41 Interior Lamps

2
2

-43 Mirrors

-53 Storage Compartments

2
2

-62 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter

2

-64 Sun Visors

-64 Universal Transmitter (If Equipped)

2
2

-68 Instrument Panel

-70 Instrument Panel Cluster

2
2

-72 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-1

Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.

They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.

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2-2

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Your vehicle has one
double

-sided key for the

ignition and all door locks.

If you ever lose your key, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining a new one.

Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily

open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.

This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key.

2-3

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From the inside, to lock the
door, slide the lever on your
door down.

T o unlock the door, slide the
lever up.

Power Door Locks

Press the side of the power
door lock switch marked
LOCK on either front door
to lock all the doors at once.
Press the ribbed side of the
switch to unlock all the
doors at once.

On four
door works only that door’s lock. It won’t lock (or
unlock) all of the doors

-door models, the manual switch on each rear

-- that’s a safety feature.

2-4

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On the passenger side of the
rear cargo door or tailgate,
there is a power lock switch
which can be used to lock or
unlock all of the doors.

On vehicles with cargo doors, if the rear cargo lock
switch is pressed with the cargo doors open, all of the
doors will lock five seconds after the cargo doors are
closed. If the cargo doors are closed, the vehicle’s doors
will lock when a power door lock switch is pressed.

Child Security Locks (If Equipped)

With this feature, you can
lock the rear side doors so
they can’t be opened from
the inside by passengers.

Move the button up to engage the security feature.
Move the button down to return the door locks to
normal operation.

Leaving Your Vehicle

If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out, and
close the door.

2-5

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Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m)
away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied
with your vehicle.

Your interior lamps will be illuminated for a set period
of time when the transmitter signal is received by the
Keyless Entry System. In addition, your vehicle’s horn
will chirp if you press the LOCK button twice, to let you
know that the doors have locked.

Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.

-210 of Industry Canada.

Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.

This system has a range of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:

D

Check to determine if battery replacement or
transmitter resynchronization is necessary. See the
instructions that follow.

D

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

D

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. T ake a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

D

If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.

2-6

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Operation

T o unlock the driver’s door, press the UNLOCK button.
The interior lamps will come on for 40 seconds or until
the ignition is turned on. If you press this button again
within five seconds, all the remaining doors will unlock.

Press the LOCK button to lock all the doors. The interior
lamps will come on for two seconds as soon as all the
doors are closed. If you press the LOCK button twice the
horn will chirp to confirm that the doors are locked.

If you do not want the horn to chirp as a confirmation
that the doors have locked or unlocked, please consult
your dealer.

The rear cargo doors or tailgate glass will unlock
automatically when the REAR button on the transmitter
is pressed twice within three seconds. If your vehicle is
equipped with a rear liftglass, pressing the REAR button
twice within three seconds will release the liftglass, but
only if the transmission selector is in PARK (P). The
interior lamps will come on for 40 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on.

Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be

purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four transmitters
matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.

NOTICE:

When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage
the transmitter.

Use one three volt, type CR2032, or equivalent battery.

2-7

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T o replace the battery:

1. Insert a small coin, or flathead screwdriver, to
separate the bottom of the transmitter from the top.

2. Remove the battery and replace it with a new one,
making sure the positive (+) side of the battery is
facing down.

3. Snap the top and bottom together.

4. T est the operation of the transmitter with your
vehicle. If the transmitter does not work, try
synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver.

Resynchronization

Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by this system. The transmitter does not
send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal it has been sent previously.
This prevents anyone from recording and playing back
the signal from the transmitter.

T o resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and simultaneously press and hold the LOCK
and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter for at least five
seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your
dealer for service.

Your Doors and How They Work

Side Doors

T o open the door from the outside, pull the handle up
and pull the door open.

T o open the door from the inside, pull the lever toward
you and push the door open.

2-8

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate
glass, tailgate or rear doors open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.

