2012 Jeep Patriot Owners Manual

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4WD Lock Lever Engaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 ▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand . . . . . . . . . 312 ▫ Hill Climbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 ▫ Driving Through Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 ▫ After Driving Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 䡵 Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 ▫ Power Steering Fluid Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 䡵 Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 䡵 Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 ▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 324 䡵 Electronic Brake Control System . . . . . . . . . . . 326 ▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 327 ▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 ▫ Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . 328 ▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) . . . . . . . . . 328 ▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped . . 329 ▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transmission Or Off-Road Package Only . . . . 330 . . . . . . . . . 332 ▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC Off Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 䡵 Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 ▫ Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 ▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . . 340 ▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions . . . . . . . . . 341 ▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 342 䡵 Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 ▫ Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 ▫ Tire Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 ▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 349 ▫ Radial Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 ▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And Wheel – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 ▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped . . . . . . . . 350 STARTING AND OPERATING 293 ▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 ▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 351 ▫ Tire Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 ▫ Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 ▫ Life Of Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 ▫ Replacement Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 䡵 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 䡵 Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 䡵 Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . 356 䡵 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . . . 357 ▫ Base System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360 ▫ Premium System – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 362 ▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 294 STARTING AND OPERATING 䡵 Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 ▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 ▫ Reformulated Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 ▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 ▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles . . . . . . 368 ▫ MMT In Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 ▫ Materials Added To Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 ▫ Fuel System Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 ▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . 370 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 ▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 ▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message . . . . . . . . . . . 373 䡵 Adding Fuel 䡵 Vehicle Loading ▫ Vehicle Certification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 䡵 Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 ▫ Common Towing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 ▫ Trailer Hitch Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 ▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) . . . . . . . . 379 ▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 ▫ Towing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 ▫ Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386 䡵 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 STARTING PROCEDURES Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts. WARNING! • Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re- move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. access to an unlocked vehicle. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 295 WARNING! (Continued) • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. Manual Transmission – If Equipped Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake, press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift lever in NEUTRAL. NOTE: • The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is • If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the key. pressed to the floor. 296 STARTING AND OPERATING Automatic Transmission – If Equipped The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes before shifting to any driving gear. NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting out of PARK. Tip Start Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage automatically when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec- onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. Normal Starting Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal. Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. WARNING! Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans- mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer- gencies” for further information. Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or ⫺29°C) To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail- able from your authorized dealer) is recommended. If Engine Fails To Start If the engine fails to start after you have followed the “Normal Starting” and “Extreme Cold Weather” proce- dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. STARTING AND OPERATING 297 WARNING! Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing serious personal injury. CAUTION! To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again. After Starting The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine warms up. 298 STARTING AND OPERATING ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord. The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine. WARNING! Remember to disconnect the engine block heater cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause electrocution. MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED Five–Speed Manual Transmission WARNING! You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended without having the parking brake fully applied. The parking brake should al- ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an incline. Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal. STARTING AND OPERATING 299 For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light accelerations, fifth gear is recommended. Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the clutch. Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NOTE: During cold weather, until the transmission lubricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transmission. Recommended Shift Speeds fuel To use your manual economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following table. transmission for optimal Shift Pattern Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear. Be sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in third gear. Engine Size Accel- eration Rate Accel Cruise 300 STARTING AND OPERATING Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds Units in mph (km/h) 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 All 14 (23) 12 (19) 23 (37) 18 (29) 29 (47) 25 (40) Engines Downshifting Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and prolong engine life. 45 (72) 32 (52) CAUTION! If you skip more than one gear while downshifting or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could damage the engine, transmission, or clutch. To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift down to second or first gear when descending a steep grade. When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade, down- shift early so that the engine will not be overburdened. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED CAUTION! Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow- ing precautions are not observed: • Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to • Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed. a complete stop. (Continued) CAUTION! (Continued) • Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU- TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed. • Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal. NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK. WARNING! • Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 301 WARNING! (Continued) access to an unlocked vehicle. • Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re- move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. 