The transmission shift lever has only PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift posi-
tions. Manual downshifts can be made using
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
(refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS) Opera-
tion” in this section). Moving the shift lever to the
left or right (-/+) while in the DRIVE position will
select the highest available transmission gear,
and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 4, 3, 2, 1.Gear RangesDO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:
•After selecting any gear range, wait a
moment to allow the selected gear to
engage before accelerating. This is espe-
cially important when the engine is cold.
• If there is a need to restart the engine, be
sure to cycle the ignition to the OFF
position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after
restarting the engine if the key is not
cycled to the OFF position first.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be
started in this range. Never attempt to use
PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the
parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. When parking on a level surface, you may place
the shift lever in PARK first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of
PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and
away from the curb on an uphill grade.
WARNING!
•
Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and pos-
sible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not completely in PARK.
Check by trying to move the shift lever out
of PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
Shift Lever
227
WARNING!(Continued)
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally
and your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with
all vehicles, you should never exit a ve-
hicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK
turn the engine OFF, and remove the key
fob. When the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF
position, the shift lever is locked in PARK,
securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat-
tended is dangerous for a number of rea-
sons. A child or others could be seriously
or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the shift lever.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-
dren), and do not leave Keyless Enter-N-
Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN position. A
child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the shift lever out of PARK,
you must turn the ignition switch from the
OFF position to the ON/RUN position, and
also press the brake pedal. Otherwise,
damage to the shift lever could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear
range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the shift lever
into the PARK position:
• When shifting into PARK, firmly move the
shift lever all the way forward and to the left
until it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the shift lever position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the
shift lever will not move out of PARK.
228
•If there is a need to restart the engine, be
sure to cycle the ignition to the OFF
position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after
restarting the engine if the key is not
cycled to the OFF position first.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be
started in this range. Never attempt to use
PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the
parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place
the shift lever in PARK first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the shift lever
out of PARK. As an added precaution, turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and pos-
sible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not completely in PARK.
Check by trying to move the shift lever out
of PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally
and your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with
all vehicles, you should never exit a ve-
hicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK
turn the engine OFF, and remove the key
fob. When the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF
position, the shift lever is locked in PARK,
securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat-
tended is dangerous for a number of rea-
sons. A child or others could be seriously
or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the shift lever.
(Continued)
232
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-
dren), and do not leave Keyless Enter-N-
Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN position.
A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the shift lever out of PARK,
you must turn the ignition switch from the
OFF position to the ON/RUN position, and
also press the brake pedal. Otherwise,
damage to the shift lever could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear
range, as this can damage the drivetrain. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the shift lever
into the PARK position:
•
When shifting into PARK, firmly move the
shift lever all the way forward and to the left
until it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the shift lever position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the
shift lever will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward.
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
engine may be started in this range. Apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are
unsafe practices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions. You might
lose control of the vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for
any other reason with the transmission in
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission
damage. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
233
•This light only shows that the parking
brake is applied. It does not show the
degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. Apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make
it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied
whenever the driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a substi-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and pos-
sible injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the ignition and lock your
vehicle. Never leave children alone in a
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the shift lever.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-
dren), and do not leave the ignition of a
vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-
Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN position. A
child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disen-
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
lead to brake failure and a collision.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Always fully apply the parking brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury. Also be certain to
leave the transmission in PARK. Failure to
do so may allow the vehicle to roll and
cause damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on with
the parking brake released, a brake system
malfunction is indicated. Have the brake
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
251
CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Inter-
nal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a dolly is used when
recreational towing.
• Tow only in a forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe dam-
age to the transfer case.
• The transmission must be in PARK for
recreational towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the
procedure outlined under “Shifting into
NEUTRAL (N)” to be certain that the trans-
fer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). Other-
wise, internal damage will result.
• Failure to follow these procedures can
cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on
tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face
bar will be damaged. Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the trans-
fer case in the NEUTRAL (N) position with-
out first fully engaging the parking brake. The
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) position disen-
gages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to move, even if the transmission is in PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEU-
TRAL (N) before recreational towing to pre-
vent damage to internal parts. 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shift
the transmission into PARK.
2. Turn the engine OFF.
3. For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, re-
move the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ button and use
the key fob to complete this procedure. Refer to
“Installing and Removing the ENGINE START/
STOP Button/Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Start-
ing and Operating” how to remove the Keyless
Enter-N-Go™ button.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN po-
sition, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
288
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/
RUN position for a shift to take place and
for the position indicator lights to be op-
erable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take
place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indica-
tor light indicates that shift requirements
have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving
it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF
position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN po-
sition, but do not start the engine. 6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object, press and hold the recessed transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the se-
lector switch) for one second.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required
to avoid gear clash.
9. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns
off, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
10. After the NEUTRAL (N) button has been
released, the transfer case will shift to the
position indicated by the selector switch.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK.
12. Release the brake pedal.
13. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
14. Start the engine.
15. Press and hold the brake pedal.
16. Release the parking brake.
17. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release
the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle
operates normally.
18.
The Keyless Enter-N Go™ button (if
equipped) may now be reinstalled if desired. Refer
to “Starting Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in
“Starting and Operating” for further information.NEUTRAL (N) Switch
290
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
•HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ....................294
• IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ....................294
• JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ...................295
•Jack Location ............................. .295
• Spare Tire Stowage ......................... .295
• Preparations For Jacking ...................... .295
• Jacking Instructions ......................... .296
• Road Tire Installation ......................... .299
•JUMP-STARTING .............................300•Preparations For Jump-Start .................... .300
• Jump-Starting Procedure ...................... .301
•FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .....................302
• TOW EYES .................................303
• SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ........................304
• TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ....................304
•Without The Key Fob ......................... .306
• Four-Wheel Drive Models ...................... .306
293