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Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever, it
features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, but
not locked, there will be a small current drain on your
battery which could discharge your battery over a period
of time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition in
OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you
disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent
discharging your battery.
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PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is 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.
Don't leave your 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 your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be
free to roll
-- even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P)
-- if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL. See ªFour-Wheel
Drive (Automatic Transfer Case)º in the Index.
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. 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 key is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
(press the button in on the console shift lever) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in the Index.
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Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position
like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmission
Operationº 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. You must
press the shift lever button on the shift lever.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release
the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling
a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
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Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the radio speaker grill.
Be sure it is not covered or the system will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer
than the delay.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is
off. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See ªDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)º later in
this section for more information
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on, the driver's door
is opened and your ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY. To turn the chime off, turn the control all
the way to the left or turn the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel down to the fully dimmed
position. In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off
once the ignition key is in OFF.
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Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your parking lamps must be on for your fog
lamps to work.
The fog lamp button is located on the instrument panel
near the lamp control.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. Press the
button again to turn them off. A light will glow in the
button when the fog lamps are on.
Fog lamps will go off whenever your high
-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off, the
fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
driver's side of the instrument panel next to the exterior
lamps control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to make your instrument panel
lights brighter. Turn the thumbwheel all the way up to
turn on the interior lamps. To dim the instrument panel
lights, turn the thumbwheel down.
Illuminated Entry
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated
entry feature.
When a door is opened, the dome lamps will come on if
the DOME OVERRIDE button is in the out position.
When the doors are closed, or the front door handles are
lifted and released, the lamps will stay on for a short
period of time and will turn off automatically. If you use
your keyless entry transmitter (if equipped) to unlock
your vehicle, the interior lamps will come on for a short
time whether or not the DOME OVERRIDE button is in
the out position.
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Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. If the DOME OVERRIDE
button is in the out position, these lamps will stay on for
a short period of time and then will go out.
Front Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the button located near each lamp on the overhead
console to turn a reading lamp on and off. The lamps
can be swiveled to point in the desired direction.
If you have the mini console, press the lens on each
lamp to turn it on or off.
Front Map Lamps (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has front map lamps, they are located on
the inside rearview mirror. They will automatically come
on for approximately 40 seconds when the doors are
unlocked with the keyless entry transmitter (if equipped)
or until the ignition key is turned to RUN or
ACCESSORY. The lamps will also stay on for
approximately 40 seconds after you exit the vehicle unless
you lock the doors with the keyless entry transmitter.
You can also turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
button near each lamp.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the exterior lamps control,
all the way up to the top position. In this position, the
dome lamps will remain on until they are turned off.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the exterior lamp control, to set the dome lamps
to come on automatically when a door is opened, or to
remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the button in.
With the button in , the dome lamps will remain off
when a door is open. To return the lamps to automatic
operation, press the button again and return it to the out
position. With the button in this position, the dome
lamps will come on when you open a door. This will
override the illuminated entry feature, unless you use
your keyless entry transmitter (if equipped) to unlock
the vehicle.
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Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, vanity,
reading, glove box and underhood lamps if they are left
on for more than 20 minutes when the ignition is off.
This will keep your battery from running down.
If the battery run
-down protection shuts off the interior
lamps, it may be necessary to do one of the following to
return to normal operation:
Shut off all lamps and close all doors, or
turn the ignition key to RUN.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce glare
from headlamps behind you after dark. Push the tab
away from you for normal daytime operation.