
2. Push the multifunction lever away from you (towardfront of vehicle) to engage the high beam mode.
NOTE: This system will not activate until the vehicle is
at or above 15 mph (30 km/h).
To Deactivate
1. Pull the multifunction lever toward you (or rearward in car) to manually deactivate the system (normal
operation of low beams).
2. Push back on the multifunction lever once again to reactivate the system.
Adaptive Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge
Headlights — If Equipped
This system automatically swivels the headlight beam
pattern horizontally to provide increased illumination in
the direction the vehicle is steering. NOTE:
•
Each time the Adaptive Headlight System is turned on,
the headlights will initialize by performing a brief
sequence of rotations.
• The Adaptive Headlight System is active only when
the vehicle is moving forward.
The Adaptive Headlight System can be turned On or Off
using the Uconnect® System, refer to “Uconnect® Set-
tings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
The LED Daytime Running Lights will come on when-
ever the ignition is placed in the RUN position, the
headlights are off, the transmission is moved out of
“Park” position, and the parking brake is off. The head-
light switch must be used for normal nighttime driving.
200 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
Standard Shifter
The standard shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and LOW shift positions. Using the LOW
position manually downshifts the transmission to a
lower gear based on vehicle speed.
Optional Shifter With AutoStick®
The optional shift lever (with AutoStick® shift paddles
mounted on the steering wheel) provides PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and SPORT shift positions.
Once in the DRIVE range, tapping the shift lever rear-
ward will toggle between SPORT mode and DRIVE
Shift Lever
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

mode. You do not need to press the shift lever button
when toggling between DRIVE and SPORT modes.
Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick® shift
control (refer to “AutoStick®” in this section). Pressing
the shift paddles (-/+) while in the DRIVE or SPORT
position will manually select the transmission gear, and
will display the current gear in the instrument cluster as
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Shifting From PARK To DRIVE
Firmly press the brake pedal, press the lock button on the
shift lever, then pull and hold the shift lever fully
rearward until “D” is displayed in the EVIC.
To shift back into PARK from DRIVE, bring the vehicle to
a complete stop, fully press the brake pedal, press the
lock button on the shift lever, then push and hold the
shift lever fully forward until “P” is displayed in the
EVIC.Shifting From REVERSE To NEUTRAL
Pull the shift lever rearward to the first detent and
release. “N” will display in the EVIC.
To shift back into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, firmly
press the brake pedal, press the lock button on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever forward to the first detent
and release. “R” will display in the EVIC.
Shifting From NEUTRAL To DRIVE
Firmly press the brake pedal, press the lock button on the
shift lever, then pull the shift lever rearward and release.
“D” will display in the EVIC.
To shift back into NEUTRAL from DRIVE, firmly press
the brake pedal, press the lock button on the shift lever,
then push the shift lever forward and release. “N” will
display in the EVIC.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 373

The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual shifts can
be made using the “AutoStick®” shift control (refer to
“AutoStick®” in this section). Moving the shift lever to
the left or right (-/+) while in the DRIVE position, or
tapping one of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
(-/+) (if equipped), will manually select the transmission
gear, and will display that gear in the instrument cluster
as 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 381

If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into Overdrive if the following con-
ditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
• vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
• the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
AUTOSTICK®
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to maximize en-
gine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and down-
shifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situa-
tions.
Operation – Eight-Speed Transmission – If
Equipped
When the transmission is in DRIVE or SPORT mode, it
will operate automatically, shifting between the eight
available gears. To engage AutoStick®, simply tap one of
the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-) while in
DRIVE or SPORT mode. Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick®
mode will downshift the transmission to the next lower
gear, while using (+) to enter AutoStick® mode will
retain the current gear. When AutoStick® is active, the
current transmission gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster. In AutoStick® mode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when (+/-) is manually selected by the
driver, unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

would result. It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as de-
scribed below.
•If AutoStick® is engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached. If the accelerator is fully
pressed, the transmission will downshift when pos-
sible (based on current vehicle speed and gear). Lack
of accelerator pedal activity will cause the transmis-
sion to revert to automatic operation.
• If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode,
manual gear selection will be maintained until either
SPORT mode is exited or as described below. The
transmission will not upshift automatically at redline
in this mode, nor will downshifts be obtained if the
accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor. •
In either DRIVE or SPORT mode, the transmission will
automatically downshift as the vehicle slows to a stop
(to prevent engine lugging) and will display the cur-
rent gear. Tapping the (+) paddle (at a stop) will allow
starting in second gear. After a stop, the driver should
manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle
accelerates.
To disengage AutoStick® mode, press and hold the (+)
shift paddle until “D” or “S” is once again displayed in
the instrument cluster. You can shift in or out of the
AutoStick® mode at any time without taking your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

Operation – Five-Speed Transmission
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the five available gears. To engage AutoStick®, simply
tap the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the
DRIVE position, or tap one of the steering wheel-
mounted shift paddles (+/-), if equipped. Tapping (-) to
enter AutoStick® mode will downshift the transmission
to the next lower gear, while using (+) to enter
AutoStick® mode will retain the current gear. When
AutoStick® is active, the current transmission gear is
displayed in the instrument cluster. In AutoStick® mode,
the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-) is
manually selected by the driver (using the shift lever, or
the shift paddles [if equipped]), unless an engine lugging
or overspeed condition would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or downshift is cho-
sen, except as described below.•
If AutoStick® is engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached. If the accelerator is fully
depressed, the transmission will downshift when pos-
sible (based on vehicle speed and gear).
• If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode,
manual gear selection will be maintained until either
SPORT mode is exited or as described below. The
transmission will not upshift automatically at redline
in this mode, nor will downshifts be obtained if the
accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows down (to prevent engine lugging) and
will display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 389

conditions require increased levels of road traction, the
vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic
AWD operation could be activated by outside tempera-
ture, wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there
may be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel
slip condition occurs). AWD can also be manually se-
lected by moving the shift lever into the AutoStick®
mode (+/-) or activating the windshield wipers for an
extended period of time. Drive mode, RWD or AWD, is
displayed momentarily in the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) in the gauge area of the vehicle
display when the transmission is first shifted into gear,
and if the drive mode changes during vehicle operation.
NOTE:If the “SERVICE AWD SYSTEM” warning mes-
sage appears after engine start up, or during driving, it
means that the AWD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the rear (driving) wheels.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391