302 STARTING AND OPERATING Key Ignition Park Interlock This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter- lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/ OFF position. The key fob can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position, and once removed, the shift lever is locked in PARK. Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the PARK position unless the brakes are applied. To move the shift lever out of the PARK position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON/RUN or START position (engine running or not) and the brake pedal must be pressed. The shift lever position display (located in the instrument panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of the PARK position (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position. NOTE: The Continuously Variable Automatic Transmis- sion (CVT) changes ratios in a continuous manner. This may sometimes ⬙feel⬙ as if it is slipping, but this is normal and does not harm anything. Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when moving the shift lever between these gears. The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU- TRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Some models include a LOW position; in others, manual shifts are made using the AutoStick威 shift control (refer to “AutoStick威” in this section). Moving the shift lever to the left or right (-/+) while in the DRIVE position (if equipped with AutoStick威) will manually select from a set of predefined transmission gear ratios, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Gear Ranges DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range. STARTING AND OPERATING 303 PARK This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau- tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. Shift Lever 304 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. • Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to move the shift lever rearward (with the brake pedal released) after you have placed it in PARK. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before leaving the vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and remove the ignition key. Once the key is removed, the shift lever is locked in the PARK position, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. • Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re- move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 305 WARNING! (Continued) • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. CAUTION! • Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must turn the ignition switch from the LOCK/OFF position to the ON/RUN position, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift lever could result. (Continued) 306 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! (Continued) • DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain. The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have engaged the shift lever into the PARK position: • When shifting into PARK, move the shift lever all the way forward and to the left until it stops and is fully seated. • Look at the shift lever position display and verify that • With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever it indicates the PARK position. will not move out of PARK. REVERSE This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NEUTRAL Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle. WARNING! Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision. CAUTION! Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can result in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recre- ational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in What To Do In Emergencies” for further information. DRIVE This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the best fuel economy. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi- tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick威 mode (if equipped) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, STARTING AND OPERATING 307 using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission oil may become too hot. If this happens, the transmission overheat indicator light will come on, and the vehicle will slow slightly until the transmission cools down enough to allow a return to the requested speed. This is done to prevent transmission damage due to overheating. If the high speed is maintained, the overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion. LOW – IF EQUIPPED This range should be used for engine braking when descending very steep grades. In this range, the trans- mission will downshift for maximum engine braking, and upshifts will occur only to prevent engine overspeed. 308 STARTING AND OPERATING AUTOSTICK姞 AutoStick威 is a driver-interactive transmission that offers six manual ratio changes to provide you with more control. AutoStick威 allows you to maximize engine brak- ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the Continu- ously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) and/or the engine from overspeed. Changes down will only happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling. Operation NOTE: AutoStick威 is not available until the CVT warms up in cold weather. AutoStick威 operation is activated in the DRIVE position by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift lever to the (+) side will activate AutoStick威 and shift up to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already operating in or near Overdrive, in which case sixth gear ratio will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift lever to (-) will activate AutoStick威 and shift to the next lower manual ratio. After AutoStick威 is activated, the manual ratio selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio. AutoStick威 Is Deactivated: • By holding the shift lever to (+) momentarily • When the shift lever is shifted out of DRIVE • When in sixth position, by touching the shift lever to • When heavy Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) applica- the right tion is detected General Information • If a ratio other than first is selected and the vehicle is brought to a stop, the transmission control logic will automatically select the first gear ratio. • If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to the rev limit, the transmission will automatically select the next higher ratio. • If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed, that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine. • If the system detects powertrain overheating, the transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off. • If the system detects a problem, it will disable the AutoStick威 mode and the transmission will return to the automatic mode until the problem is corrected. STARTING AND OPERATING 309 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED This feature provides full time, on-demand, four–wheel drive (4WD). Four-Wheel Drive Switch Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if addi- tional traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loose 310 STARTING AND OPERATING traction surfaces, activate the “4WD LOCK” switch by pulling up once and releasing. This locks the center coupling allowing more torque to be sent to the rear wheels. The “4WD Indicator Light” will come on in the cluster. This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle speed. To deactivate, simply pull on the switch one more time. The “4WD Indicator Light” will then go out. NOTE: Refer to “Electronic Brake Control System/ Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in “Starting and Op- erating” for further information. ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a narrower track to make them capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems. They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfacto- rily in off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS You will encounter many types of terrain driving off- road. You should be familiar with the terrain and area before proceeding. There are many types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice. Every surface has a different effect on your vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Control- ling your vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations, turns or braking. In most cases there are no road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights. Therefore you will need to use your own good judgment on what is safe and what is not. When on a trail, you should always be looking ahead for surface obstacles and changes in terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route while remembering what you are currently driving over. CAUTION! Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other combustible materials. The heat from your vehicle exhaust system could cause a fire. WARNING! Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles in an off-road situation. STARTING AND OPERATING 311 When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD Lock Lever Engaged When driving off-road, shift into low (L Off-Road) and activate the 4WD LOCK. This will provide additional traction and activates the numerous off-road features to improve handling and control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the sustained lower gearing, low (L Off-Road) with 4WD LOCK engaged will allow the engine to operate in a higher power range. This will allow you to cross over obstacles and descend hills, with improved control and less effort. NOTE: For maximum off-road performance, premium fuel is recommended. While the vehicle will operate on regular fuel when in L Off-Road mode, the engine has been calibrated for maximum performance using pre- mium fuel. 312 STARTING AND OPERATING Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand There is a drastic reduction in traction when driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be less responsive to steering, acceleration and braking inputs. Therefore, you should accelerate slowly, leave greater stopping distances and avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to maintain the vehicle’s momentum. Snow In heavy snow or for additional control and traction at slower speeds, activate the 4WD LOCK and shift the transaxle to low (L Off-Road) if necessary. Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over- revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth, while still applying throttle. This will allow the tires to get a fresh ⬙bite⬙ and help maintain your momen- tum. CAUTION! On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high engine RPM’s or vehicle speeds because engine brak- ing may cause skidding and loss of control. Mud Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around the tires and is very difficult to get through. You should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and maintain your momentum. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth for additional traction. Mud holes pose an increased threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck. They are normally full of debris from previous vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice before entering any mud hole, get out and determine how deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles and if the vehicle can be safely recovered if stuck. Sand Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with full tire pressure. When crossing soft sandy spots in a trail maintain your vehicle’s momentum and do not stop. The key to driving in soft sand is using the appropriate tire pressure, accelerating slowly, avoiding abrupt maneu- vers and maintaining the vehicle’s momentum. If you are going to be driving on large soft sandy areas or dunes, reduce your tire pressure to a minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater tire surface area. You should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and ESC turned off. Reduced tire pressure will drastically improve your traction and handling, while driving on the soft sand, but you must return the tires to normal air pressure before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces. Be sure you have a way to reinflate the tires prior to reducing the pressure. STARTING AND OPERATING 313 CAUTION! Reduced tire pressures may cause tire unseating and total loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu- vers. Hill Climbing Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good under- standing of your abilities and your vehicle’s limitations. Hills can cause serious problems. Some are just too steep to climb and should not be attempted. You should always feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You should always climb hills straight up and down. Never attempt to climb a hill on an angle. 314 STARTING AND OPERATING Before Climbing A Steep Hill As you approach a hill consider its grade or steepness. Determine if it is too steep. Look to see what the traction is on the hill side trail. Is the trail straight up and down? What is on top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks, branches or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover the vehicle if something goes wrong? If every- thing looks good and you feel confident, then you should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and proceed with caution maintaining your momentum as you climb the hill. Driving Up Hill Once you have determined your ability to proceed and have shifted into the appropriate gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttle and apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of grade could cause you to lose control. If the front end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by turning the steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a fresh ⬙bite⬙ into the surface and will usually provide enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and back straight down the grade using engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes. WARNING! Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline increases the risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury. Driving Down Hill Before driving down a steep hill you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the vehicle descends to fast? If you feel confident in your ability to proceed then make sure you are in low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and proceed with caution. Allow engine and hill descent braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock. WARNING! Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking. Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose control and be seriously injured. STARTING AND OPERATING 315 Driving Across An Incline If at all possible avoid driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places more weight on the down-hill wheels, which increases the possibilities of a down-hill slide or rollover. Make sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle heading slightly up or down. WARNING! Driving across an incline increases the risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury. If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift to REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing engine 316 STARTING AND OPERATING and hill descent braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock. WARNING! If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe injury. Always back carefully straight down a hill in REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally across a hill, always drive straight up or down. Driving Through Water Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of water. Water crossings should be avoided if possible, and only be attempted when necessary in a safe responsible man- ner. You should only drive through areas which are designated and approved. You should tread lightly and avoid damage to the environment. You should know your vehicles abilities and be able to recover it if some- thing goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls, do not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested water first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You want to use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD LOCK engaged and proceed very slowly with a constant slow speed {3-5 mph (5–8 km/h) maximum} and light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids for signs of water ingestion. CAUTION! Water ingestion into the transaxle, transfer case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause permanent damage to engine, driveline or other vehicle components and your brakes will be less effective once wet and/or muddy. Before You Cross Any Type Of Water As you approach any type of water you need to determine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get out and walk through the water or probe it with a stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle, current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe crossing is the water depth, current and bottom conditions. On soft bottoms STARTING AND OPERATING 317 the vehicle will sink in, effectively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when determining the depth and the ability to safely cross. Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other Standing Water Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water types normally contain hidden obstacles and make it difficult to determine an accurate water depth, approach angle, and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes are where you want to hook up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If you are able to determine you can safely cross, than proceed using the low and slow method. CAUTION! Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system effec- tiveness by depositing debris onto the radiator. 