The electronically-controlled trans-
mission provides a precise shift sched-
ule. 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 de-
velop within a few hundred kilome-
ters.
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 be-
tween these gears.
Standard Shifter
The standard shift lever has PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, 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,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, andSPORT 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 AutoStick® shift con-
trol (refer to "AutoStick®" in this sec-
tion). Pressing the shift paddles (-/+)
while in the DRIVE or SPORT posi-
tion will manually select the transmis-
sion gear, and will display the current
gear in the instrument cluster as 8, 7,
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
GEAR RANGES
DO NOT race the engine when shift-
ing 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 ac-
celerating. This is especially im-
portant when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
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 shift the transmission into PARK
first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the
parking brake before shifting the
transmission to PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels to-
ward the curb on a downhill grade
and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a
substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
203
NOTE: Even if the transmission
can be reset, we recommend that
you visit your authorized dealer at
your earliest possible conve-
nience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to deter-
mine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required.
FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION – 3.0L
DIESEL ENGINE
The transmission gear position dis-
play (located in the instrument clus-
ter) indicates the transmission gear
range. You must press the brake pedal
to move the shift lever out of PARK
(refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To
drive, move the shift lever from PARK
or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled trans-
mission provides a precise shift sched-
ule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first
few shifts on a new vehicle may be
somewhat abrupt. This is a normalcondition, and precision shifts will de-
velop within a few hundred kilome-
ters.
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 be-
tween these gears.
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
(-/+) (for versions/markets, where
provided), 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 shift-
ing 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 ac-
celerating. This is especially im-
portant 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. Transmis-
sion gear engagement may be delayed
after restarting the engine if the igni-
tion is not cycled to the OFF position
first.
Transmission Shift Lever
207
WARNING!(Continued)
Never leave children alone in avehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of rea-
sons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren 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 acces-
sible to children), and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-
Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever outof PARK, you must place the ig-
nition from the LOCK/OFF posi-
tion to the ON/RUN position, and
also press the brake pedal. Other-
wise, damage to the shift lever
could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEU-
TRAL into another gear range, as
this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be
used to ensure that you have engaged
the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
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 transmission gear posi- tion display and verify that it indi-
cates the PARK position.
With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever will not move out
of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle
backward. Shift into REVERSE only
after the vehicle has come to a com-
plete 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 transmis-
sion 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 prac-
tices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions.
You might lose control of the ve-
hicle and have a collision.
209
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(fifth gear). The transmission will au-
tomatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
The shift lever is in the DRIVE po-sition.
Vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
AUTOSTICK® (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive
transmission feature providing
manual shift control, giving you more
control of the vehicle. AutoStick® al-
lows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall ve-
hicle performance.
This system can also provide you with
more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and
many other situations.
OPERATION – 3.6L ENGINE
When the transmission is in DRIVE or
SPORT mode, it will operate auto-
matically, 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 cur-
rent 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, 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
possible (based on current vehicle
speed and gear). Lack of accelera-
tor pedal activity will cause the
transmission to revert to automatic
operation.
If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode, manual gear selec-
tion will be maintained until either
SPORT mode is exited or as de-
scribed below. The transmission
will not upshift automatically at
redline in this mode, nor will down-
shifts 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 current gear.
Tapping the (+) paddle (at a stop)
will allow starting in second gear.
After a stop, the driver should
manually upshift (+) the transmis-
sion as the vehicle accelerates.
211
If a requested downshift wouldcause the engine to over-speed, that
shift will not occur.
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
To disengage AutoStick® mode, press
and hold the (+) shift paddle until
“D” or “S” is once again indicated 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 en-
gine braking on a slippery surface.
The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal in-
jury.
OPERATION – 3.0L DIESEL
ENGINE
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
(+/-), for versions/markets, where
provided. 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 cur-
rent 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, for versions/
markets, where provided), unless an
engine lugging or overspeed condition
would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or
downshift is chosen, except as de-
scribed below.
The transmission will automati-
cally upshift when necessary to pre-
vent engine over-speed. If the accelerator is fully depressed,
the transmission will downshift
when possible (based on vehicle
speed and gear).
The transmission will automati- cally downshift as the vehicle slows
(to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
The transmission will automati- cally downshift to first gear when
coming to a stop. After a stop, the
driver should manually upshift (+)
the transmission as the vehicle is
accelerated.
