Automatic Transmission
P : This position locks the drive wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{ Warning
It is 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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park 0 188 and Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips 0 230.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. The regular brake must be fully applied first and then the shift lever button pressed before shifting from P (Park) when the ignition is in ON/ RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever, then push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift
192 DRIVING AND OPERATING lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting out of Park 0 189.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0 179.
N : In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{ Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution
A transmission hot message may display if the automatic transmission fluid is too hot. Driving under this condition can damage the vehicle. Stop and idle the engine to cool the automatic transmission fluid. This message clears when the transmission fluid has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving. If more power is needed for passing, press the accelerator pedal down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears, the transmission could be damaged. Have the vehicle serviced right away.
M : This position allows the driver to select the range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions.
DRIVING AND OPERATING 193 In M (Manual Mode) the transmission will shift as an automatic until the Tap Shift controls are used. Tap Shift activates driver manual gear selection. See Manual Mode 0 193.
Manual Mode Tap Shift
Tap Shift allows you to manually control the automatic transmission. To use Tap Shift, the shift lever must be in M (Manual Mode). The controls are on the back of the steering wheel. Tap the left control to downshift, and the right control to upshift. A Driver Information Center (DIC) message indicates the gear the vehicle is in. When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into 2 (Second) gear. A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
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