
Briefly, press the selector lever in the ªD +º direction and
the transmission will shift from the current gear to the
next higher gear.
Press and hold the selector lever in the ªD +º direction
and the transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear ªD.º
WARNING!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.
You could lose control of your vehicle and have an
accident.
Delayed Shifts in Cold Temperatures
During cold temperature operation, you may notice
delayed upshifts depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency.
Temporary Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could result in transmission
damage, the transmission will engage Limp Home Mode.
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in
the Limp Home Mode. In this mode, the transmission
will remain in the current gear until the vehicle is
brought to a stop. After the vehicle has stopped, P (Park),
R (Reverse), and N (Neutral) will continue to operate.
Second gear will operate in the D (Drive) shifter position.
The Malfunction Indicator Light may be illuminated.
A reset feature is available to allow the vehicle to be
driven to a dealer for service. To reset the transmission,
use the following procedure:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
STARTING AND OPERATING 199
5

6. Move the selector lever to the desired range. If the
problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit a dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
Have the transmission checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.
Permanent Transmission Limp Home Mode
Permanent Limp Home Mode will be activated if the
transmission enters temporary Limp Home Mode three
times. Follow the reset procedure described under ªTem-
porary Transmission Limp Home Modeº in this section.
In Permanent Limp Home Mode, P (Park), R (Reverse),
and N (Neutral) will continue to operate. Second gear
will operate in the D (Drive) shifter position. The mal-
function indicator light may illuminate.
AUTOSTICKT
Autosticktis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting to provide you with more control of
the vehicle. Autosticktallows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutostickTOperation
By placing the selector lever in the D (Drive) position, it
can be moved from side to side. This allows the driver to
select a higher or lower range of gears. Moving the
selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a downshift and to
the Right (+) an upshift. The gear position will display in
the instrument cluster on the transmission range indica-
tor.
NOTE:
²
In Autosticktmode, the transmission will only shift
up and down when the driver manually moves the
selector lever Right (D+) or Left (D-).
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªCheck Gascapº message will display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). If this occurs, tighten
the fuel filler cap properly and press the odometer reset
button to turn off the message. If the problem continues,
the message will appear the next time the vehicle is
started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
Refer to ªOnboard Diagnostic Systemº in Section 7 of this
manual for more information.
VEHICLE LOADING
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is shown on
the ªVehicle Certification Label.º This information
should be used for passenger and luggage loading as
indicated.
If the seatbacks are folded for carrying cargo, do not
exceed the specified GVWR and GAWR.
Vehicle Certification Label
Your vehicle has a certification label attached to the rear
of the driver's door.
The label contains the following information:
²Name of manufacturer
²Month and year of manufacture
²Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
²Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front
²Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear
²Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
²Type of Vehicle
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indicator
Lightº on could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before
any emissions tests can be performed.
If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur. Im-
mediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªCheck Gascapº message will display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð if equipped. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
odometer reset button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level Check
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks are not
required. For this reason, the dipstick is omitted.
If you notice fluid loss or gear shift malfunction, have
your authorized dealer check the transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
²Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer's recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufac-
turer will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Partsº for the correct fluid type.
²The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating con-
ditions. If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit
your authorized dealer immediately. Severe dam-
age to the transmission may occur. Your autho-
rized dealer has the proper tools to adjust the
fluid level accurately.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Normal Usage Ð No change necessary
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
35 Ð 5 Amp
OrangeAmplifier - if equipped/
Antenna/Ignition
Delay/Overhead
Console/Passenger Door
Lock & Express Power
Window Switch - if
equipped/Power Mir-
rors - if equipped/Rear
Defrost
36 Ð 20 Amp
YellowHands Free Phone - if
equipped/Media System
Monitor DVD - if
equipped/Radio/
Satellite Receiver - if
equipped
37 Ð 15 Amp
BlueTransmission - NAG1
38 Ð 5 Amp
OrangeCargo Light/Overhead
Console
39 Ð 10 Amp
RedHeated Mirrors - if
equippedCavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
40 Ð 10 Amp
RedHeated Seats - if
equipped/Inside Rear-
view Mirror
41 Ð 10 Amp
RedTire Pressure Monitoring
- if equipped
42 30 Amp
PinkÐ Front Blower Motor
43 30 Amp
PinkÐ Amplifier - if equipped/
Antenna/Rear Defrost
44 20 Amp
BlueÐ Amplifier - if equipped/
Front Control Module
(FCM)/Sunroof - if
equipped
*Cavities 11, 12, and 13 contain self-resetting fuses
(circuit breakers) that are only serviceable by an autho-
rized dealer. The Cluster is fused by the 25 amp circuit
breaker in Cavity 11. The Passenger Seat Switch is fused
by the 25 amp circuit breaker in Cavity 12. The Door
Modules and the Driver Express Power Window Switch
(if equipped) are fused by the 25 amp circuit breaker in
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE