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When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to the desired gear.
The gearshift positions are displayed on the floor console next to the
gearshift lever and on the instrument cluster.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift lever is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
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R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.
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Drive 5 (Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
Drive 4 (Drive)
Transmission operates in gears one
through four. Drive 4 (Drive)
provides engine braking in 4th gear
and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep
hills.
²additional engine downhill
braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while
you towin theTrailer Towing
section of this chapter.
Upshifts into Overdrive can be made
by shifting to D5. Selecting 4
(Drive) at higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to 4th gear.
Selecting D4 from lower speeds will cause the transmission to upshift at
the proper speed.
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3 (Third)
Transmission operates in third gear
only. Selecting 3 (Third) provides
engine braking.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
4 (Drive) or 5 (Overdrive). Selecting
3 (Third) at higher speeds causes
the transmission to shift to a lower
gear, and will shift to 3 (Third) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
3 (Third), 4 (Drive) or 5
(Overdrive). Selecting 2 (Second) at
higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower gear,
and will shift to 2 (Second) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
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1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
2 (Second), 3 (Third), 4 (Drive) or
5 (Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower gear,
and will shift to 1 (Low) after
vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission with the Select
Shift Transmission (SST) shifter (if equipped)
Your automatic transmission electronically controls the shift feel by using
an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to increase
durability, and provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. It
is normal for a new transmission to shift firmly. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Once the vehicle is at operating temperature it may take
several shifts at the same operating condition for the transmission to
properly adapt. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. The more varied the driving habits, speed and
torque, the longer it may take to adapt but the more complete the
process will be.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
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Understanding gearshift positions
The Select Shift Transmission (SST) shifter allows the driver to select
between the transmission's automatic shift mode or the manually
selected shift mode.
Automatic shift mode
When in the automatic shift mode
(D5 position), the 5±speed
automatic transmission operates like
a typical automatic transmission.
Pull the gearshift lever towards you
and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Refer toDriving with a 5±speed
automatic transmissionin this
chapter for Park, Reverse, Neutral,
D5 and D4 information.
Manual shift mode
With the gearshift lever in D5
(Overdrive), the gearshift lever can
be moved to the right and into the
manual shift mode. The transmission
will remain in the manual shift mode
until the gearshift lever is moved
back to D5 (Overdrive).
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+ and - position operation
These positions allow the driver to
manually select the appropriate
upshift (+) or downshift (-) and
gear range.
²Can only be entered from the D5
(Overdrive) shift position.
²Gear ranges 1±5 provide the same
function and ratio as found in the
D5 or D4 automatic mode
positions.
²The transmission will not upshift
or downshift unless the gearshift
lever is moved forward or
rearward.
²One tap forward (+) will
commandthe transmission to upshift one gear range.
²One tap rearward (-) willcommandthe transmission to downshift one
gear range.
²Upshifts are allowed at any vehicle speed.
²2 (Second) gear is normally used for start-up. A 3 (Third) gear
start-up will be allowed only if selected. All other selection(s) will
revert to 2 (Second) gear.
²If the driver starts in 2 (Second) gear and does not pass a throttle
angle of 60%, the transmission will remain in 2 (Second) gear. No
automatic upshift will occur.
²If the driver passes the 60% throttle angle, a 2±1 kickdown will occur,
scheduled by the processor as used in D5. Once the 2±1 kickdown has
occurred, the transmission will remain in 1 (First) gear until 2
(Second) gear is manually selected by moving the gearshift lever. No
automatic upshift will occur.
²Once a 2±1 kickdown has occurred, manually shifting in and out of 1
(First ) gear is allowed until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
²A shift to 1 (First) with the vehicle at a stop is never allowed.
²When downshifting at normal road speeds, the transmission will only
allow a downshift into thenext lowergear.
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²If the gearshift lever is moved into the downshift (-) position more
than once in rapid succession, the transmission will only allow a
downshift into thenext lowergear to prevent possible engine and/or
transmission damage. Once the vehicle reaches below a specified entry
speed for the next lower gear, the transmission will allow another
downshift to occur if selected by the driver.
Recommended Shift Speeds
Upshift according to the following charts:
Recommended upshifts when accelerating
Select Shift V6 3.0L
Shift from:
1-2 n/a
2 - 3 39 km/h (24 mph)
3 - 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 - 5 69 km/h (43 mph)
Recommended upshifts when cruising
Select Shift V6 3.0L
Shift from:
1-2 n/a
2 - 3 29 km/h (18 mph)
3 - 4 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Recommended upshifts when accelerating
Select Shift V8 3.9L
Shift from:
1-2 n/a
2 - 3 34 km/h (21 mph)
3 - 4 51 km/h (32 mph)
4 - 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
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