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change the way it shifts to help control the condition.
This may result in a slightly different feeling or response
during normal operation in ªDº (Drive) position. After
the transmission cools down, it will return to normal
operation.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the selector lever in the
ªPº (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position. To move the selector lever out of the ªPº
(Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned to the
ON position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
For electrical system malfunctions, there is an override
for the interlock system. In order to override this system
the key must be in the ignition with the switch in the
ACC or ON position. Remove the rubber storage tray
from the bin located to the right of the selector lever. The
override can be activated by pressing the pink-colored
Brake Interlock Override
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tab, which can be accessed through a hole inside the bin.
While the override is pressed, the shifter can be moved
out of the ªPº (Park) position without pressing the brake.
After operation, return the rubber storage tray to its
original position.
4 Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from ªDº (Drive) to ªPº (Park) or ªRº (Reverse)
(or from P or R to D) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.
Gear Ranges
ªPº (Park)
ªPº (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Selector Lever
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Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the ªPº (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in ªPº (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the ªPº (Park)
position:
²When shifting into ªP' (Park) move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
²Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the ªPº (Park) position.
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CAUTION!
Damage to the shifter could result if the selector lever
is moved out of ªPº (Park) before the ignition is
turned from the LOCK to ON position.
ªRº (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to ªRº (Reverse), except when rocking
the vehicle.
ªNº (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this range.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.
WARNING!
Do not coast in ªNº (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
ªDº (Overdrive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest up shifts and down
shifts, and the best fuel economy. Select the ª3º range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers.
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If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.
²Stop the vehicle and shift into ªPº (Park).
²Turn the key to LOCK then start the engine.
²Shift into ªDº (Drive) and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from ªDº (Drive) to ªPº (Park) or ªRº (Reverse)
(or from ªPº or ªRº to ªDº) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.
Selector Lever
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Gear Ranges
ªPº (Park)
ªPº (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the ªPº (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in ªPº (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.
WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the ªPº (Park)
position:
²When shifting into ªPº (Park) move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
²Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the ªPº (Park) position.
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CAUTION!
Damage to the shifter could result if the selector lever
is moved out of ªPº (Park) before the ignition is
turned from the LOCK to ON position.
ªRº (Reverse)
Shift into ªRº (Reverse) gear only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
ªNº (Neutral)
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage ªNº
(Neutral) position while driving except to coast when the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.
WARNING!
Do not coast in ªNº (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
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to the right for at least one second. The transmission will
now operate automatically, shifting between the five
available gears.
²You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis en-
gaged.
²The transmission will automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autosticktis engaged.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control.
The front wheels provide 38% of the torque, and the rear
wheels provide 62% of the torque. The system is auto-
matic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills
required.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
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