To engage REVERSE gear from the NEUTRAL
position, lift the REVERSE ring, located be-
low the knob and move the gear selector all
the way left and then forward.
Shifting
Fully press the clutch pedal before shifting
gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly
press the accelerator pedal.You should always use first gear when starting
from a standing position.
Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission effi-
ciently for fuel economy and performance, it
should be upshifted as listed in the recom-mended shift speed chart. Shift at the ve-
hicle speeds listed for acceleration. When
heavily loaded or pulling a trailer, these rec-
ommended up-shift speeds may not apply.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
All EnginesGear Selection 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
Accel. 24 (39) 34 (55) 47 (76) 56 (90)
Cruise 19 (31) 27 (43) 37 (60) 41 (66)
NOTE:
A certain amount of noise from the transmis-
sion is normal. This noise can be most notice-
able when the vehicle is idling in NEUTRAL
with the clutch engaged (clutch pedal re-
leased), but it may also be heard when driv-
ing. The noise may also be more noticeable
when the transmission is warm. This noise is
normal and is not an indication of a problem
with your clutch or transmission.Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear
is recommended to preserve brakes when
driving down steep hills. In addition, down-
shifting at the right time provides better ac-
celeration when you desire to resume speed.
Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels could lose their grip, and the ve-
hicle could skid.
STARTING AND OPERATING
148
CAUTION!
• Skipping gears and downshifting into
lower gears at higher vehicle speeds can
damage the engine and clutch systems,
Any attempt to shift into lower gear with
clutch pedal depressed may result dam-
age to the clutch system. Shifting into
lower gear and releasing the clutch may
result in engine damage.
• When descending a hill, be very careful
to downshift one gear at a time to pre-
vent overspeeding the engine which can
cause engine damage, and/or clutch
CAUTION!
damage, even if the clutch pedal is
pressed. If transfer case is in low range
the vehicle speeds to cause engine and
clutch damage are significantly lower.
• Failure to follow the maximum recom-
mended downshifting speeds may cause
the engine damage and/or damage the
clutch, even if the clutch pedal is
pressed.
• Descending a hill in low range with
clutch pedal depressed could result in
clutch damage.
Maximum Recommended Downshift Speeds
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the maximum recom-
mended downshifting speeds may cause
the engine to overspeed and/or damage the
clutch disc, even if the clutch pedal is
pressed.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
Gear Selection 6 to 5 5 to 4 4 to 3 3 to 2 2 to 1
Maximum Speed 80 (129) 70 (113) 50 (81) 30 (48) 15 (24)
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or
downshift at too high of a vehicle speed,
these conditions may cause the engine to
CAUTION!
overspeed if too low of a gear is selected
and the clutch pedal is released. Damage
to the clutch and the transmission can
result from skipping a gear while down-
CAUTION!
shifting or downshifting at too high of a
vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal is
held pressed (i.e., not released).
149
Parking
When parking and leaving the vehicle, pro-
ceed as follows:
• Engage a gear (first gear if facing uphill or
reverse if facing downhill) and leave the
wheels turned.
• Stop the engine and engage the park brake.
• Always remove the key fob.
• Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if
the vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
NOTE:
NEVER leave the car with the gearbox in
neutral (or, if equipped with automatic trans-
mission, before placing the gear lever in
PARK).
WARNING!
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle. Always remove the key fob when
exiting the vehicle and take it with you.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a sub-
stitute for the park brake. Always apply
the park brake fully when exiting the
vehicle to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before exiting 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
WARNING!
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
• The vehicle may not engage a newly
selected gear if the vehicle is moving
while shifting.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle.
As with all vehicles, you should never
exit a vehicle while the engine is run-
ning. Before exiting a vehicle always
come to a complete stop, then apply the
park brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove
the key fob. When the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF (key removal) position (or,
with push button start, when the ignition
is in the OFF mode), the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING
150
WARNING!
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended 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 park brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition
(in a vehicle equipped with push button
start) in the ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not ob-
served:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
CAUTION!
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal
while shifting out of PARK.
Ignition Park Interlock
Vehicles with push button start:
This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park
Interlock which requires the transmission to
be in PARK before the ignition can be turned
to the OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid
inadvertently leaving the vehicle without
placing the transmission in PARK. This sys-
tem also locks the transmission in PARK
whenever the ignition is in the OFF mode.Vehicles with mechanical key:
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition
Park Interlock which requires the transmis-
sion to be in PARK before the ignition can be
turned to the OFF (key removal) position. The
key can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition is in the OFF position, and
the transmission is locked in PARK whenever
the ignition is in the OFF position.
