WARNING!(Continued)
When leaving the vehicle, alwaysremove the key fob and lock your
vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, 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 in the ACC or
ON/ RUN position. A child could
operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
KEY IGNITION PARK
INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a Key
Ignition Park Interlock which re-
quires the transmission to be in PARK
before the engine can be turned off. This helps the driver avoid inadver-
tently leaving the vehicle without
placing the transmission in PARK.
This system also locks the transmis-
sion in PARK whenever the ignition
switch is in the OFF position.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION
SHIFT INTERLOCK
SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake
Transmission Shift Interlock System
(BTSI) that holds the shift lever in
PARK unless the brakes are applied.
To shift the transmission out of PARK,
the ignition switch must be turned to
the ON/RUN position (engine run-
ning, for vehicles with 8-speed trans-
mission) and the brake pedal must be
pressed.
In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal
must also be pressed to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE
when the vehicle is stopped or moving
at low speeds.
EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION – 3.6L
ENGINE
Your vehicle is equipped with a state
of the art, fuel efficient eight-speed
transmission. The electronic shift le-
ver in this vehicle does not slide like a
conventional shifter. Instead, the shift
lever is spring loaded and moves for-
ward and rearward, always returning
to the center position after each gear is
selected. The transmission gear range
(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 rear-
ward or forward. You must also press
the brake pedal to shift the transmis-
sion 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 section). 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.
202
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
WARNING!(Continued)
Your vehicle could move and in-jure you and others if it is not 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 nor-
mally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Unintended movement of a ve-hicle could injure those in or near
the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle
while the engine is running. Be-
fore exiting a vehicle, always ap-
ply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into PARK, turn the
engine OFF, and remove the key
fob. When the ignition is in the
OFF position, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the ve-
hicle against unwanted move-
ment.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key fob and lock your
vehicle.
(Continued)
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.
204
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever outof PARK, you must start the en-
gine, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, 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, 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 its home posi-
tion.
With brake pedal released, look at the transmission gear position dis-
play 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 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.
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 Disabled Vehicle” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most
city and highway driving. It provides
the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The
transmission automatically upshifts
through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum
driving characteristics under all nor-
mal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting
occurs (such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into
strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the AutoStick®
shift control (if equipped) or the LOW
205
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
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, 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 asubstitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
Your vehicle could move and in- jure 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 transmis-
sion 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 nor-
mally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Unintended movement of a ve-hicle could injure those in or near
the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle
while the engine is running. Be-
fore exiting a vehicle, always ap-
ply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into PARK, turn the
engine OFF, and remove the key
fob. When the ignition is in the
OFF position, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the ve-
hicle against unwanted move-
ment.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key fob and lock your
vehicle.
(Continued)
208
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
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