AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK.
IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park Interlock which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to the OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid inadvertently leaving the vehicle without placing the transmission in PARK. This system also locks the transmission in PARK whenever the ignition is in the OFF mode.
NOTE:
The transmission is NOT locked in PARK when the ignition is in the ACC mode (even though the engine will be off). Ensure that the transmission is in PARK, and the ignition is OFF (not in ACC mode) before exiting the vehicle.
BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a BTSI that holds the transmission gear selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of PARK, the engine must be running and the brake pedal must be pressed. The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The transmission gear range is displayed both on the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To select a gear range, push the lock button on the gear selector and move the selector rearward or forward. To shift the transmission out of PARK, the engine must be running and the brake pedal must be pressed. You must also press the brake pedal to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds. Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
NOTE:
- The transmission electronics are self-cali- brating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles (kilome- ters).
- In the event of a mismatch between the gear selector position and the actual transmission gear (for example, driver selects PARK while driving), the position indicator will blink continuously until the selector is returned to the proper position, or the requested shift can be completed.
The electronically-controlled transmission adapts its shift schedule based on driver inputs, along with environmental and road conditions.
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and MANUAL (AutoStick) shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control. Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL (AutoStick) position (beside the DRIVE position) will manually select the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster
Automatic Transmission Gear Selector
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed forward) it is probably in the MANUAL (AutoStick, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE position). In MANUAL (AutoStick) mode, the transmission gear is displayed in the instru- ment cluster (as M1, M2, M3, etc.). Move the gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
- Apply the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission into PARK.
- Turn the ignition OFF.
- Remove the key fob from the vehicle.
- Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK (P) position, and is not blinking.
- With the brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running.
Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears.
The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control (if equipped) to select a lower gear page 102. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or below), transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE position) enables full manual control of transmission shifting (also known as AutoStick mode) page 102. Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL (AutoStick) position will manually select the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all. Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:
NOTE:
In cases where the instrument cluster message indicates the transmission may not re-engage after engine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired location (preferably, at an authorized dealer).
- Stop the vehicle.
- Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
- Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns off.
- Wait approximately 30 seconds.
- Restart the engine.
- Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.
NOTE
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. An autho- rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to assess the condition of your transmission. If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is required.
AutoStick — If Equipped
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature providing manual shift control, giving you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations.
Operation
In AutoStick mode, you can use the gear selector (in the MANUAL position), or the shift paddles to the MANUAL (M) position (beside the DRIVE (D) position), or tap one of the shift paddles on the steering wheel. Tapping the (-) shift paddle to enter AutoStick mode will downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while tapping (+) to enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear. The current transmission gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Paddle Shifters
- (–) Shift Paddle
- (+) Shift Paddle
NOTE:
- Tapping one of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-), if equipped, while the gear selector is in DRIVE, will activate a temporary AutoStick mode. Tapping (-) to enter AutoS- tick mode will downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while tapping (+) to enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear. The current gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster, but the “M” will not be highlighted. The transmission will revert back to normal operation (if the gear selector remains in DRIVE) after a period of time, depending on accelerator pedal activity.
- In some models, the shift paddles may be disabled (or re-enabled, as desired) using Drive Mode Set-Up, accessed by selecting Performance Control.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-) is manually selected by the driver (using the gear selector, or the shift paddles [if equipped]), unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition would result. It will remain in the selected gear until another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as described below.
- If normal AutoStick mode is engaged (gear selector in MANUAL position), manual gear selection will be maintained until the gear selector is returned to DRIVE, or as described below. The transmission will not upshift auto- matically at redline in this mode, nor will downshifts be obtained if the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor.
- The transmission will automatically down- shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will display the current gear.
- The transmission will automatically down- shift to FIRST gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.
- You can start out, from a stop, in FIRST or SECOND gear. Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in SECOND gear. Starting out in SECOND gear can be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
- If a requested downshift would cause the engine to over-speed, that shift will not occur.
- The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed and an indication will display.
- Holding the (-) paddle pressed (if equipped), or holding the gear selector in the (-) position, will downshift the transmission to the lowest gear possible at the current speed.
- Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick is enabled.
- The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector to the DRIVE position, or press and hold the (+) shift paddle (if equipped, and the gear selector is already in DRIVE) until “D” is once again indicated in the instrument cluster. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick mode at any time without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Download Manual