3. The gear shift button you selectilluminates and the instrument clustershows the selected gear.
4. Release the brake pedal and yourtransmission remains in the selectedgear.
Note:If the driver attempts to leave thevehicle when it is in gear, the vehicleautomatically shifts into park (P). Seatbeltand door monitors determine the driver'sintent and makes the shift for you. Duringthis time a Transmission not in Parkmessage appears in the display screen,prompting the driver to make the shift. Toput the vehicle in gear with the door openperform steps 1-4. See the Automatic Returnto Park section in this chapter for moreinformation on this feature.
Note:To put your vehicle in gear with thedoor open, perform steps 1-4. See theAutomatic Return to Park section in thischapter for more information on this feature.
Park (P)
This position locks the transmission andprevents the front wheels from turning.Always come to a complete stop beforeputting your vehicle into and out of park (P).An audible chime sounds when park (P) ismanually selected.
When you turn the ignition off, your vehicleautomatically shifts into park (P). If you turnthe ignition off when your vehicle is moving,it first shifts into neutral (N) until a slowenough speed is reached. Your vehicle thenshifts into park (P) automatically.
Automatic Return to Park
Note:This feature does not operate whenyour vehicle is in Stay in Neutral mode orneutral tow.
Your vehicle has a safety feature thatautomatically shifts your vehicle into park (P)when any of the following circumstances aremet:
•Turn the ignition off.
•Open the driver's door with your seat beltunlatched.
•Unlatching your seatbelt when thedriver's door is open.
If you turn the ignition off when your vehicleis moving, your vehicle first shifts into neutral(N) until it slows down enough to shift intopark (P) automatically.
Note:If you have waited an extended periodof time, (2-15 minutes) before starting yourvehicle, unlatching your safety belt doescause this feature to activate, even with thedriver's door closed.
Note:This feature may not work properly ifthe door ajar switch is malfunctioning. If yourdoor ajar indicator does not illuminate whenyou open the driver’s door or the indicatorilluminates with the driver’s door closed, seeyour authorized dealer.
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Transmission
Reverse (R)
With the transmission in reverse (R), yourvehicle moves backward. Always come to acomplete stop before shifting into and outof reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
Press the neutral (N) button to put yourvehicle in neutral. In neutral, your vehicle canstart and is free to roll. Hold the brake pedaldown when in this position.
Stay in Neutral mode
Stay in Neutral mode allows your vehicle tostay in neutral when you exit your vehicle.Your vehicle must be stationary to enter thismode.
To enter Stay in Neutral mode:
1.Press the neutral (N) button on the shifterassembly.
2. The message Select N Again to EnterStay in Neutral mode appears in theinformation display screen.
3. Press the neutral (N) button again toenter Stay in Neutral mode.
The message Stay in Neutral modeengaged appears in the instrument clusterwhen your vehicle has entered Stay inNeutral mode.
Note:During this mode the neutral (N) buttonflashes continuously and the instrumentcluster displays neutral as the selected gear.
Exiting Stay in Neutral mode
To disable Stay in Neutral mode put yourvehicle in another gear. See the Putting theVehicle in Gear section for instructions onhow to do this.
Entering a Carwash
Note:Always put your vehicle in Stay inNeutral mode when entering an automaticcar wash. Failure to do this could result invehicle damage that may not be covered bywarranty.
Drive (D)
The normal driving position for the best fueleconomy.
Drive (D) with Grade Assist
Activate grade assist through theinformation display settings menu.See General Information (page112).
Grade assist:
•Provides additional grade braking with acombination of engine motoring andhigh-voltage battery charging to helpmaintain vehicle speed when descendinga grade.
•As your vehicle determines the amountof engine motoring and high-voltagebattery charging, you may notice theengine speed increasing and decreasingto help maintain your vehicle speed whendescending a grade.
The grade assist lamp illuminatesgrey when the grade assist featureis switched on through theinstrument display settings menu. The lampchanges from grey to green when gradeassist is actively providing additional gradebraking.
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Note:The brake system warning lampilluminates for 10 seconds if you switch theignition off after you apply the electricparking brake, or you apply the electricparking brake after you switch the ignitionoff.
