Automatic Transmission - Shifting Gear Ranges

Shifting Gear Ranges

Shifting Gear Ranges

Shifting Gear Ranges

To change between gear ranges, move the shift lever toward the passenger side.

This prevents unintended range changes by locking the lever against straight-line movement while the vehicle is in motion.

When moving the lever, follow the positions indicated by the black and/or white arrows.

: When shifting, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever toward the passenger side.

: When shifting, move the shift lever toward the passenger side.

: Press and hold the shift lever, and move it toward the passenger side while shifting.

: Free shifting.

Shift Lever Positions P, R and N
• P (PARK):

Locks the front wheels.

Shift into P only when the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is applied.
• R (REVERSE):

Shift into R only when the vehicle is stationary.
• N (NEUTRAL):

Transmission is in neutral.

• Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
• When leaving the vehicle, stop the engine, apply the parking brake, and remove the ignition key.
• Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.

Driving Ranges D, 4, 3, 2 and 1

• D4 or D:

This range is for all normal driving conditions. It allows shifting through all four (gasoline engines) or five (diesel engines) forward gears. Fourth (gasoline engines) or fifth (diesel engines) gear (overdrive) reduces engine speed and noise levels and improves fuel economy.
• 4 (2.0 SOHC diesel models only): Allows shifting through the first four gears, excluding overdrive. Range 4 can be used instead of D when driving on hilly or mountainous roads, in heavy city traffic at low speeds, and on long downhill grades.
• 3 (1.8 DOHC gasoline models only): Allows shifting through the first three gears, excluding overdrive. Range 3 can be used instead of D when driving on hilly or mountainous roads, in heavy city traffic at low speeds, and on long downhill grades.
• 2:

Allows shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and prevents automatic upshift to 3rd, 4th (gasoline engines) and 5th gear (diesel engines).

Shift to range 2 when additional power is required when driving uphill and for engine braking on steep downhill grades.
• 1 (gasoline 1.6/1.8 DOHC engine models only) This position locks the transaxle in first gear.

Shift to range 1 when maximum engine braking is required on very steep downhill grades.