Vehicle Access

Ignition and Lock Key

One key operates the ignition switch and all of the door locks.
IMPORTANT: Each key is numbered. Record the number so, if needed, a duplicate key can be made.

Cab Door Locks and Handles

To unlock the driver's door from outside the cab, insert the key in the lockset and turn it one-quarter turn clockwise ( Fig. 3.1 ). Turn the key counterclockwise to the original position to remove it. Pull out on the paddle handle to open the door ( Fig. 3.1 ).
  • 1. Lockset
  • 2. Paddle Handle
Fig. 3.1, Exterior Door Handle
To unlock the passenger's door from outside the cab, insert the key in the lockset and turn it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Turn the key to the original position to remove it.
NOTE: The cab door locks can be operated when the doors are open.
To lock a door from outside the cab, insert the key in the lockset and turn it opposite the unlocking direction, then close the door if it is open. Or, push down the inside lock button ( Fig. 3.2 ), then close the door.
  • 1. Lock Button
  • 2. Integral Grab Bar
  • 3. Door Handle
Fig. 3.2, Door Interior
To lock either door from inside the cab, push down the lock button ( Fig. 3.2 ), then close the door if it is open. Pull the integral grab bar ( Fig. 3.2 ) when closing the door.
To open the door from the inside, pull the door handle toward you ( Fig. 3.2 ). This will unlatch the door whether or not it is locked. To unlock the door without unlatching it, pull the lock button up.

Grab Handles and Access Steps

WARNING
Wet or dirty shoe soles greatly increase the chance of slipping or falling. If your soles are wet or dirty, be especially careful when climbing onto, or down from, the back-of-cab area.
Always maintain three-point contact with the back-of-cab access supports while entering and exiting the back-of-cab area. Three-point contact means both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot, on the grab handles, steps, and deck plates. Other areas are not meant to support back-of-cab access, and grabbing or stepping in the wrong place could lead to a fall, and personal injury.
Be careful not to get hands or feet tangled in hoses or other back-of-cab equipment. Carelessness could cause a person to trip and fall, with possible injury.

Entering the Driver's Side (Fig. )

  • 1. Steering Wheel
  • 2. Grab Handle
  • 3. Top Step
  • 4. Bottom Step
Fig. 3.3, Driver's Side Steps and Grab Handle
When entering the cab from the driver's side, use the grab handle and access steps as follows:
1.
Open the driver's door, and place anything that you are carrying in the cab.
2.
Grasp the grab handle with both hands. Reach up as far as is comfortable.
3.
Place your right foot on the bottom step, and pull yourself up.
4.
Place your left foot on the top step.
5.
Grasp the steering wheel with your left hand, and step up.
6.
Step into the cab with your right foot first, and grasp the steering wheel with your right hand.

Exiting the Driver's Side (Fig. )

Exit the cab from the driver's side as follows:
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to exit the cab while carrying any items in your hands.
1.
Grasp the steering wheel with both hands, place your left foot on the top step, and stand on the threshold, facing into the cab.
2.
Grasp the grab handle at the aft edge of the door opening with your right hand.
3.
Move your right foot to the bottom step.
4.
Move your left hand to the grab handle.
5.
Step to the ground with your left foot first.

Entering the Passenger's Side (Fig. )

  • 1. Upper Grab Handle
  • 2. Lower Grab Handle
  • 3. Top Step
  • 4. Bottom Step
Fig. 3.4, Passenger's Side Steps and Grab Handles
When entering the cab from the passenger's side, use the grab handles and access steps as follows:
1.
Open the passenger's door, and place anything that you are carrying in the cab.
2.
Grasp the grab handle at the aft edge of the door opening with your left hand.
3.
Grasp the handle on the door ( Fig. 3.4 ) with your right hand.
4.
Place your right foot on the bottom step and step up to the upper step with your left foot.
5.
With your left hand, grasp the upper grab handle on the windshield post.
6.
Place your right foot on the top step and step up.
7.
Move your right hand to the upper grab handle on the windshield post.
8.
Step into the cab with your left foot first.

Exiting the Passenger's Side (Fig. )

Exit the cab from the passenger's side as follows:
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to exit the cab while carrying any items in your hands.
1.
Grasp the grab handle on the windshield post with both hands, and place your right foot on the top step while standing up from the seat facing inward.
2.
Place your left foot on the bottom step.
3.
Move your left hand to the grab handle at the aft edge of the door opening.
4.
Move your right hand to the grab handle on the door.
5.
Step to the ground with your right foot first.

