For 1990-2009 cars

If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, the shift lever is located on the console between the seats.

The vehicle may also have an electronic shift position indicator that displays the position of the shift lever. This indicator is located above the trip odometer on the instrument panel cluster.

P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when the engine is started 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 .

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. The regular brakes must be applied before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park) while holding the brake pedal down, see Shifting Out of Park.

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 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.

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.

Notice: If the vehicle seems to start up rather slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive the vehicle that way, you could damage the transmission. Have the vehicle serviced right away.

3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than D (Drive). Here are some times you might choose 3 (Third) instead of D (Drive):

• | When driving on hilly, winding roads.

• | When going down a steep hill.

2 (Second): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. Use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control the vehicles speed as you go down steep mountain roads, while using the brakes off and on.

Notice: Driving in 1 (First) for more than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transmission. Also, shifting into 1 (First) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in 3 (Third) or D (Drive) instead of 1 (First).

1 (First): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than 2 (Second). Use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in 1 (First), the transmission does not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

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.

### Winter Driving Mode

This feature helps you accelerate in slippery driving conditions by using 3 (Third) gear when you begin to accelerate from a stopped position.

The winter driving mode button is located on the center console.

Press once to turn on the winter driving mode feature. The vehicle will be in 3 (Third) gear when the vehicle begins to move. Once the vehicle is moving, the vehicle will upshift normally.

The Winter Driving Mode is turned off by one of the following:

• | Pressing the winter driving mode button again.

• | Manually shifting to 2 (Second) or 1 (First) gear.

• | Turning off the ignition.

To protect the transmission, the winter program turns off automatically at high transmission oil temperatures.

### Automatic Neutral Idle

The Automatic Neutral Idle shift function automatically sets the transmission to N (Neutral) to reduce fuel consumption when the vehicle is not moving.

Automatic neutral is activated when ALL of the following occurs:

• | The selector lever is in D (Drive), 3 (Third), 2 (Second) or 1 (First) gear.

• | The foot brake is pressed.

• | The vehicle is stopped.

• | The accelerator pedal is not pressed.

• | The transmission fluid temperature is greater than 0° C (32° F).

• | The road is not steeper than 15°.

When you release the brake with the transmission in gear, you may feel the transmission shift from N (Neutral) to D (Drive) automatically. You may also feel the transmission shift from D (Drive) to N (Neutral) when the brake is applied. This is normal operation of the automatic transmission.

### Downhill Grade Assist

When traveling down steep grades the transmission may automatically downshift into a lower gear when the brake is applied. You may feel this downshift. This performance feature of the automatic transmission assists with engine braking to reduce wear on your brake system. This is normal operation of the automatic transmission.

### Performance On Demand

This feature allows the driver to automatically force a downshift, when traveling at speeds less than approximately 70 mph (112 km/h), by fully pressing the accelerator pedal.