Automatic Transmission
Operation (Base)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
There are several different positions
for the automatic transmission.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-25. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-35.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You have to fully apply theregular brakes rst and then press
the shift lever button before you can
shift from P (Park) when the ignition
key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift
out of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever all
the way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the
shift lever button and move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting
Out of Park on page 2-27.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-27.
2-22 Features and Controls
ProCarManuals.com
N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle
is being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving with the automatic
transmission. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h),
push the accelerator all the
way down.Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding, see “Skidding” under
Loss of Control on page 4-12.
M (Manual):This position allows
you to change gears similar to a
manual transmission. If the vehicle
has this feature, see Manual
Shift Mode.
Notice:Spinning the tires
or holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Features and Controls 2-23
ProCarManuals.com
Do not use the Universal Home
Remote with any garage door
opener that does not have the stop
and reverse feature. This includes
any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Home Remote. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful
to have another person available to
assist you in the programming the
Universal Home Remote.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future Universal Home
Remote programming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale
of the vehicle, the programmed
Universal Home Remote buttons
should be erased for security
purposes. See “Erasing Universal
Home Remote Buttons” later in this
section.When programming a garage
door, park outside of the garage.
Park directly in line with and facing
the garage door opener motor-head
or gate motor-head. Be sure that
people and objects are clear of the
garage door or gate that is being
programmed.
It is recommended that a new
battery be installed in your hand-held
transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Home Remote System
For questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote System,
call 1-800-355-3515 or go to
homelink.com.
Programming a garage door opener
involves time-sensitive actions, so
read the entire procedure before
starting. Otherwise, the device will
time out and the procedure will have
to be repeated.To program up to three devices:
1. From inside the vehicle, press
and hold down the two outside
buttons at the same time,
releasing only when the Universal
Home Remote indicator light
begins to ash, after 20 seconds.
This step will erase the factory
settings or all previously
programmed buttons.
Do not hold down the buttons for
longer than 30 seconds and do
not repeat this step to program
the remaining two Universal
Home Remote buttons.
2-38 Features and Controls
ProCarManuals.com
If it stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, there is a brake
problem. Have the brake system
inspected immediately.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving,
a chime sounds. Pull off the road and
stop. The pedal might be harder to
push or go closer to the oor. It might
also take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-32.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light should come
on brie y as the engine is started. If it
does not come on have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
If the ABS light stays on longer than
a few seconds after engine is started,
or comes on and stays on while
driving, try resetting the system.
To reset the system:
1. While driving, pull over when it is
safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in P (PARK).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the ABS light remains on after
resetting the system or comes on
again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the ABS light is on,
but the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the antilock brakes are
not working properly, but the regular
brakes are still functioning. Have the
vehicle serviced right away. If both
brake lights are on, the vehicle does
not have antilock brakes, and there
is a problem with the regular brakes
as well. Have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-32.
3-32 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com