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. 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).
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. With the vehicle on, fully apply the regular brake, then press the button on the shift lever before shifting from P (Park).
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 lever button and move the shift lever into another gear.
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 Stuc.
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.
If the vehicle is stopped on a hill, with your foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle may roll. This is normal and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy and performance. Use the brake to hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use the accelerator pedal.
L : This position gives you access to gear ranges. This provides more engine braking but lower fuel economy than D (Drive). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
Operating Modes : The transmission may operate in a lower gear than normal to improve vehicle performance. The engine speed may be higher and there may be an increase in noise during the following conditions:
- When climbing a grade
- When driving downhill
- When driving in hot temperatures, or at high altitude
Manual Mode
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the top-gear limit of the transmission and the vehicle's speed while driving downhill or towing a trailer. The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. When using the ERS mode a number will display next to the L, indicating the highest gear available for the range selected.
To use this feature:
1. Press the shift lever button and move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press + (Plus) or − (Minus) on the shift lever to increase or decrease the gear range available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to L (Low), the transmission will shift to a pre-determined lower gear range. The highest gear available for this pre-determined range is displayed next to the L in the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0 95 or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0 98.
The number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that the transmission will be allowed to operate in. This means that all gears below that number are available.
For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are automatically shifted by the vehicle. The transmission will not shift into 5 (Fifth) until the + (Plus) button is used or you shift back into D (Drive).
While in L (Low), the transmission will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. You have a brief period of time to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is not reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. You must further slow the vehicle, then press − (Minus) to the desired lower gear range.
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