If you must drive with the tailgate glass, tailgate
or rear doors open or if electrical wiring or other
cable connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the tailgate glass, tailgate
or rear doors:

D

Make sure all other windows are shut.

D

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.

D

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.

See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

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Tailgate Glass and Tailgate

If your vehicle has a tailgate, you must raise the rear
glass before lowering the tailgate.

T o open the glass from the outside, use your key. With
the key in the lock, turn the key clockwise to release the
glass, then lift it up.

T o release the glass from the inside, use the electric
tailgate glass release switch on the instrument panel. For
more information, see “T ailgate
Release” in the Index.

T o open the tailgate, lift up on the handle while pulling
the tailgate toward you.

Close the tailgate before closing the rear glass. After
closing the tailgate, make sure the tailgate is securely
latched by pulling it toward you. After closing the rear
glass, pull up on its handle to make sure it is locked.

-- Electric Glass

Panel Doors

T o open the rear panel doors, you must open the
passenger’s side panel door first. If the door is locked,
insert your door key in the lock and turn it
counterclockwise to unlock it.

T o open the passenger’s side panel door, pull up on the
handle and pull the door open.

2-9

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T o open the driver’s side panel door, first open the
passenger’s side door. Then, pull the handle on the left
door edge out and pull the door open.

The rear doors have a check assembly to keep them
from fully opening during normal use.

T o fully open either rear door, you must release the
check strap. T o release the check strap just:

1. Open the door partway until the white mark on the
check strap is fully outside the door edge. If the end
of the strap catches the pin on the door, the door is
open too far.

2. Then, hold the strap at
the white mark, pull the
strap toward you and
open the door all
the way.

To re-engage the door check strap, just close the door
and the strap will catch the pin.

T o close the doors, close the driver’s side door first.
After securely closing the door, close the passenger’s
side door. Make sure both doors are latched securely.

T o lock the rear doors from outside the vehicle, put your
key in the lock and turn it clockwise. If you have power
door locks, you can lock the side doors as well as the
rear doors from inside the vehicle. For more
information, see “Power Door Locks” in this section.

Theft

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.

Key in the Ignition

If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
don’t do it.

When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transmission. Also remember to lock
the doors.

-deterrent

-- so

2-10

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Parking at Night

Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.

Parking Lots

If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?

D

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.

D

Lock all the doors except the driver’s.

Passlock

Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft

-deterrent system.

Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key . If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock
cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.

R

During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off approximately five seconds after the key is turned to
the RUN ignition position.

If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from STAR T
as soon as the engine starts.

If the engine is running and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your dealer
for service.

In an emergency , call the Roadside Assistance Center.

2-11

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New Vehicle “Break-In”

NOTICE:

Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break

-in.” But it will perform better in the long

run if you follow these guidelines:

D

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

D

Don’t drive at any one speed
slow

-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don’t make full

D

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
time you get new brake linings.

D

Don’t tow a trailer during break
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.

-throttle starts.

-in guideline every

-- fast or

Ignition Positions

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be injured or even killed. They could
operate power windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in
the vehicle with children.

Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn
the ignition switch to five different positions.

-in.

2-12

ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things

like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was
before you inserted the key.
LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It’s a theft
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have your
vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if
your vehicle is being pushed).

-deterrent feature.

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RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This position starts your engine.

NOTICE:

If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.

Starting Your Gasoline Engine

If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel
Engine” in the Diesel Engine Supplement.

Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
safety feature. T o restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.

-- that’s a

2-13

NOTICE:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.

How to Start the Engine

1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to STAR T. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery
to be drained much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

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2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
STAR T. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, unless it starts sooner.

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), wait 15 seconds and start over.

When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.

If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.

2-14

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

In very cold weather, 0_F
(

-18

_

C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater
can help.

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CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
110

-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a

heavy

-duty three-prong extension cord rated for

at least 15 amps.

-prong

You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm
plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.