Door Windows

The windows in both doors operate electrically (if so equipped). Use the appropriate switch to raise or lower a door window.

Sleeper Compartment Vents

To open any sleeper compartment vent, push the vent handle outward and forward with your fingertips. To close the vent, turn your hand so that your fingers are pulling on the handle from the front edge, then pull in and back on the handle. Use care to avoid pinching your fingers.

Circuit Breaker/Relay Panel

The circuit breaker/relay panel is located in front of the passenger's seat under the top cover of the instrument panel. To access the compartment, first remove the vertical panel located immediately below the right hand adjustable louvers. Gently pry up the lower edge by using your fingertips or a flat-bladed screwdriver in the slots provided. Rotate the exposed fastener one-quarter turn and lift off the cover. Removal of the smaller exposed duct might also be required.

Cab-to-Sleeper Access

WARNING
Place rigid or heavy objects in storage areas on the floor or under the bunk. Sudden stops or swerves could cause personal injury if items fall from overhead storage shelves.
To open the sleeper access on vehicles with vinyl sleeper curtains, unzip the sleeper curtains. If desired, unsnap the curtains all the way around the sides and top and remove the curtains.
To open the sleeper access on vehicles with velour sleeper curtains, unfasten the snaps at one side, then push the curtain to the opposite side.

Sleeper Bunk Latches

To move the lower or upper sleeper bunk (if equipped), disengage the latch at the front of the lower bunk, or the latches on both sides of the upper bunk. Lock the bunks into operating position, down for the lower bunk and up or down for the upper bunk, by engaging both the primary and secondary latches.

Sleeper Door

The sleeper door ( Fig. 3.5 , Ref. 1) is not intended for entry or exit. The door is intended only as a convenient means to stow or remove personal belongings in and from the sleeper area. To open the door, push down on the lever handle located inside the sleeper compartment to the right of the door. The door can be opened from the outside by pulling the release cable strap inside the baggage door opening. To close the door, push it closed until it latches.
IMPORTANT: The sleeper doors are two-stage latching. When closing the doors, ensure that they are completely latched to prevent wind noise and water intrusion.
  • 1. Sleeper Door
  • 2. Baggage Compartment Door
Fig. 3.5, Passenger-Side Sleeper and Baggage Compartment Doors

Baggage Compartment Doors

To unlock the baggage compartment door on the passenger's side, insert the ignition key in the lockset, and turn it one-quarter turn clockwise. See Fig. 3.5 . Turn the key to the original position to remove it. Pull up and outward on the baggage door handle to open the door. To close the door, push it closed until it latches. To lock the door, insert the ignition key in the lockset and turn it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Use the same procedure to open the baggage compartment door on the driver's side, but turn the key counterclockwise to unlock the door and clockwise to lock it.

Back-of-Cab Grab Handles, Steps, and Deck Plate

WARNING
External surfaces of the exhaust system remain hot after the engine has been shut down. When accessing the back of the cab or sleeper, do not touch any part of the exhaust system, or severe burns could occur.
When trailer air and electrical connections cannot be reached conveniently from the ground, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require commercial carriers to provide back-of-cab access supports.
Optional grab handles are mounted either on both cab sidewalls, or on the left sidewall only. See Fig. 3.6 . Steps are mounted either on the fuel tank(s) or on metal brackets. When a deck plate is necessary, it is mounted across the top of the frame rails.
IMPORTANT: Climb onto, and down from, back-of-cab access facing in toward the vehicle, as you would on a ladder. Do not climb up or down facing out away from the vehicle.
  • 1. Steps
  • 2. Grab Handle
  • 3. Deck Plate
Fig. 3.6, Back-of-Cab Access
WARNING
Wet or dirty shoe soles greatly increase the chance of slipping or falling. If your soles are wet or dirty, be especially careful when climbing onto, or leaving, the back-of-cab area.
Always maintain three-point contact with the back-of-cab access supports while entering and exiting the back-of-cab area. Three-point contact means both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot, on the grab handles, steps, and deck plates. Other areas are not meant to support back-of-cab access, and grabbing or stepping in the wrong place could lead to a fall, and personal injury.
Be careful not to get hands or feet tangled in hoses or other back-of-cab equipment. Carelessness could cause a person to trip and fall, with possible injury.

