Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine Running

WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running.

The vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set.

If you have four-wheel drive and the transfer case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to roll, even if the shift lever is in P (Park). So be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral).

And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You or others could be injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running unless you have to.

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

    See also:

    Portable Audio Devices
    This vehicle may have an auxiliary input located on the radio faceplate and a USB port located in the center console or on the instrument panel. External devices such as an iPod®, laptop computer, ...

    Remote Vehicle Start
    The vehicle may have this feature that allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. (Remote Vehicle Start): This button will be on the RKE transmitter if the vehicle has remote start. ...

    Shifting Into Park
    WARNING It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the veh ...