The vehicle will have one of these styles of shifter located in the center console between the seats.

P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.

Caution: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.

Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park . If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer .

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must apply the regular brake first, then press the shift lever button before shifting from P (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Press the shift lever button and then move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park later in this section.

R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.

Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.

N (Neutral): 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.

Caution: Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.

Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.

D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are:

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see "Skidding" under Loss of Control.

Notice: If your vehicle seems to accelerate slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could damage the transmission. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in L (Low) when you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then.

3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without using the brakes. Here are some times you might choose 3 (Third) instead of D (Drive):

L (Low): This position reduces vehicle speed more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use L (Low) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed going down steep mountain roads along with using the brakes off and on. You can use L (Low) on very steep hills, in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is in L (Low), the transmission will not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

Notice: Driving in LOW (L) for more than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transmission. Also, shifting into LOW (L) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of LOW (L).

Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.

M (Manual Mode): This position allows you to change gears similar to a manual transmission. If the vehicle has this feature, see Manual Shift Mode (MSM) following.

Manual Shift Mode (MSM)

To use this feature,

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward and then to the right into the M (Manual Mode).

While driving in manual mode, the transmission will remain in the driver selected gear.

2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.

The odometer display on the instrument panel cluster will change from vehicle mileage to the letter M, for manual shift mode, and a number indicating the requested gear range when moving the shift lever forward or rearward. See Speedometer and Odometer for more information.

While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have firmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (RPM):

If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or detects a problem with the transmission, the range of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will come on. See Malfunction Indicator Lampfor more information.

Driver Shift Control (DSC)

To use this feature,

1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward to MANUAL (M).

While driving in manual mode, the transmission will remain in the driver selected gear. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will automatically shift into FIRST (1) gear.




2. Press the + (plus) paddle located on top of the steering wheel controls forward to upshift, or push the backside of the shift paddle rearward to downshift.

The Driver Information Center (DIC) in the instrument cluster will change from the currently displayed message to the letter "M", For MANUAL position, and a number indicating the requested gear range when moving the shift lever forward or rearward.

While using the DSC feature the transmission will have firmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (RPM):

2 (Second)/3 (Third) Gear Start Feature

Notice: If you attempt a third gear start while trailering or towing a heavy load, you will notice reduced engine power. This could overheat and damage your transmission. Do not attempt a third gear start while trailering or towing your vehicle.

Vehicles with a 6-speed transmission allow 2 (Second) and 3 (Third) gear starts. When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into 2 (Second), or 3 (Third) gear. A higher gear, and light application of the gas pedal, may allow you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.

With the MSM, the vehicle can accelerate from a stop in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third).

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the M (Manual Mode) position.
2. With the vehicle stopped, move the lever forward towards the + (plus) to select 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) gear. The vehicle will start from a stop position in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) gear.
3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired drive gear.