Entering Back-of-Cab

When climbing onto the deck plate, do the following:
1.
Grasp the sidewall grab handle with both hands. Reach up as far as is comfortable.
2.
Place one foot on the bottom step and pull yourself up.
3.
Place your other foot on the top step.
4.
Move your lower hand to a higher position on the grab handle.
5.
Step onto the deck plate.

Climbing Down from Back-of-Cab

To climb down from the back-of-cab area:
1.
Grasp the sidewall grab handle with both hands.
2.
Step one foot at a time onto the top step.
3.
Move your upper hand to a lower position on the grab handle.
4.
Move one foot to the bottom step.
5.
Move your upper hand to a lower position on the grab handle.
6.
Step to the ground with your upper foot first.

Battery Box Cover

To remove the cover from the frame rail-mounted battery box, release the latches that attach the left chassis fairing panel (if equipped) in front of the battery box. Remove the air fairing panel. See Group 60 of the Columbia®Workshop Manual for instructions. If no air fairing panel is installed, remove the step plate. Pull on the end of each hold-down latch until the end clears the cover-mounted catch. Pivot the latches out of the way, then lift off the cover. When installing the cover, be sure it is positioned properly before fastening the latches.
To remove the cover from the battery box mounted between the frame rails, remove the deck plate and lift the handle on the top of the battery box cover. If equipped, remove the spring pin.

Hood Tilting

The hood can be tilted to a full-open position. A grab handle at the front of the hood provides a hand-hold for hood tilting. A torsion bar helps you to tilt the hood open, and to return it to the operating position. A damper controls the closing rate of the hood and hood straps prevent the hood from overtravel. In the operating position, the hood is secured to the lower cab side panels by a hold-down latch on each side of the hood.

To Tilt the Hood

1.
Apply the parking brakes.
2.
Release both hood hold-down latches by pulling the ends outward.
CAUTION
Do not let the hood free-fall to the full-open position. To do so could cause damage to the hood or hood straps.
3.
Using the bumper step and grab handle, slowly tilt the hood until the straps support it. See Fig. 3.7 .
Fig. 3.7, Hood Tilting

To Return the Hood

1.
Grasp the grab handle, and lift the hood to the 45-degree position.
2.
As the hood goes over center, the hood damper controls the rate of descent to the operating position.
3.
Make sure the hood is flush with the cowl, then secure the hood by engaging both hood hold-down latches.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that both hold-down latches are fully engaged before operating the vehicle.

Cab Amenities

Waste Bin

To remove the waste bin, slide the waste bin out as far as it will go. Reach in behind the bin and release the bin from the stops on the bin sides. Remove the bin. To install the bin, insert the bin onto the slides, and then slide the bin into place.

Cup Holders

The Columbia vehicle features two cup holders above the ash tray and waste bin on the center panel.

Ash Tray and Cigar Lighter

The driver's ash tray and cigar lighter assembly is on the center panel. The tray is removable.

Dash Storage Bin

The dash storage bin is located under the cup holders on the center panel. The bin has a hinged cover and can be used to store sunglasses.

Map Holder

An elastic-topped pouch is located above each door. These are intended for holding maps and other items.

Glove Box

Some vehicles have two glove boxes and two small overhead bins, all located in the overhead console assembly. See Fig. 3.8 . Above the sun visors on both the driver's and the passenger's sides are the glove boxes with latched doors or netted openings. In the middle section of the console assembly are two small bins. The driver's-side bin is often removed and replaced with a CB radio. The grille underneath this portion of the console allows the radio's speaker to be heard.
  • 1. Driver's Glove Box
  • 2. Driver's Overhead Storage Bin
  • 3. Passenger's Overhead Storage Bin
  • 4. Passenger's Glove Box
Fig. 3.8, Glove Boxes and Overhead Storage

Overhead Lights

Above both the driver's and the passenger's seats are three oval-shaped lights mounted to the bottom of the overhead console: a red light and two white lights. The red light is mounted nearest to the windshield. Each light is activated by pushing on the lens cover. Also, the center light, a white light, activates when the doors to the vehicle are opened.

Footwell Lights

There are optional red lights mounted underneath the dash on the driver's and the passenger's sides of the vehicle. These lights are activated by a rocker switch on the lower dash panel next to the climate control switches.

Windshield Washer Reservoir

The windshield washer reservoir is located on the left-hand side of the frontwall between the surge tank and the hood. See Fig. 3.9 .
  • 1. Surge Tank
  • 2. Washer Reservoir
  • 3. Drain
Fig. 3.9, Windshield Washer Reservoir