D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the
best fuel economy. If more power
is needed for passing, and the
vehicle is:
•Going less than 35 mph
(56 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
Powertrain Braking
(V8 and V6 Engines)
When driving on steep descents
in D (Drive) or M (Manual Mode)
where frequent braking is required,
the transmission will shift down a
gear to help hold vehicle speed and
reduce brake wear. If the driver
continues to press the brake, the
transmission will downshift until
3 (Third) gear is reached.
If the brake is released for some
time, the transmission will upshift a
gear. If the road levels out and theaccelerator pedal is pressed, the
transmission will upshift until the
appropriate gear is reached.
4 (Fourth) Gear Hold (V6 Engine)
If, during highway driving, you
wish to pass another vehicle, but
then change your mind (quickly
pushing the accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor and then
immediately releasing the pedal),
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear and then upshift to 4 (Fourth).
This leaves the transmission
prepared with increased
responsiveness for additional driver
input. The passing maneuver can
then be resumed from 4 (Fourth)
gear, or 4 (Fourth) gear hold can
be canceled by lightly pressing
on the accelerator pedal.
Notice:If the vehicle seems
to accelerate slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive the vehicle that
way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.M (Manual Mode):This position
engages Sport Mode and allows
the driver to select the range
of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions.
In M (Manual Mode) the
transmission will shift as an
automatic until the Tap Shift
controls are used. Tap Shift
activates driver manual gear
selection.
While driving in M (Manual Mode),
if Tap Shift has not been activated,
the transmission determines when
the vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner and will select
and hold the transmission in lower
gears and have more noticeable
upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance.
SeeManual Mode on page 8-29
for more information.
8-28 Driving and Operating
Manual Mode
Tap Shift
Tap Shift allows the driver to
manually control the automatic
transmission. To use Tap Shift, the
shift lever must be in M (Manual
Mode). Vehicles with this feature
have flags on the top of the steering
wheel to indicate to the driver the
location of the switches on the back
of the steering wheel. Tap the leftswitch to downshift, and the right
switch to upshift. A display in the
Driver Information Center will show
which gear the vehicle is in.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4-27for more information.
While using the Tap Shift feature,
the vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting for increased performance.
You can use this for sport driving or
when climbing or descending hills, to
stay in gear longer, or to down shift
for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow
you to shift into gears appropriate
for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher
gear if the engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the message Shift Denied
will appear in the DIC, indicating
that the transmission has notshifted gears. While in the Tap
Shift mode, the transmission will
not automatically downshift on
hard acceleration.
When coasting to a stop, the
V6 transmission will automatically
downshift to 1 (First) gear, and the
V8 transmission will automatically
downshift to 2 (Second) gear.
A 1 (first) gear start can be selected
using the Tap Shift controls on
V8 models When accelerating from
a stop the transmissions will hold
these gears until the driver manually
selects higher gears using the Tap
Shift controls.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you
to gain more traction on slippery
surfaces.
Driving and Operating 8-29
Manual Transmission
Shift Pattern (V8 Engines)
Shift Pattern (V6 Engine)
These are the shift patterns for the
six-speed manual transmissions.To operate the transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and
shift into 1 (First). Then slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 64 km/h
(40 mph). If you come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into
1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift
into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth)
and 6 (Sixth):Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the
same way you do for 2 (Second).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The shift
lever is in Neutral when it is centered
in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
R (Reverse):To back up, press
down the clutch pedal and shift
into R (Reverse). On V8 models,
apply pressure to get the lever
past 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
8-30 Driving and Operating
Press and release the StabiliTrak/
TCS button and the traction control
system turns off and the TCS
warning light comes on. Press and
release the button again to turn the
system back on. For information on
turning StabiliTrak off and on, see
StabiliTrak System following.
Launch Control (V8 with
Manual Transmission
Models Only)
Launch Control uses a form of
traction control specifically tuned to
optimize tire spin while launching the
vehicle during closed track events
and competitive driving. The feature
is activated when the vehicle is at
rest while in Competitive Mode.
SeeCompetitive Driving Mode on
page 8-37for more information.
At rest, if the accelerator pedal is
pressed to the floor with the clutch
engaged, the RPM is limited to a
predetermined level. A smooth, quick
release of the clutch while keeping
the accelerator pedal on the floor
will provide controlled wheel spin for
consistent acceleration. Complete
shifts as described inManual
Transmission on page 8-30.When in Competitive Mode the
StabiliTrak Off light comes on the
instrument panel cluster. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeCompetitive
Driving Mode on page 8-37for more
information.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 9-3
for more information.
Driving and Operating 8-35
Competitive Driving Mode is
designed and recommended for
use only during closed track events
and at competitive driving venues.
The TCS system uses engine and
brake systems to control wheel spin
during acceleration and cornering
while the StabiliTrak system helps
maintain directional control of
the vehicle by selective brake
application.
When the StabiliTrak button is
pressed again, or the vehicle is
restarted, the StabiliTrak and TCS
will be turned back on to normal
operation.
Notice:When traction control
is turned off, or Competitive
Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If youattempt to shift with the drive
wheels spinning with a loss of
traction, it is possible to cause
damage to the transmission.
Do not attempt to shift when the
drive wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered. See the
warranty book for additional
information.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear
axle can give more traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works
like a standard axle most of the time,
but when traction is low, this feature
allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle
can maintain a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator.
Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
{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.
8-38 Driving and Operating
•Vehicles with automatic
transmissions can tow in D (Drive)
but M (Manual Mode) is
recommended. See “Manual
Mode” inAutomatic Transmission
on page 8-26for more
information. Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is better not
to use the highest gear.
•Use the cruise control when
towing.
•Obey speed limit restrictions.
Do not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers, or no more than 90 km/h
(55 mph), to reduce wear on the
vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer weight.
The vehicle is now longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires and mirror
adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working.
During the trip, check regularly to
be sure that the load is secure, and
the lamps and trailer brakes are
working properly.
Towing with a Stability
Control System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
8-50 Driving and Operating
A. Parking/Turn Signal Lamp
B. Halogen Headlamp
3. Disconnect the wiring harness
and turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out from the
socket.5. Push the new bulb into the
socket and reinstall the socket
into the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
6. Reconnect the electrical
connector.
7. Pull the duct back out of the
air cleaner/filter housing until
the tabs snap the duct back
into position.Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps (Up-Level Vehicle)
The up–level model vehicle has a
HID headlamp and a turn signal
lamp on the headlamp assembly.
The park lamp is also the function
of the HID headlamp. SeeHigh
Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting
on page 9-37for more information.To replace the turn signal bulb:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
on page 9-5.
2. Press in on the tabs located on
the sides of the duct and then
push the duct rearward into the
air cleaner/filter housing.
9-38 Vehicle Care
3. Disconnect the wiring harness
and turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out from the
socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the
socket and reinstall the socket
into the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
6. Reconnect the electrical
connector.
7. Pull the duct back out of the
air cleaner/filter housing until
the tabs snap the duct back
into position.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
The up-level model vehicle may
have daytime running lamps which
would be located on the facia.
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Locate the bulb assembly under
the front facia.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb
assembly and pull out the
bulb assembly.3. Push in the new bulb assembly
to lock it into place.
4. Reconnect the electrical
connector to the bulb assembly.
The base model vehicle daytime
running lamps are the low beam
on the halogen headlamp. If one
these lamps fail, seeHeadlamps,
Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps (Base Vehicle) on page 9-37
orHeadlamps, Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps (Up-Level Vehicle)
on page 9-38for replacement
information.
Vehicle Care 9-39