Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won't start in any other position - that's a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.

Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped.

1. Turn your ignition key to RUN.

Observe the wait to start light.

2. As soon as the wait to start light goes off, immediately turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key.

Notice: Holding the key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage the starter motor.

Notice: If the wait to start light stays on after starting the vehicle, the vehicle may not run properly. Have the vehicle serviced right away.

3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking, turn the ignition key to OFF. Wait one minute for the starter to cool, then try the same steps again.

When your engine is cold, let it run for a few minutes before you move your vehicle. This lets oil pressure build up. Your engine will sound louder when it's cold.

Notice: If you are not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you would not be there to see the overheated engine indication. This could damage the vehicle. Do not let the engine run when you are not in the vehicle.

The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.

Use the recommended engine oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing. See Engine Oil . When the outside temperature drops below 0°F (-18°C), use of the engine coolant heater is recommended.

If you experience longer cranking times, notice an unusual amount of exhaust smoke or are at higher altitudes (over 7,000 ft. or 2 135 m), you may use your engine coolant heater. See Engine Coolant Heater .

See What Fuel to Use for information on what fuel to use in cold weather.

If your vehicle has this feature, your check gages light will come on if the system senses high engine temperature or low engine oil pressure. If high engine temperature or low engine oil pressure is detected, you will also hear a tone alarm at two beats per second. The alarm and the light will remain on until the condition is fixed. If the engine temperature or oil pressure condition worsens, the tone alarm will go to five beats per second.

If the system senses low engine oil coolant, the alarm and the low coolant warning light will come on.

The alarm means that your engine will shut down. See Engine Shutdown Warning Light for more information.

Pull off the road and shut off the engine. Don't start it until the vehicle is repaired. If the engine shuts down when you are still in traffic, you can restart the engine and get another 25-30 seconds of operation.

Notice: If you try to operate the vehicle after the engine automatically shuts down, you may damage the vehicle. Have the vehicle repaired as soon as possible.

If your vehicle has this feature, the manual high idle switch is located in the instrument panel switchbank.

This system can be used to increase your engine idle speed whenever the following conditions are met:

The manual high idle feature is activated by pressing the switch on the instrument panel. When the switch is pressed again, or any of the previous conditions are not met, manual high idle will be deactivated.

If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, there is an exhaust restrictor valve located in the exhaust stream. The valve closes to provide back pressure to the engine for the purpose of warming the engine quickly.

The exhaust restrictor operates:

On vehicles equipped with a diesel engine exhaust brake, the exhaust brake switch must be on. The indicator in the exhaust brake switch will be lit when the exhaust restrictor is active. The exhaust brake indicator light in the center of the instrument panel will also be lit whenever the exhaust restrictor is active.

When the engine coolant temperature is below 149°F (65°C) and the outside temperature is below 50°F (10°C), the exhaust restrictor will come on within 45 seconds of starting the engine. After running the engine for an additional 45 seconds, the engine idle will increase.

The exhaust restrictor will shut off and engine idle will return to normal once the engine is warmed up, or the transmission is shifted into range.

If you're not out of fuel, and your engine won't start, do this:

Turn your ignition key to RUN. Immediately after the wait to start light goes off, turn the ignition key to START.

If the light doesn't go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine again. And, see your dealer as soon as you can for a starting system check.

If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are charged, but your engine still won't start, your vehicle needs service.

If the light does not come on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs service.

If your batteries don't have enough charge to start your engine, see Battery for more information.

Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you've changed the oil at the proper times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder to start.

Be sure you are using the proper fuel for existing weather conditions. See What Fuel to Use .

If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.

Caution: Do not use gasoline or starting aids, such as ether, in the air intake. They could damage the engine. There could also be a fire, which could cause serious personal injury.