-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater electrical cord is located

on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, near
the power steering reservoir.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110

-volt AC outlet.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

2-15

Automatic Transmission Operation

There are several different positions for your shift lever.
Your vehicle features an electronic shift position indicator

within the instrument cluster. This display must be
powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved
out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF,
rather than LOCK, there will be a small current drain on
your battery which could discharge your battery over a
period of time. If you need to leave your key in the
ignition in OFF for an extended period for any reason, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from
the battery to prevent discharging your battery.

PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.

CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.

Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll
is in PARK (P)
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two
high (4H) or four
NEUTRAL (N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.

-- even if your shift lever

-- if your transfer case is in

-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel

-wheel low (4L) -- not in

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2-16

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.

T o rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. T o restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.

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CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

2-17

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (B): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:

D

Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

D

Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.

You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (B) can be used when
towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep
hills or for off
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often.

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (B).

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.

-road driving. You may want to shift the

If your vehicle is under 8600 lbs. GVWR, when you
manually select SECOND (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing
torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start your
vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

NOTICE:

If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.

Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transmission. Use
your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

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Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. T o get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the
part that follows before using four
should use 2
driving conditions.

-WHEEL HIGH (2H) for most normal

-wheel drive. You

NOTICE:

Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
4

-WHEEL LOW (4L) positions for a long time

on dry or wet pavement could shorten the life of
your vehicle’s drivetrain.

Front Axle Locking Feature

The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to
lock or unlock is normal.

Manual Transfer Case (If Equipped)

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The transfer case shift lever is on the floor to the right of
the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.

The front axle portion of the indicator diagram will light
up when you shift into four
axle engages.

Some delay between shifting and the indicator’s lighting
is normal. If the front axle light does not go out
immediately after you shift out of four
have your dealer check your system.

An indicator near the lever shows you the transfer
case settings:

-wheel drive and the front

-wheel drive,

2-Wheel High (2H): This setting is for driving in most
street and highway situations. Your front axle is not
engaged in two-wheel drive.

4

-Wheel High (4H): This setting engages your front

axle to help drive your vehicle. Use 4H when you need
extra traction and in most off-road situations.

CAUTION:

Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N). See “Parking Brake” in
the Index.

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NEUTRAL (N): Shift to this setting only when
your vehicle needs to be towed or when using a
power take-off.

4

-Wheel Low (4L): This setting also engages your

front axle to give you extra power and also gives you a
higher driveline ratio. It should be used only for
off

-road driving.

You can shift from 2
High (4H) or from 4
High (2H) while the vehicle is moving. Your front axle
will engage faster if you take your foot off the
accelerator for a few seconds after you shift. In
extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or
slow the vehicle to shift into 4

-Wheel High (2H) to 4-Wheel

-Wheel High (4H) to 2-Wheel

-Wheel High (4H).

T o shift into or out of 4
NEUTRAL (N):

1. Slow the vehicle to a roll, about 1 to 3 mph
(2 to 5 km/h) and shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL (N).

2. Shift the transfer case shift lever in one
continuous motion.

Don’t pause in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift the transfer
case into 4

Remember that driving in 4

-Wheel Low (4L) may reduce fuel economy. Also,

4
driving in four
cause your tires to wear faster and make your transfer
case harder to shift and run noisier.

When your headlamps or parking lamps are on, rotate the
thumbwheel next to the headlamp switch up to brighten or
down to dim your transfer case indicator light.

-Wheel Low (4L), or your gears could clash.

-wheel drive on dry pavement could

-Wheel Low (4L) or

-Wheel High (4H) or

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Automatic Transfer Case (If Equipped)

The transfer case switches are below and to the left of
the climate controls. Use these switches to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive. You can choose among four
driving settings:

2HI: This setting is used for driving in most situations.
Your front axle is not engaged in two
setting also provides the best fuel economy.

AUTO 4WD: This setting is ideal for use when road
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s
power is sent only to the rear wheels. When the vehicle
senses a loss of traction, the system will automatically
engage four
slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.

4HI: Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as
on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.
This setting also engages your front axle to help drive
your vehicle.

4LO: This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.

