Automatic Transmission
If equipped, there is an electronic shift lever position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display comes on when the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY, on or
service mode.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
See Driver Mode Control 0 244 and “Range Selection Mode” under Manual Mode 0 235.
P : This position locks the rear wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle has a heavy load, you might notice an increase in the effort to shift out of P (Park). See “Torque Lock” under Shifting Into Park 0 230.
R : Use this gear to back up.
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 0 216.
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.
Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
D : This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy. If more power is needed for passing, press the accelerator pedal down.
way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next gear and has more power.
Use D (Drive) and Tow/Haul Mode when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills, or driving off-road. Shift the transmission to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding. See “Skidding” under Loss of Control 0 210.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed to determine, before making an upshift, if the engine is able to maintain vehicle speed by analyzing things such as vehicle speed, throttle position, and vehicle load. If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission does not upshift and instead holds the current gear. In some cases, this could appear to be a delayed shift, however the transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift controls. The adaptive shift control process continually compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the transmission’s computer. The transmission
constantly makes adjustments to improve
vehicle performance according to how the vehicle is being used, such as with a heavy load or when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting might feel different as the transmission determines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the transmission's gear shifting could be delayed providing more stable shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts could be more noticeable with a cold transmission. This difference in shifting is normal.
L : This position allows selection of a range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions. If equipped, see “Range Selection Mode” under Manual Mode 0 235.
Electronic Range Select (ERS), or Manual Mode, allows for the selection of the range of gear positions. Use this mode when driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift position indicator within the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a number next to the L indicating the highest available gear.
To enter Electronic Range Select or Manual Mode:
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission will shift to a preset lower gear range. For this preset range, the highest gear available will be displayed next to the L in the DIC. All gears below that number are available to use. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap the right steering wheel control or shift into D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. If the vehicle speed is not reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the left steering wheel control to the desired lower gear range.
Cruise control can be used while in ERS.
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling. This provides increased performance, vehicle control, and enhanced transmission and engine cooling when driving down steep hills or mountain grades, when towing,
or when hauling heavy loads. See Driver Mode Control 0 244 to activate Tow/ Haul Mode.
For vehicles without Driver Mode Control, press the Tow/Haul button on the center stack.
If equipped with Active Hydraulic Assist, the vehicle will provide a stiffer steering response when Tow/Haul mode is engaged to provide enhanced steering functionality.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is only enabled while the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and the vehicle is not in the Range Selection Mode. See Manual Mode 0 235. Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking assists in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by using the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.
See Towing Equipment 0 276.
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