If the vehicle's battery becomes discharged,
the key will be trapped in the ignition even
when the gear selector is in PARK. Recharge
the battery to allow key removal.Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Trans-
mission Shift Interlock system (BTSI) that
holds the transmission gear selector in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must
be in the ON/RUN mode (whether the engine
is running or not), and the brake pedal must
be pressed. 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.
151
Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal 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 especially important
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 exiting 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 gear selector out of 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.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF.
4. Remove the key fob from the vehicle.NOTE:
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if
the vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a sub-
stitute for the park brake. Always apply
the park brake fully when exiting the
vehicle to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before exiting 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.
Gear Selector
153
WARNING!
• The vehicle may not engage a newly
selected gear if the vehicle is moving
while shifting.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle.
As with all vehicles, you should never
exit a vehicle while the engine is run-
ning. Before exiting a vehicle always
come to a complete stop, then apply the
park brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove
the key fob. When the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF (key removal) position (or,
with push button start, when the ignition
is in the OFF mode), the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
WARNING!
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition
(in a vehicle equipped with push button
start) in the ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the transmission gear se-
lector out of PARK, you must turn the
ignition to the ON/RUN mode, and also
press the brake pedal. Otherwise, dam-
age to the gear selector 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 properly engaged the
transmission into the PARK position:
• When shifting into PARK, push the lock
button on the gear selector, and firmly
move the selector all the way forward until
it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position dis-
play and verify that it indicates the PARK
position (P).
• With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle back-
ward. Shift into REVERSE only after the ve-
hicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing
for prolonged periods with the engine run-
ning. The engine may be started in this range.
Apply the park brake and shift the transmis-
sion into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING
154
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn
off the ignition to coast down a hill. These
are unsafe practices that limit your re-
sponse to changing traffic or road condi-
tions. 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 “Start-
ing And Operating” and “Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and
highway driving. It provides the smoothest
upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel
economy. The transmission automatically up-shifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving character-
istics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs
(such as when operating the vehicle under
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick
shift control to select a lower gear (refer to
"AutoStick" in this section for further infor-
mation). Under these conditions, using a
lower gear will improve performance and ex-
tend transmission life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds nor-
mal operating limits, the transmission con-
troller may modify the transmission shift
schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or ex-
pand the range of torque converter clutch
engagement. This is done to prevent trans-
mission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot,
the "Transmission Temperature Warning
Light" may illuminate, and the transmission
may operate differently until the transmis-
sion cools down.During cold temperatures, transmission op-
eration may be modified depending on en-
gine and/or transmission temperature as well
as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm
up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of
the torque converter clutch (and, for the
nine-speed, shifts into 8th or 9th gear), are
inhibited until the engine and/or transmis-
sion is warm (refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the tem-
perature(s) have risen to a suitable level.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick
allows you to maximize engine braking, elimi-
nate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more
control during passing, city driving, cold slip-
pery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing, and many other situations.
155
Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick
position (beside the DRIVE position), it can
be moved forward and rearward. This allows
the driver to manually select the transmission
gear being used. Moving the gear selector
forward (-) triggers a downshift and rearward
(+) an upshift. The current gear is displayed
in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will
shift up or down when the driver moves the
gear selector rearward (+) or forward (-), un-
less an engine lugging or overspeed condition
would result. It will remain in the selected
gear until another upshift or downshift is
chosen, except as described below.
• Six-speed transmissions will automatically
upshift when necessary to prevent engine
over-speed.
• The transmission will automatically down-
shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine
lugging) and will display the current gear.• The transmission will automatically down-
shift 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 (or third gear, in six-speed
models, or in 4LO range, Snow mode, or
Sand mode, where available). Tapping (+)
(at a stop) will allow starting in second gear.
Starting out in second gear can be helpful
in snowy or icy conditions.
• If a requested downshift would cause the
engine to over-speed, that shift will not
occur.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift
at too low of a vehicle speed.
• Transmission shifting will be more notice-
able when AutoStick is enabled.
• The system may revert to automatic shift
mode if a fault or overheat condition is
detected.
NOTE:
When Selec-Speed or Hill Descent Control is
enabled, AutoStick is not active.To disengage AutoStick, return the gear se-
lector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in
or out of the AutoStick position 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 ve-
hicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition
is detected that could result in transmission
damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is
activated. In this mode, the transmission
may operate only in a fixed gear, or may
remain in NEUTRAL. The Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp
Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service
without damaging the transmission.
STARTING AND OPERATING
156