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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Driving with a 6–speed automatic transmission
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage while coasting or decelerating. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
engine while decelerating. This fuel economy benefit may be perceived
as a light to medium braking sensation when removing your foot from
the accelerator pedal.
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy. The
adaptive transmission shift strategy offers the optimal transmission
operation and shift quality. When the engine is turned off, the shift data
which includes the adaptive information will be stored automatically in
the powertrain control module (PCM). If the battery is disconnected for
any reason, the stored information from the last time the key was turned
to off will be read. This way, no information will be lost with any battery
removal or battery disconnect.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Start the engine.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop.
2. Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park).
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position 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).
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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) standard mode
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
D (Drive) with grade assist
Press the transmission control
switch on the side of the shift
handle to activate grade assist.
•This position allows for gears 1–5
and provides increased engine
braking.
•Grade assist lamp is illuminated.
•Use with driving conditions such
as hilly terrain, heavy loads,
trailer towing and when engine
braking is required.
•To return to standard mode, press the transmission control switch.
The grade assist lamp will not be illuminated.
•Standard mode is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
3 (Third)
This position allows for third gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•To return to D (Drive), move the transmission shift lever into the D
(Drive) position.
•Selecting 3 (Third) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to third gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
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2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to D (Drive) without overdrive or 3 (Third), move the
transmission shift lever into the D (Drive) or 3 (Third) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
1 (First)
This position allows for first gear only.
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Will not downshift into first gear at high speeds; will cause the
transmission to downshift to a lower gear, then allows for first gear
when the vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Drive).
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
Manual transmission vehicles have a starter interlock that prevents
cranking the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully pressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
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2. Press the clutch pedal to the
floor, then put the gearshift lever in
the neutral position.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press the brake pedal and move
the gearshift lever to the desired
gear; 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
5. Release the parking brake, then slowly release the clutch pedal while
slowly pressing on the accelerator.
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully pressed to the floor.
Make sure the floor mat is properly positioned so it doesn’t interfere with
the full extension of the clutch pedal.
Failure to fully press the clutch pedal to the floor may cause
increased shift efforts, prematurely wear transmission
components or damage the transmission.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will severely reduce the life of the clutch and
could nullify a clutch warranty claim.
Recommended shift speeds
Do not downshift into 1 (First) when your vehicle is moving
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h). This may damage the clutch and/or
transmission.
Upshift according to the following charts.
For the 3.7L V6 with 2.73 axle ratio, shift according to the following
chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
135
24R
6
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3. Shift into R (Reverse) by pushing
the gearshift knob down, then
moving the lever fully to the left,
then forward.
Note:The gearshift lever can only be moved to R (Reverse) by pushing
the knob down before shifting to reverse. This is a lockout feature which
protects the transmission from accidentally engaging R (Reverse) when
intending to select 1 (First).
If R (Reverse) is not fully engaged, press the clutch pedal down and
return the gearshift to the neutral position. Release the clutch pedal for
a moment, then press it down and shift to R (Reverse) again.
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, hold the clutch pedal down, then shift
into 1 (First).
3. Turn the ignition off.
WARNING:Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the
parking brake fully.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the reverse sensing system as
contained in this section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat
surface at “parking speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the
function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false
activation.
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WARNING:Objects in the blind spot mirror are closer than they
appear.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
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The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
1 30A Driver rear window (convertible
only)
2 15A Not used (spare)
3 15A SYNC
4 30A Passenger rear window
(convertible only)
5 10A Brake transmission shift interlock
(BTSI)
6 20A Turn signals, Hazard flashers
7 10A Left low beam headlamp
8 10A Right low beam headlamp
9 15A Courtesy lamps
10 15A Switch illumination
Roadside Emergencies
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If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
1 80A* Passenger compartment fuse
panel
2 — Not used
3 — Not used
4 30A* Blower motor relay
5 20A* Powerpoint (body)
6 40A* Rear defroster
7 40A* Cooling fan relay
8 40A* Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
pump
9 30A* Wipers
10 30A* ABS valve
11 — Not used
12 — Not used
13 20A** Fuel pump relay (non-Shelby)
25A** Fuel pump relay (Shelby only)
Roadside Emergencies
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