Eight–Speed Automatic Transmission
Your vehicle is equipped with a state of the art, fuel
efficient eight-speed transmission. The electronic shift
lever in this vehicle does not slide like a conventional
shifter. Instead, the shift lever is spring loaded and moves
forward and rearward, always returning to the center
position after each gear is selected. The transmission gear
(PRND) is displayed both on the shift lever and in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). To select a
gear range, press the lock button on the shift lever and
move the lever rearward or forward. You must press the
brake pedal to shift the transmission out of PARK, or to
shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds (refer to
“Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this sec-
tion). To shift past multiple gear ranges at once (such as
PARK to DRIVE), move the lever past the first (or second)
detent. Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
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.
The transmission shift lever provides PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, DRIVE and SPORT shift positions. Once in
the DRIVE range, tapping the shift lever rearward will
toggle between SPORT mode and DRIVE 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 shift paddles mounted on the steering
wheel. Pressing the shift paddles (-/+) while in the
404 STARTING AND OPERATING
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must start the engine, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift lever could
result.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
• When shifting into PARK, press the lock button on the
shift lever and push the lever all the way forward until
it stops. When released, the lever will return to the
center position.
• With brake pedal released, look at the transmission
gear position display and verify that it indicates the
PARK position. REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
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.
408 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, or a
transfer case motor temperature protection condition
exists, a “For 4x4 Low Slow Below 3 mph (5 km/h) Put
Trans in “N” Press 4 Low” message will flash from the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
4WD LOW To 4WD HI
With the vehicle at speeds of 0 to 3 mph (0 to 5 km/h), the
ignition switch in the ON position or the engine running,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL, and press the
“4WD LOW” button once on the transfer case switch. The
“4WD LOW” indicator light in the instrument cluster
will flash and go out when the shift is complete. NOTE:
•
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, or a transfer
case motor temperature protection condition exists, a
“For 4x4 High Slow Below 3 mph (5 km/h) Put Trans
in N Press 4 Low” message will flash from the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
• Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped; however, difficulty may
occur due to the mating clutch teeth not being prop-
erly aligned. Several attempts may be required for
clutch teeth alignment and shift completion to occur.
The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling 0 to
3 mph (0 to 5 km/h). If the vehicle is moving faster
than 3 mph (5 km/h), the transfer case will not allow
the shift.5
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Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear drive shafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the engine running.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into “N”. 4. If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift™ air suspen-
sion, ensure the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
5. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press and hold the recessed transfer case “N” button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the
“N” symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress.
The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the
shift to “N” is complete. A “FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message will display on the
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING
6. After the shift is completed and the “N” light stays on,release the “N” button.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement. NOTE:
If shift conditions/interlocks are not met, a “To
Tow Vehicle Safely, Read Neutral Shift Procedure in
Owners Manual” message will flash from the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into “N”.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419
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 NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the engine running.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
4. If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift™ air suspen- sion, ensure the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height. 5. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press and hold
the recessed transfer case “N” button (located by the
selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the
N symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress. The
light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to
“N” is complete. A “FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
IN NEUTRAL” message will display on the EVIC
(Electronic Vehicle Information Center). Refer to “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 531
6. After the shift is completed and the “N” light stays on,release the “N” button.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement. 9. Shift the transmission back into “N”
10. With the transmission and transfer case in “N”, press
and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the
engine turns off. Turning the engine off will auto-
matically place the transmission in PARK.
11. Press the ENGINE STOP/START button again (with- out pressing the brake pedal), if needed, to turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position.
12. Firmly apply the parking brake.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
532 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
•Steps 1 through 4 are requirements that must be met
before pressing the “N” button, and must continue to
be met until the shift has been completed. If any of
these requirements are not met before pressing the “N”
button or are no longer met during the shift, then the
“N” indicator light will flash continuously until all
requirements are met or until the “N” button is re-
leased.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. 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 “N” position indicator light indicates that
shift requirements have not been met. •
If the vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift™ air
suspension, the engine should be started and left
running for a minimum of 60 seconds (with all the
doors closed) at least once every 24 hours. This process
allows the air suspension to adjust the vehicle’s ride
height to compensate for temperature effects.
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 con- nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 533