Page 224 of 323

WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Switch the ignition off and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
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 position.
D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
D (Drive) with Overdrive Cancel and Grade Assist
Initially, moving the lever to (M)
activates two features at the same
time: Over Drive Cancel and Grade
Assist. The message center display
on the instrument cluster will show
D and the overdrive cancel and
grade assist lamp will illuminate.
1. Overdrive Cancel
•Overdrive is deactivated.
•The transmission operates in gears one through five.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
224 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 226 of 323

Understanding your SelectShift™ Automatic Transmission
gearshift lever (SST)
This vehicle is equipped with a
SelectShift™ Automatic
Transmission (SST) gearshift lever.
SST is an automatic transmission
with the ability for the driver to
change gears up or down (without a
clutch) as desired. By moving the
gearshift lever from drive position
(D) to the right into Manual (M)
you now have control of selecting
the gear you desire.
Initially when moving the lever to
the manual mode (M), the message
center display on the instrument
cluster will show D and the O/D
OFF lamp will illuminate. This mode
is Overdrive Cancel and Grade
Assist. Only by moving the lever in the forward (-) or backward (+)
position will the transmission utilize the manual mode for select shifting.
To manually downshift the transmission:
1. Move the gearshift lever forward to (-).
2. Release the lever, and it will return to the M position. The
transmission will downshift.
To manually upshift the transmission:
1. Move the gearshift lever rearward into (+).
2. Release the lever, and it will return to the M position. The
transmission will upshift.
When selecting the appropriate gear in SST mode, the message center
display on the instrument cluster will show the current selected gear you
are in.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
226 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 230 of 323

The system defaults toenabledevery time the ignition is switched on.
Press the control to disable or enable the system
Keep the sensors (located on the front and rear bumper/fascia)
free from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean
the sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the sensing system.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the front or rear
bumper/fascia, leaving it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may
be altered causing inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false
alarms.
REAR-VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear-view camera system,
located on the trunk just above the
license plate, provides a video image
which appears on the navigation
screen of the area behind the
vehicle. It adds assistance to the
driver while reversing or reverse
parking the vehicle.
To use the reverse camera system,
place the transmission in R
(Reverse); an image will display on
the navigation system screen. The
area displayed on the screen may
vary according to the vehicle
orientation and/or road condition.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
Always use caution while backing.
Objects in the red zone are closest to your vehicle and objects in the
green zone are further away. Objects are getting closer to your vehicle as
they move from the green zone to the yellow or red zones.
Use the side mirrors and rear view mirror to get better coverage on both
sides and rear of the vehicle.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
230