Gear Ranges

Do not depress the accelerator pedal when shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).

NOTE:

After selecting any gear range, wait a moment for 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 moving. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.

When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission into PARK. As an additional precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away from the curb when facing uphill.

When exiting the vehicle, always:

• Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into PARK.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Take the key fob with you.

• Never use the PARK position in place of the parking brake. Always fully apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle to prevent vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle may move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released. Before exiting, make sure the transmission is in PARK.
• The transmission may not engage PARK if the vehicle is moving. Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop before shifting into PARK, and make sure the transmission gear position indicator steadily displays PARK (P) without flashing. Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped and PARK is properly indicated before exiting the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if engine speed is above idle. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle may accelerate quickly forward or rearward. You may lose control of the vehicle and strike someone or something. Shift only when the engine is at idle and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended vehicle movement may injure those inside or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never leave the vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting the vehicle, always come to a complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to OFF. When the ignition is in OFF, the transmission is locked in PARK, protecting the vehicle from unwanted movement.
• When exiting the vehicle, always make sure the ignition is in OFF, take the Keyless Entry Fob with you and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children unattended in a vehicle is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Warn children not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal, or transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or where children can access it), and do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.

• Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must start the engine and depress the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector may result.
• DO NOT start the engine when shifting out of PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this may result in transmission damage.

Use the following indicators to confirm that you have correctly engaged PARK:

• When shifting into PARK, press the release button on the gear selector and firmly move the selector fully forward until it stops and locks into place.
• Check the transmission gear position display and confirm that it shows PARK (P) and is not flashing.
• With the brake pedal released, confirm that the gear selector does not move out of PARK.

REVERSE (R)

This range is used to move 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 stopped for an extended period with the engine running. Apply the parking brake and, if necessary, shift the transmission into PARK before exiting 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 shifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position provides optimal driving performance under all normal operating conditions.

When frequent shifting occurs (for example, when driving under heavy loads, in hilly terrain, into a strong headwind, or when towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift lever (if equipped) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear improves performance and extends transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.

At very low temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or below), transmission operation may vary depending on engine and transmission temperature and vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature rises to a suitable level.

MANUAL (M)

The MANUAL position (M, +/-) (next to the DRIVE position) enables full manual gear shift control (also known as AutoStick mode). Refer to Page 102. Moving the gear selector forward (-) or backward (+) in the MANUAL (AutoStick) position manually selects the transmission gear and displays the current gear in the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.