318 STARTING AND OPERATING After Driving Off-Road Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle ready when you need it. • Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust system for damage. • Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as • Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus- pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values specified in the Service Manual. required. • Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and to fuel propeller shafts. • After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible. WARNING! Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not have full braking power when you need it to prevent a collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as necessary. • If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation. POWER STEERING The standard power steering system will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical steering capability if power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi- tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during parking maneuvers. STARTING AND OPERATING 319 NOTE: • Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate that there is a problem with the power steering system. • Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer- ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any way damage the steering system. WARNING! Continued operation with reduced power steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be obtained as soon as possible. 320 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! CAUTION! Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid temperature and it should be avoided when possible. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. Power Steering Fluid Check Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined service interval is not required. The fluid should only be checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici- pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho- rized dealer. Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering system as the chemicals can damage your power steering components. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING! Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and with the engine off to prevent injury from moving parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended power steering fluid. If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information. PARKING BRAKE Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave an automatic transmission in PARK, or manual transmission in REVERSE or first gear. The parking brake lever is located in the center console. To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever completely. STARTING AND OPERATING 321 Parking Brake When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in the ON position, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will illuminate. 322 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: • When the parking brake is applied and the automatic transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake before attempting to move the vehicle. • This light only shows that the parking brake is ap- plied. It does not show the degree of brake application. When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, apply the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The parking brake should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the vehicle. WARNING! access to an unlocked vehicle. fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle. • When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. • Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and a collision. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Always fully apply the parking brake when leav- ing your vehicle or it may roll and cause damage or injury. Also, be certain to leave an automatic transmission in PARK, a manual transmission in REVERSE or first gear. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury. CAUTION! If the Brake System Warning Light remains on with the parking brake released, a brake system malfunc- tion is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. BRAKE SYSTEM Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for STARTING AND OPERATING 323 any reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the engine off), the brakes will still function. How- ever, the effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required with the power system oper- ating. WARNING! Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and possible brake damage. You would not have your full braking capacity in an emergency. If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa- bility, the remaining system will still function with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased pedal travel during application and greater pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the 324 STARTING AND OPERATING malfunction is caused by an internal leak, as the brake fluid in the master cylinder drops, the “Brake Warning Light” will light. WARNING! Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light” on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking per- formance or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to control. You could have a collision. Have the vehicle checked immedi- ately. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) The ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake performance under most braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent wheel lock-up. WARNING! • Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their effectiveness and may lead to a collision. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or stop. • The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys- ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond that af- forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. • The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. The “ABS Warning Light” monitors the ABS System. The light will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as four seconds. If the “ABS Warning Light” remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is not functioning and that service is required. However, the conventional brake system will continue to operate normally if the “Brake Warning Light” is not on. STARTING AND OPERATING 325 If the “ABS Warning Light” is on, the brake system should be serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of anti-lock brakes. If the “ABS Warning Light” does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the bulb repaired as soon as possible. If both the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS Warning Light” remain on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not functioning. Immedi- ate repair to the ABS is required. When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some related motor noises. These noises are the system per- forming its self-check cycle to ensure that the ABS working properly. This self-check occurs each time the vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h). 326 STARTING AND OPERATING ABS is activated during braking under certain road or stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in- clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris, or panic stops. You may also experience the following when the brake system goes into anti-lock mode: • the ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a • the clicking sound of solenoid valves • brake pedal pulsations • a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end short time after the stop) of the stop These are all normal characteristics of ABS. WARNING! The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) contains sophis- ticated electronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment. This interference can cause possible loss of Anti-Lock braking capability. Installation of such equipment should be performed by qualified professionals. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and type and tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the computer. ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad- vanced electronic brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions and are commonly referred to as ESC. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The system controls hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting and Operating” for further information. Brake Assist System (BAS) The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The system detects an emergency braking situation by sens- ing the rate and amount of brake application and then applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the STARTING AND OPERATING 327 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak- ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not “pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated. WARNING! • The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail- ing road conditions. • The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. (Continued) 328 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. Traction Control System (TCS) This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in either the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual. Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by monitoring the driver’s steering wheel input and the speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the brake of the appropriate wheel and may also reduce engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneuvers. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It can not prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or other vehicles. NOTE: Anytime the ESC system is in the “Full Off” mode, ERM is disabled. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this section for a complete explanation of the available ESC modes. WARNING! Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi- tions and driving conditions, influence the chance that wheel lift or roll over may occur. ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or roll overs, especially those that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects or other vehicles. The capabilities of an ERM- equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck- less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. STARTING AND OPERATING 329 Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped This system maintains vehicle speed while descending hills during off-road driving situations. HDC will auto- matically apply the brakes to control downhill speed to between 4 mph (7 km/h) and 6 mph (9 km/h) depending on terrain. The system is activated by placing the vehicle in “Off-Road” mode and placing the shift lever in LOW or REVERSE. Refer to “Safe Off-Road Driving” in “Start- ing and Operating” for further information. When HDC is properly enabled, the “Hill Decent Control Light” in the instrument cluster will be illuminated. HDC has the capability to sense terrain and will only activate when the vehicle is descending a hill. It will not activate on level ground. If desired, HDC can be fully deactivated by putting the vehicle into ESC “Full Off” mode. This is done by pressing and holding the “ESC 330 STARTING AND OPERATING Off” button for five seconds. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this section of the manual. HDC operation can be overridden with brake application to slow the vehicle down below the HDC control speed. Conversely, if more speed is desired during HDC control, the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed like normal. When either the brake or the accelerator is released, HDC will control the vehicle back to the origi- nal set speed. HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving. At vehicle speeds above 31 mph (50 km/h) HDC will no longer function. If the “HDC Indicator Light” begins to flash this indicates that the brakes are getting too hot and the vehicle should be stopped to allow the brakes to cool. WARNING! HDC is only intended to assist the driver in control- ling vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver must remain attentive to the driving conditions and is responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed. Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transmission Or Off-Road Package Only The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this short period of time, the system will release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The system will release brake pressure in proportion to amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in the intended direction of travel. HSA Activation Criteria The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to activate: • Vehicle must be stopped. • Vehicle must be on a 7% grade or greater hill. • Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back- ing uphill is in REVERSE gear). WARNING! There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than 8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer, when the system will not activate and slight rolling may occur. This could cause a collision with another vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 331 Disabling/Enabling HSA If you wish to turn on or off the HSA system, it can be done using the Customer Programmable Features in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un- derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa- tion. For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the following steps: NOTE: You must complete Steps 1 through 8 within 90 seconds. 1. Center the steering wheel straight forward). 2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 3. Apply the parking brake. 4. Start the engine. (front wheels pointing 332 STARTING AND OPERATING 5. Release the clutch pedal. 6. Rotate the steering wheel one-half turn to the left. 7. Press the “ESC Off” switch (located in the lower switch bank below the climate controls) four times within 20 seconds. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” should turn on and turn off two times. 8. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an additional half-turn to the right. 9. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm HSA is dis- abled. 10. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to it’s previous setting. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) This system enhances directional control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor- rects for over-steering or under-steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over-steering or under-steering condi- tion. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over-steer or under-steer condition • Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than • Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position. appropriate for the steering wheel position. WARNING! • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. • ESC cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent collisions resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent collisions. • The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. STARTING AND OPERATING 333 ESC Operating Modes The ESC system has three available operating modes for four-wheel drive equipped vehicles and two available operating modes for two-wheel drive equipped vehicles. Full On (Four-Wheel Drive Models) Or On (Two-Wheel Drive Models) This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever the vehicle is started the ESC system will be in this “On” mode. This mode should be used for most driving situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial Off” or “ESC Off” for specific reasons as noted below. Partial Off (Four-Wheel Drive Models) Or On (Two-Wheel Drive Models) This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. When in “Partial Off” mode, the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will be illumi- nated. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is 334 STARTING AND OPERATING in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation. NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off” mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa- tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion. WARNING! When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature described in the TCS section), has been disabled and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illuminated. All other stabil- ity features of ESC function normally. When in “Partial Off” mode, the engine power reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC system is reduced. Full Off (Four-Wheel Drive Models Only) This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use when ESC stability features could inhibit vehicle maneu- verability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by pressing and holding the “ESC Off” switch for five seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is the “ESC Activation/ running. After Malfunction Indicator Light” will illuminate and the five seconds, “ESC Off” message will appear in the odometer. Press and release the Trip Odometer button located on the instrument cluster to clear this message. In this mode, ESC is turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). At 35 mph (56 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off” mode, as described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48 km/h) the ESC system shuts off. ESC is deactivated at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road driving however, ESC function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h). The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will al- ways be illuminated when ESC is off. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the “ESC On” mode of operation. NOTE: The “ESC OFF” message will display and an audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed STARTING AND OPERATING 335 into the PARK position from any other position, and then moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if the message was previously cleared. WARNING! With the ESC switched off, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is unavailable. In an emer- gency evasive maneuver, the ESC system will not engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESC Off” mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only. ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC OFF Indicator Light The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. It should go out with the engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator 336 STARTING AND OPERATING Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho- rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo- cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac- celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. NOTE: • The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen- tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON. • Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system • The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused the ESC activation. will be ON even if it was turned off previously. The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off. TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings 1 — U.S. DOT Safety Standards Code (TIN) 2 — Size Designation 3 — Service Description 4 — Maximum Load 5 — Maximum Pressure 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades STARTING AND OPERATING 337 NOTE: • P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa- tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H. • European-Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards. Tires designed to this standard have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter ⬙P⬙ is absent from this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H. • LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced- ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. • Temporary spare tires are spares designed for tempo- rary emergency use only. Temporary high pressure 338 STARTING AND OPERATING compact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex- ample: T145/80D18 103M. • High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. Tire Sizing Chart Size Designation: EXAMPLE: P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Passenger car tire based on European design standards LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards T or S = Temporary spare tire 31 = Overall diameter in inches (in) 215 = Section width in millimeters (mm) 65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%) — Ratio of section height to section width of tire 10.5 = Section width in inches (in) R = Construction code — ⬙R⬙ means radial construction — ⬙D⬙ means diagonal or bias construction 15 = Rim diameter in inches (in) EXAMPLE: STARTING AND OPERATING 339 Service Description: 95 = Load Index H = Speed Symbol — A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry — A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under certain operating conditions — The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits) Load Identification: ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire Light Load (LL) = Light load tire C, D, E, F, G = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure Maximum Load — Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry Maximum Pressure — Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire 340 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Identification Number (TIN) The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire, however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire. EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301 DOT = Department of Transportation — This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards and is approved for highway use MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits) L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits) ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits) 03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —03 means the 3rd week. 01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —01 means the year 2001 — Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991 Tire Terminology And Definitions B-Pillar Term Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Maximum Inflation Pressure Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Tire Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 341 Definition The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front door. Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a three hour period. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals). The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall. Vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard. A paper label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures. 342 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Loading And Tire Pressure Tire And Loading Information Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver’s side door. Tire And Loading Information Placard Tire and Loading Information Placard Tire Placard Location This placard tells you important information about the: 1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle 2) total weight your vehicle can carry 3) tire size designed for your vehicle 4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires. Loading The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual. NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear STARTING AND OPERATING 343 axles must not be exceeded. For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in this section. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here. Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu- pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 344 STARTING AND OPERATING 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs [295 kg]). 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. NOTE: • The following table shows examples on how to calcu- late total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle. • For the following example, the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg). STARTING AND OPERATING 345 346 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Safety Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them. TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION Tire Pressure Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary areas are affected by improper tire pressure: WARNING! cause collisions. sult in over-heating and tire failure. • Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can • Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re- • Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause damage that result in tire failure. • Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. • Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob- lems. You could lose control of your vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve- hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right or left. • Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom- mended cold tire inflation pressure. Economy Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear pat- terns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel consumption. Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. STARTING AND OPERATING 347 Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the left side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con- ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure Information” section of this manual. The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are under-inflated. 348 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the valve stem. Inflation pressures specified on the tire pressure label are always “cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range of outdoor temperatures as tire pressures vary with temperature changes. Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the Winter. Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside temperature condition. Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation. Do not reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too low. Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi- tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera- tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures. WARNING! High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi- mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a serious collision. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h). STARTING AND OPERATING 349 Radial Ply Tires WARNING! Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability could cause a collision. Always use radial ply tires in sets of four. Never combine them with other types of tires. Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And Wheel – If Equipped Your vehicle may be equivalent with a spare tire and wheel in look and function as the original equipment tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for your 350 STARTING AND OPERATING vehicle. If your vehicle has this option refer to an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation pattern. If your vehicle is not equipped with an original equip- ment tire and wheel as a spare, a non-matching tempo- rary emergency use spare may be equipped with your vehicle. Temporary use spares are engineered to be used only with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be equipped with one of the following types of non-matching tempo- rary use spares; compact, full size, or limited-use. Do not install more than one non-matching temporary use spare tire/wheel on the vehicle at any given time. CAUTION! Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a compact, full size or limited-use temporary spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may result. Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only. You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation. Example: T145/ 80D18 103M. T, S = Temporary Spare Tire Since this tire has limited tread life the original equip- ment tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity. Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare tire. Do not install more than one compact spare tire and wheel on the vehicle at any given time. WARNING! Compact spares are for temporary emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control. Full Size Spare – If Equipped The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only. This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as STARTING AND OPERATING 351 your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity. Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency use only. This tire is identified by a label located on the limited-use spare wheel. This label contains the driving limitations for this spare. This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited-use spare tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity. 352 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Limited-use spares are for emergency use only. In- stallation of this limited-use spare tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more than the speed listed on the limit-use spare wheel. Keep inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure listed on your Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening. Replace (or repair) the original equipment tire at the first opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss of vehicle control. Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further information. WARNING! Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener- ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam- age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some- one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds continuously when you are stuck, and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed. Tire Spinning When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping when you are stuck. Tread Wear Indicators Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to help you in determining when your tires should be replaced. STARTING AND OPERATING 353 Life Of Tire The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors including, but not limited to: • Driving style • Tire pressure • Distance driven WARNING! Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You could lose control and have a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with oil, grease, and gasoline. 1 — Worn Tire 2 — New Tire These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced. 354 STARTING AND OPERATING Replacement Tires The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu- facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva- lent to the originals in size, quality and performance when replacement is needed. (Refer to the paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for the size designation of your tire. The Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the Tire Sizing Chart example found in the Tire Safety Information section of this manual for more information relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire. It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels. It is recommended you contact your original equipment or an authorized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. WARNING! • Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus- pension dimensions and performance characteris- tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict- able handling and stress to steering and suspen- sion components. You could lose control and have a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity other than what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose control and have a collision. • Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control. CAUTION! Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in false speedometer and odometer read- ings. STARTING AND OPERATING 355 TIRE CHAINS Due to limited clearance, tire chains are not recom- mended. CAUTION! Damage to the vehicle may result if tire chains are used. SNOW TIRES Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires during the winter. All season tires can be identified by the M+S designation on the tire sidewall. If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle. 356 STARTING AND OPERATING Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h). For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures. While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro- hibit studded tires; local laws should be checked before using these tire types. therefore, TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle operate at different loads and perform different steering, driving, and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal rates. These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud, snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride. Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals. The reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation being performed. The suggested rotation method is the “rearward cross” shown in the following diagram. This rotation pattern does not apply to some directional tires that must not be reversed. STARTING AND OPERATING 357 when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pressure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set based on “cold inflation tire pressure”. This is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Refer to “Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Operating” for information on how to properly inflate the vehicle’s tires. The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is driven - this is normal and there should be no adjustment for this increased pres- sure. The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if the tire pressure falls below the low-pressure warning limit for any reason, including low temperature effects, or natural pressure loss through the tire. Tire Rotation TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle recom- mended cold placard pressure. The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about 1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means that 358 STARTING AND OPERATING The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure warn- ing (Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light) illuminates, you must increase the tire pressure to the recommended cold placard pressure in order for the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light to turn off. The system will automatically update and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off once the system receives the updated tire pressures. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this information. For example, your vehicle may have a recommended cold (parked for more than three hours) placard pressure of 30 psi (207 kPa). If the ambient temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the measured tire pressure is 27 psi (186 kPa), a temperature drop to 20°F (-7°C) will decrease the tire pressure to approximately 23 psi (158 kPa). This tire pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn ON the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light. Driving the vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to approximately 27 psi (186 kPa), but the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will still be ON. In this situation, the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn OFF only after the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure value. CAUTION! • The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and warnings have been established for the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when us- ing replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can

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2012 Jeep Patriot Owners Manual