-wheel drive. Driving in this mode results in

-road in deep sand, deep mud,

-wheel drive. This

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CAUTION:

Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL. See “Parking Brake” in the Index.

NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to neutral

only when towing your vehicle. See “Recreational
Vehicle Towing” or “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index
for more information.

Indicator lights in the switches show which setting you are
in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn
on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do not
come on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for
service. An indicator light will flash while shifting the
transfer case. It will remain illuminated when the shift is
complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make
a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting.

If the SERVICE 4WD light stays on, you should take
your vehicle to your dealer for service. See “Service
4WD” in the Index for further information.

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Shifting to 4HI or AUTO 4WD

Press and release the 4HI or AUTO 4WD switch. This
can be done at any speed, and the indicator light will
flash while shifting. It will remain illuminated when the
shift is completed.

Shifting to 2HI

Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at
any speed.

Shifting to 4LO

T o shift to 4LO, the vehicle’s engine must be running
and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less
than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for shifting
into 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4LO switch.
You must wait for the 4LO indicator light to stop
flashing and remain illuminated before shifting your
transmission into gear.

If the 4LO switch is pressed when your vehicle is in
gear and/or moving, the 4LO indicator light will flash
for 30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your
vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the
transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds the
transfer case will return to the setting last chosen.

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Shifting Out of 4LO

T o shift from 4LO to 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI your
vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph
(4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and
the engine running. The preferred method for shifting
out of 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI switch. You must wait for the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI indicator light to stop flashing and remain
illuminated before shifting your transmission into gear.

If the 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 2HI switch is pressed when
your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4HI, AUTO
4WD or 2HI indicator light will flash for 30 seconds but
will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving
less than 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and the transmission is in
NEUTRAL (N).

Shifting to Neutral

T o shift the transfer case to neutral, first make sure the
vehicle is parked so that it will not roll:

1. Set the parking brake.

2. Start the vehicle.

3. Connect the vehicle to the towing vehicle.

4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).

5. Shift the transfer case to 2HI.

6. Simultaneously press and hold the 2HI and 4LO
buttons for 10 seconds. The NEUTRAL light will
come on when the transfer case shift to neutral
is complete.

7. Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one
second, then shift the transmission to AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE B for one second.

8. Turn the ignition to OFF.

9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).

10.Release the parking brake prior to towing.

Shifting Out of Neutral

T o shift out of neutral:

1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.

2. Start the vehicle with the transmission in PARK (P).

3. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 4LO).

4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).

5. Shift the transmission lever to the desired position.
After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,
the light will go out.

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Parking Brake

T o set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.

If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.

T o release the parking
brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down. Pull the
lever, located just above the
parking brake pedal,
marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the
parking brake.

If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.

NOTICE:

Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “T owing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

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Shifting Into PARK (P)

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. With four
case is in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free
to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
in NEUTRAL (N). If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

-wheel drive if your transfer

-- not

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:

D

Pull the lever toward you.

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D

Move the lever up as far as it will go.

3. If you have four
case is in a drive gear

4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.

5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

-wheel drive, be sure the transfer

--not in NEUTRAL (N).

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Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. If you have
four

-wheel drive and your transfer case is in

NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear
NEUTRAL (N). And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could be injured. Don’t
leave your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.

-- not in

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If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).

Torque Lock

If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
T o prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

Shifting Out of PARK (P)

Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock
system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.

If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:

1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position.

2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.

3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).

4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.

5. Have the brake
fixed as soon as you can.

-transmission shift interlock system

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Parking Over Things That Burn

CAUTION:

Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts
under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park over
papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that can burn.

Engine Exhaust

CAUTION:

Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:

D

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

D

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

D

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

D

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

D

Repairs weren’t done correctly.

D

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

D

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

D

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

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Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked

It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever you have to, here are some things to know.

CAUTION:

Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).

Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
CO

-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a

garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.

(See “Blizzard” in the Index.)

-- with

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N) will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear
set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps to be
sure your vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.

-- not in NEUTRAL (N). Always

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