You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear. Tapping (+) (at
a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is
helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is engaged.
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick® is
engaged.
212
To disengage AutoStick® mode, hold
the shift lever to the right or press and
hold the (+) shift paddle (for
versions/markets, where provided)
until “D” is once again indicated 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 en-
gine braking on a slippery surface.
The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal in-
jury.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
(AWD) (for versions/
markets, where provided)
This vehicle is equipped with an ac-
tive on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) system which makes available
optimum traction for a wide variety of
road surface and driving conditions.
The system minimizes wheel slip byautomatically redirecting torque to
the front and rear wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD
vehicle automatically defaults to rear-
wheel drive (RWD) when road and
environmental conditions are such
that wheel slip is unlikely to occur.
When specific road and environmen-
tal conditions require increased levels
of road traction, the vehicle automati-
cally shifts into AWD mode. Auto-
matic AWD operation could be acti-
vated by outside temperature, wheel
slip, or other predetermined condi-
tions (there may be a slight delay for
AWD engagement after a wheel slip
condition occurs). AWD can also be
manually selected by moving the shift
lever into the AutoStick® mode (+/-)
(for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) or activating the windshield
wipers for an extended period of time.
Drive mode, RWD or AWD, is dis-
played momentarily in the Electronic
Vehicle Information 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 message ap-
pears after engine start up, or dur-
ing 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 dif-
ferential and/or the transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY
SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered,
wet, or other slippery surfaces may
cause the driving wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenom-
enon occurs when there is a difference
in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
213
CAUTION!(Continued)
Driving through standing watermay cause damage to your vehi-
cle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids
(i.e., engine oil, transmission,
axle, etc.) for signs of contamina-
tion (i.e., fluid that is milky or
foamy in appearance) after driv-
ing through standing water. Do
not continue to operate the ve-
hicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in
further damage. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine.
Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
WARNING!
Driving through standing waterlimits your vehicle’s traction ca-
pabilities. Do not exceed 8 km/h
when driving through standing
water.
Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s braking ca-
pabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after
driving through standing water,
drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to
dry the brakes.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are se-
rious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an
electro-hydraulic power steering sys-
tem that will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of ma-
neuverability in tight spaces. The sys-
tem will vary its assist to provide light
efforts while parking and good feel
while driving. If the electro-hydraulic
power steering system experiences a
fault that prevents it from providing
power steering assist, then the system
will provide mechanical steering ca-
pability.
CAUTION!
Extreme steering maneuvers may
cause the electrically driven pump
to reduce or stop power steering
assistance in order to prevent dam-
age to the system. Normal opera-
tion will resume once the system is
allowed to cool.
If the “SERVICE POWER
STEERING SYSTEM”
message and a flashing icon
are displayed on the EVIC
screen, it indicates that the vehicle
needs to be taken to the dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost
power steering assistance. Refer to
215
“Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further
information.
If the “POWER STEERING SYSTEM
OVER TEMP” message and an icon
are displayed on the EVIC screen, it
indicates that extreme steering ma-
neuvers may have occurred, which
caused an over temperature condition
in the power steering system. You will
lose power steering assistance mo-
mentarily until the over temperature
condition no longer exists. Once driv-
ing conditions are safe, then pull over
and let vehicle idle for a few moments
until the light turns off. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation.NOTE:
Even if power steering assis-
tance is no longer operational, it
is still possible to steer the ve-
hicle. Under these conditions
there will be a substantial in-
crease in steering effort, espe-
cially at very low vehicle speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for ser-
vice.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully applied
and place the shift lever in the PARK
position.
The foot operated parking brake is
located below the lower left corner of
the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park
brake pedal fully. To release the park-
ing brake, press the park brake pedal
a second time and let your foot up as
you feel the brake disengage. When the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch in the ON
position, the “Brake Warning Light”
in the instrument cluster will illumi-
nate.
NOTE:
When the parking brake is ap-
plied and the transmission is
placed in gear, the “Brake Warn-
ing Light” will flash. If vehicle
speed is detected, a chime will
sound to alert the driver. Fully
release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
This light only shows that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake ap-
plication.
Parking Brake
216