Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission may have a shift leverlocated either on the steering column or on the consolebetween the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It isthe best position to use when you start the enginebecause the vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly 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 on page 3-31. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-26.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) beforestarting the engine. The vehicle has an automatictransmission shift lock control system. You have to fullyapply the regular brakes before you can shift fromP (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. Ifyou cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on theshift lever. Push the shift lever all the way into P (Park)as you maintain brake application. Then move theshift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park onpage 3-32.
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D (Drive) can be used for towing. You may want to shiftthe transmission to 3 (Third) or, if necessary, to alower gear if the transmission shifts too often underheavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 5-26for more information.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normaldriving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more thanD (Drive) without using the brakes. You might choose3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly,winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is lessshifting between gears and when going down asteep hill.
2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed morethan 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed asyou go down steep mountain roads, but then youwould also want to use the brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not shift into 2 (Second) unless you aregoing slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you candamage the engine and/or transmission.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed evenmore than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You canuse it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle ismoving forward, the transmission will not shift into firstgear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle inone place on a hill using only the acceleratorpedal may damage the transmission. The repair willnot be covered by the vehicle warranty. If youare stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on ahill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Performance Shifting
If the vehicle has this feature, it can detect a change indriving patterns. If you make an aggressive drivingmaneuver, the vehicle’s transmission automatically shiftsto the lowest possible gear to maximize vehicleperformance. The vehicle will automatically return tonormal operation when you return to normal drivingpatterns.
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Console Shift
If the console shift cannot be moved out of P (Park)
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORYposition. SeeIgnition Positions on page 3-23formore information.
3. Push the shift lever all the way into P (Park).
4. Then, shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towingservice.
Column Shift
If the column shift cannot be moved out of P (Park)
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN orACC/ACCESSORY position. SeeIgnition Positionson page 3-23for more information.
3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the N (Neutral)position.
4. Move the column shift to the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towingservice.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{WARNING:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
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When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporarycondition, the message PARK ASSIST OFF will bedisplayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown onthe rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved intoR (Reverse). This occurs under the following conditions:
•The driver disables the system.
•The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 6-95.
•A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during thelast drive cycle, the red light may illuminate inthe rear display. Once the attached object isremoved, URPA will return to normal operation.
•A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
•The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
•Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or thecompression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled after driving forward atleast 25 km/h (15 mph), take the vehicle to yourdealer/retailer.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)system. Read this entire section before using the system.
{WARNING:
SBZA is only a lane changing aid and does not
replace driver vision. SBZA does not detect:
•Vehicles outside the side blind zones which
may be rapidly approaching.
•Pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals.
Failure to use proper care when changing lanesmay result in damage to the vehicle, injury, ordeath. Always check the outside and rearviewmirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use theturn signal before changing lanes.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blindzone, amber SBZA displays will light up in the sidemirrors. This indicates that it may be unsafe to changelanes. Before making a lane change, always checkthe SBZA display, check the outside and rearviewmirrors, look over your shoulder for vehicles andhazards, and use the turn signal.
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The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) system provides anaudible and visual alert if you approach a vehicletoo quickly that is directly ahead. FCA also provides avisual alert with no audible alert if you are followinganother vehicle much too closely. The FCA alert symbolis located on top of the instrument panel to the rightof the driver. FCA uses the Adaptive Cruise Controlradar to detect a vehicle directly ahead, in your path,within a distance of 328 ft (100 m) and operates atspeeds above 20 mph (32 km/h).
{WARNING:
FCA is only a warning system and does not apply
the brakes. When you are approaching a vehicle
or object too rapidly or when you are following a
vehicle too closely that is ahead of you, FCA may
not provide you with enough time to avoid a
collision. FCA is not designed to warn the driver of
pedestrians or animals. Your complete attention is
always required while driving and you should be
ready to take action and apply the brakes. For
more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 5-2.
The FCA control is locatedon the steering wheel.
To enable or disable FCA, press the Adaptive CruiseControl button. SeeAdaptive Cruise Control onpage 4-15.
4-7
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of approximately 40 km/h(25 mph) or more can be maintained without keepingyour foot on the accelerator. Cruise control does not workat speeds below about 40 km/h (25 mph). A cruise controllight appears in the instrument panel cluster when thecruise control is on.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise controlshuts off.
{WARNING:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not
use the cruise control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TractionControl System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin,the cruise control automatically turns off. SeeTractionControl System (TCS) on page 5-6. When roadconditions let you safely use it again, the cruise controlcan be turned back on.
Setting Cruise Control
{WARNING:
If you leave your cruise control on when you are
not using cruise, you might hit a button and go
into cruise when you do not want to. You could be
startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
4-12
The cruise control buttonsare located on left side ofthe steering wheel.
I(On):Turns on the cruise control system.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make thevehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
SET– (Set):Press to set the speed.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise control.
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, orif the master cylinder brake fluid level is low.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
The cruise light on the instrument panel cluster comeson after the cruise control has been set to the desiredspeed.
1. PressI.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET– button located on the steeringwheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speedand then the brakes are applied. This shuts off thecruise control. But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 40 km/h(25 mph) or more, press the +RES (resume/accelerate)button to return to the desired preset speed. Thecruise light displays again.
The vehicle returns to and stays at the preset speed. Ifyou press and hold the +RES button, the vehicle speedincreases until the button is released or the brake isapplied. Do not hold in the +RES button, if you do notwant the vehicle speed to increase.
4-13
application of the vehicle’s brakes. To disengage ACC,apply the brake. If no vehicle is in your path, thevehicle will react like traditional cruise control.
{WARNING:
Adaptive Cruise Control will not apply hard braking
or bring the vehicle to a complete stop. It will not
respond to stopped vehicles, pedestrians or
animals. When you are approaching a vehicle or
object, Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time
to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a collision.
Your complete attention is always required while
driving and you should be ready to take action and
apply the brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 5-2.
{WARNING:
•On winding roads, Adaptive Cruise Control
may not detect a vehicle ahead. You couldcrash into a vehicle ahead of you. Do not useAdaptive Cruise Control on winding roads.
•Adaptive Cruise Control may not have time to
slow your vehicle enough to avoid a crashwhen you are driving in conditions wherevehicles may suddenly slow or stop ahead ofyou, enter your lane, or cross your vehicle’spath. If you are driving in these conditions, donot use Adaptive Cruise Control. The warningbeep and alert symbol may indicate that youare driving in conditions where AdaptiveCruise Control should not be used. See“Alerting the Driver” in this section.
•On slippery roads, fast changes in tire traction
can cause needless wheel spinning, and youcould lose control. Do not use cruise controlon slippery roads.
WARNING: (Continued)
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