Note:The electric parking brake will notautomatically apply. You must apply theelectric parking brake using the electricparking brake switch.
Pull the switch to apply the electric parkingbrake.
The brake system warning lamp flashes forabout two seconds and then illuminates toconfirm that you have applied the electricparking brake. See Information Displays(page 112).
Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving
WARNINGS
Applying the electric parking brakewhile moving will result in theengagement of the anti-lock braking system.Do not use the electric parking brake systemwhen the vehicle is moving unless the normalbrake system is unable to stop the vehicle.
With the exception of emergencyconditions (for example, the brakepedal is broken or is blocked), do not applythe electric parking brake while the vehicleis moving. On bends, or poor road surfacesor weather conditions, emergency brakingcan cause the vehicle to skid out of controlor off the road.
WARNINGS
The brake system warning lamp willflash when applying the electricparking brake. If the brake system warninglamp continues to flash there could be aproblem with your electric parking brake.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
If you apply the electric parking brake whenyour vehicle is moving, the brake systemwarning lamp illuminates and a warningchime sounds. See Information Displays(page 112).
If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph(6 km/h), the braking force is applied as longas you apply the switch. Release or pressthe switch, or press the accelerator pedal tostop the braking force.
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AUTO HOLD
WARNINGS
The system does not replace theparking brake. When you leave yourvehicle, always apply the parking brake.
You must remain in your vehicle whenthe system turns on. At all times, youare responsible for controlling your vehicle,supervising the system and intervening, ifrequired. Failure to take care may result inthe loss of control of your vehicle, seriouspersonal injury or death.
The system will turn off if a malfunctionis apparent. Failure to take care mayresult in the loss of control of your vehicle,serious personal injury or death.
Auto Hold uses your vehicle's brakes to holdyour vehicle at a stop once your vehicle hasreached a standstill condition. For example,Auto Hold can assist you while stopping attraffic lights or while in traffic jams by holdingthe brake pressure for you once you bringyour vehicle to a stop.
Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailertowing.
Note:In case of a malfunction in the systemwhile Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle(for example, low power supply), a messageappears in the information display askingyou to press the brake pedal. If you see thismessage, press the brake pedalimmediately.
Note:Auto Hold only activates if the systemrecognizes it is applying enough brakepressure. On a steep hill or incline, you mayneed to make sure the brake pedal ispressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Holdsystem.
Note:In some cases, Auto Hold might handover to the parking brake. When the parkingbrake automatically applies, the red brakelamp appears. This is normal. When youpress the accelerator pedal, the drive awayrelease feature automatically releases theparking brake.
Note:Auto Hold works on all road gradesand in reverse (R).
Press the Auto Hold button to switch thesystem on and off. The Auto Hold indicatorlight illuminates in the Auto Hold buttonwhen the system is on.
Note:You can only switch Auto Hold on ifyou close the door and fasten your seatbelt.
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Note:Auto Hold turns off every time youpower down your vehicle.
When Auto Hold is off, your vehicle behavesthe same as a vehicle without Auto Hold.
There is an Auto Hold indicator lamp in theinstrument cluster that has two modes, activeand unavailable:
The Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicatorlight illuminates in the informationdisplay when the system holdsyour vehicle stationary. When in active mode,press the brake pedal and the Auto Holdbutton to switch Auto Hold off.
The Auto Hold (UNAVAILABLE)indicator light illuminates in theinformation display when thesystem is on but unavailable to hold yourvehicle (for example, during Active ParkAssist, Stay in Neutral Mode, or when youdo not fasten your seatbelt or close thedoor).
Note:Make sure you switch off Auto Holdor use the Stay in Neutral mode before youenter a car wash. See AutomaticTransmission (page 194).
Using Auto Hold
1. Bring your vehicle to a stop by pressingthe brake pedal. After coming to a stop,the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicatorlamp illuminates in the informationdisplay.
2.Release the brake pedal. The Auto Hold(ACTIVE) indicator light remainsilluminated in the information display andAuto Hold will hold your vehicle at a stop.
3. When you press the accelerator pedal,Auto Hold releases the brakes and youwill be able to drive off. Once you driveoff, the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE)indicator no longer illuminates in theinformation display.
Note:The Stop/Start system (if equipped)may stop the engine when you press thebrake pedal. If this occurs, it will restart onceyou press the accelerator pedal. Auto Holdstill holds your vehicle at a standstill with theengine off.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drivewheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheels and,when needed, reduces engine power at thesame time. If the wheels spin whenaccelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,the system reduces engine power in orderto increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING
The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily if the systemdetects a failure. Make sure you did notmanually disable the traction control systemusing the information display controls or theswitch. If the stability control and tractioncontrol light is still illuminating steadily, havethe system serviced by an authorized dealerimmediately. Operating your vehicle with thetraction control disabled could lead to anincreased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The system automatically turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:When you switch traction control off,stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, amessage appears in the information displayshowing system status.
You can switch the system off by either usingthe information display controls or the switch.
Using the Information Display Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in theinformation display. See General Information(page 112).
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on theinstrument panel to switch the system off oron.
System Indicator Lights and Messages
The stability and traction controllight:
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Stability Control and Traction Control Features
Collision Warningwith Brake SupportTraction ControlSystemElectronic StabilityControlStability Control OffLightModeButton Functions
EnabledEnabledEnabledOn during bulb checkStability and tractioncontrol fully enabledDefault at start-up
EnabledDisabledEnabledOnTraction control offButton pressedmomentarily
DisabledEnabled with higherthreshold targetEnabled with higherthreshold targetOnSport mode (ifequipped)Button pressed twicerapidly
DisabledDisabledDisabledOnStability and tractioncontrol fully disabledButton pressed andheld more than fiveseconds
EnabledEnabledEnabledOffStability and tractioncontrol fully enabledButton pressed againafter deactivation
Note:Stability control fully off can only occurwhen you put the Active Suspension System(CCD) in sport mode. If you are not in sportmode or change from sport mode to anothermode, the stability control enables.
Note:Do not use Sport mode on publicroadways.
Your vehicle, if equipped with sport modeallows you to reduce normal stability andtraction control system intervention andprovide a more spirited driving experience.To enter sport mode, press the stabilitycontrol button twice rapidly. A messageappears in the information display that thesystem is now in sport mode.
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Stability Control
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, alwaysuse caution when in reverse (R) andwhen using the sensing system.
The system may not detect objectswith surfaces that absorb reflection.Always drive with due care and attention.Failure to take care may result in a crash.
Traffic control systems, inclementweather, air brakes, external motorsand fans may affect the correct operation ofthe sensing system.This may cause reducedperformance or false alerts.
The system may not detect small ormoving objects, particularly those closeto the ground.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped withMyKey™, the sensing system cannot beturned off when a MyKey™ is present. SeePrinciple of Operation (page 62).
Note:Keep the sensors, located on thebumper or fascia, free from snow, ice andlarge accumulations of dirt. If the sensorsare covered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage to thebumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned orbent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Certain add-on devices installedaround the bumper or fascia may createfalse alerts. For example, large trailerhitches, bike or surfboard racks, license platebrackets, bumper covers or any other devicethat may block the normal detection zoneof the system. Remove the add-on device toprevent false alerts.
Note:When a trailer is connected to yourvehicle, the rear parking aid may detect thetrailer and therefore provide an alert. Disablethe rear parking aid when a trailer isconnected to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
The system can be switched off through theinformation display menu or from the pop-upmessage that appears once you shift thetransmission into reverse (R). See GeneralInformation (page 112).
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the information display.See Information Messages (page 123).
REAR PARKING AID
The rear sensors are only active when thetransmission is in reverse (R). As your vehiclemoves closer to the obstacle, the rate of theaudible warning increases. When theobstacle is less than 12 in (30 cm) away, thewarning sounds continuously. If the systemdetects a stationary or receding objectfarther than 12 in (30 cm) from the corners ofthe bumper, the tone sounds for only threeseconds. Once the system detects an objectapproaching, the warning sounds again.
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Parking Aids