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2-24
Upshifting and downshifting of the transmission is
automatically modified to prevent undesired shifting
when your vehicle is towing a trailer or when you
are driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. This is
also normal.
Sport Mode Button
For a firmer shift and
increased performance,
you may choose the sport
mode. This button lets
you change from a normal
driving mode to a sport
driving mode. It is located
on the shift lever handle.
Press the ªSº button once to select the sport feature.
Press it again to return to the normal driving mode.When you start the engine, your vehicle will be in
normal mode. For general driving conditions, use the
normal mode. It will remain in normal unless you select
the sport feature.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will come
on when the sport mode
is selected.
If this light begins flashing while you are driving, there
may be a fault in the automatic transmission. Have your
vehicle serviced.
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2-25 Third-Gear Start
Press this button to provide
more traction when you are
starting on ice or other
slippery surfaces. It only
operates when the shift
lever is in DRIVE (D).
The button is located
next to the shift lever on
the console.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) when the vehicle
begins to move. After starting in THIRD (3), the vehicle
will upshift normally.
This feature is for improved traction only when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Drive as usual for normal road conditions.This feature automatically turns off when any of the
following conditions occur:
When the ignition is turned off.
If the shift lever is placed in PARK (P), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2), or FIRST (1).
If you press and hold the accelerator pedal past its
resistance point for more than two seconds.
When speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h).
Once the vehicle reaches 67 mph (108 km/h).
To turn this feature off, press the button again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, the transmission
is in the normal mode.
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2-26
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located on the center console
between the front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake
lever. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.If you start to drive with the parking brake set, the
BRAKE warning light stays on. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº in the Index for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your foot and pull the parking brake lever up until
you can press the end release button. Hold the release
button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause the
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. This section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
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2-27
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move,
even when you're on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you're pulling a trailer,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Pull the button on the shift lever handle up
and then push the shift lever all the way toward
the front of your vehicle into PARK (P).
Release the button.
With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake.
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2-28
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the ignition key and take it with you.
If you can leave your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without pressing the
button on the shift lever handle. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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2-29
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver's door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of step 8.
3. With both hands, squeeze the base of the shift lever
boot (covering) together as shown.
4. Pull the upper part of the base out first and then slide
out the lower part of the base.
5. Lift the shift lever boot (covering) up to move it out
of your way.
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2-30
6. At the bottom of the shift lever, you will see a
yellow tab. With one hand, push the tab to unlock
the shift lever.
7. Shift to NEUTRAL (N) with the other hand.
8. Start the engine (if you can) and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
9. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down
to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)