The following indicators should be used to en-
sure that you have properly engaged the trans-
mission into the PARK position:
• When shifting into PARK, push the lock but-
ton on the gear selector and firmly move the
selector all the way forward until it stops and
is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position display
and verify that it indicates the PARK position
(P), and is not blinking.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the
PARK position (when pushed forward), it is
probably in the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside
the DRIVE position). In AutoStick mode, the
transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in
the instrument cluster. Move the gear selector to
the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for access
to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
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. Ap-
ply the parking brake and shift the transmission
into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are
unsafe practices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions. You might
lose control of the vehicle and have a colli-
sion.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for
any other reason with the transmission in
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission
damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Ve-
hicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest up-
shifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-
shifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing a
heavy trailer), select TOW mode (refer to
“Selec-Track” in “Starting And Operating”) or
use the AutoStick shift control (refer to
“AutoStick” in this section for further information)
to select a lower gear. Under these conditions,
using TOW mode or a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmission opera-
tion may be modified depending on engine and
transmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. This feature improves warm up time of
the engine and transmission to achieve maxi-
mum efficiency. Engagement of the torque con-
verter clutch is inhibited until the transmission
fluid is warm. 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; refer to “AutoStick” in this section for
further information). 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.
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