2010 GMC SAVANA shift gear

B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the position in which
you can operate things like the radio and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows (if equipped)
These features will work when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned
from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, power to the radio will
continue to work 10 minutes or until the driver door is
opened. The power windows will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes or until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
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{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 3-36. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-26.
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 5-16.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly 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.
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D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. 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) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next
gear and has more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load or driving on steep hills. You might want
to shift the transmission to a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding. See Skidding underLoss of
Control on page 5-9.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that adjusts
the transmission shifting to the current driving conditions
in order to reduce rapid upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to determine, before
making an upshift, if the engine is able to maintain vehicle
speed by analyzing things such as vehicle speed, throttle
position, and vehicle load. If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle speed cannot be
maintained, the transmission does not upshift and insteadholds the current gear. In some cases, this could appear
to be a delayed shift, however the transmission is
operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the
transmissions computer. The transmission constantly
makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being used, such as with
a heavy load or when temperature changes. During this
adaptive shift control process, shifting might feel different
as the transmission determines the best settings.
The shift quality of a new vehicle may not be ideal
because the Adaptive Shift Control process may not
have determined the best settings for a particular shift
or condition. Shift quality will improve with continued
driving.
When temperatures are very cold, the transmission’s
gear shifting could be delayed providing more stable
shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts could be more
noticeable with a cold transmission. This difference
in shifting is normal.
M (Manual Mode):This position lets drivers select
the range of gears appropriate for current driving
conditions. If the vehicle has this feature, see Range
Select Mode later in this section.
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3 (Third):This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of
D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill. See Range Select
Mode later in this section.
2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use the brakes off and on. See Range
Select Mode later in this section.
If you manually select 2 (Second) in an automatic
transmission, the transmission will start in second gear.
You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the
rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle from
a stop on slippery road surfaces.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed without
using the brakes. You can use it for major/severe
downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise
accelerate due to steepness of grade. When you shift
to 1 (First) it provides the lowest gear appropriate to
current road speed and continues to downshift as the
vehicle slows, eventually downshifting to 1 (First) gear.
The transmission can be held in 1 (First) gear using
Range Select Mode or the shift lever. See Range Select
Mode later in this section.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.
Range Selection Mode
The vehicle may have a Range Selection Mode.
The Range Selection Mode helps control the vehicle’s
transmission and vehicle speed while driving down hill or
towing a trailer by letting you select a desired range
of gears.
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To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus buttons, located on the
steering column shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selected a number displays
in the DIC next to the M indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear that can be used.
However, the vehicle can automatically shift to lower
gears as it adjusts to driving conditions. This means
that all gears below that number are available. When
5 (Fifth) is selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears
are automatically shifted by the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth)
cannot be used until the plus/minus button located
on the steering column lever is used to change to
the gear.Grade Braking is not available when Range Selection
Mode is active. SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 3-33.
While using Range Selection Mode, cruise control and
the Tow/Haul mode can be used.
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.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode can assist in vehicle acceleration
when road conditions are slippery. While the vehicle is
at a stop, select the second gear range using Range
Selection Mode. This will limit torque to the wheels after
it detects wheel slip, preventing the tires from spinning.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
(Four Speed Automatic
Transmission)
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because 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 3-36. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-26.
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 must first
press the brake pedal before you can shift from P (Park)
with the ignition 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 move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park on page 3-37.
3-31

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, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 5-16.
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.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly 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. 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) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 5-9.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normal driving.
However it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive)
without using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third)
instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads,
when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.
You should use 3 (Third) (or a lower gear as needed)
when towing a trailer to minimize heat build-up and
extend the life of the transmission.
3-32

2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use the brakes off and on.
You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle from a
stop on slippery road surfaces.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You
can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission will not shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
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.Tow/Haul Mode
Vehicles with an automatic transmission have a tow/haul
mode. The tow/haul mode adjusts the transmission shift
pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and transmission cooling
when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the tow/haul mode on and off by pressing the
button, located to the right of the steering wheel on
the instrument panel. When tow/haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
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