
2. Rotate the outer ring of the
transmission selector clockwise from
park (P), until the desired gear
illuminates on the transmission
selector.
3. Release the brake pedal and the transmission remains in the selected
gear.
The instrument cluster also displays the
current gear.
Park (P)
In park (P), no power transmits to the
driven wheels and the transmission locks.
You can start the engine with the
transmission in this position.
Shift into park (P) only when your vehicle
is stationary.
Note: The electric parking brake could
automatically apply when you shift into park
(P). See Electric Parking Brake (page 177).
Reverse (R)
Shift into reverse (R) only when your
vehicle is stationary and the engine is at
idle speed.
Neutral (N) WARNING:
In neutral (N) your
vehicle has the ability to roll freely. If you
intend to leave your vehicle, make sure
you apply the parking brake.
In neutral (N), no power transmits to the
driven wheels but the transmission does
not lock. You can start the engine with the
transmission in this position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for
the best fuel economy. Manual (M)
(If Equipped)
With your vehicle in drive (D), press the
manual (M) button to activate manual
mode.
In manual (M), you can upshift or
downshift using the paddle shifters.
Low(L)
(If Equipped)
With your vehicle in drive (D), press the low
(L) button to activate low mode.
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• You can shift the transmission into low
(L) at any vehicle speed.
• Is not for use under extended or normal
driving conditions and results in lower
fuel economy.
SelectShift
(If Equipped)
Use this feature to upshift or downshift
using the paddle shifters.
You can only use this feature in drive (D)
or manual (M).
The current gear flashes when you cannot
shift into the requested gear. Pull any paddle to switch the feature on.
Note:
SelectShift in drive (D) provides
temporary manual control of the gear
selection.
• Pull the right paddle (+) to upshift.
• Pull the left paddle (-) to downshift.
167
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing TransmissionE144821

In manual (M), press the manual (M)
button to switch the feature off and return
to drive (D).
Note:
The shift schedule can change with
drive modes. Using drive modes could
change when you can shift into the
requested gear. See Drive Mode Control
(page 223).
Automatic Return to Park
Note: This feature does not operate when
your vehicle is in stay in neutral (N).
Your vehicle has a feature that shifts your
vehicle into park (P) when any of the
following conditions occur:
• You switch the vehicle off.
• You open the driver door with your
seatbelt unlatched.
• You unlatch your seatbelt when the
driver door is open.
If you switch your vehicle off when moving,
the vehicle first shifts into neutral (N) until
it slows down enough to shift into park (P).
Note: If you have waited for more than two
minutes before starting your vehicle,
unlatching your seatbelt causes this feature
to activate, even with the driver door closed.
Note: This feature may not work properly
if the door ajar switch is malfunctioning. If
your door ajar indicator does not illuminate
when you open the driver door or the
indicator illuminates with the driver door
closed, see your authorized dealer.
Stay in Neutral Mode
Stay in neutral mode allows your vehicle
to stay in neutral when you exit your
vehicle. Your vehicle must be stationary to
enter this mode.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode. Note:
Stay in neutral is a temporary vehicle
state with the ignition off. Once in this
mode, sufficient battery voltage must be
maintained or your vehicle returns to park.
Not maintaining sufficient battery voltage
could damage the battery which the vehicle
warranty would not cover.
Note: When entering an automatic car
wash, always shift to neutral (N). If you are
exiting the vehicle before the car wash, stay
in neutral mode is available.
To enter stay in neutral mode
1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine running, press and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Shift in neutral (N).
Note: When in neutral (N), a message
appears in the display screen informing you
how to access stay in neutral mode.
4. Press the manual (M), or low (L) button in the middle of the
transmission selector to enter stay in
neutral mode.
Note: A message appears in the display
screen confirming your vehicle is in stay in
neutral mode. The neutral (N) indicator light
on the transmission selector slowly flashes.
5. Release the brake pedal.
6. Switch the ignition off.
To exit stay in neutral mode, place your
foot on the brake pedal and shift into park
(P), or start the engine and shift into drive
(D) or reverse (R).
168
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Transmission

Manual Park Release
WARNING: When doing this
procedure, you need to take the
transmission out of park (P) which
means your vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement,
always fully apply the parking brake prior
to doing this procedure. Use wheel
chocks if appropriate. WARNING:
If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning
lamp remains illuminated, the brakes
may not be working properly. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. WARNING:
Do not drive your
vehicle until you verify that the
stoplamps are working.
Use the manual park release to move your
transmission from the park (P) position in
the event of an electrical malfunction or
emergency.
Activating the Manual Park Release
Cable
1. Apply the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake
(page 177).
Note: If the vehicle battery is dead, for
example, no electrical power is available,
you could use an external power source to
apply the parking brake. 2. Locate the manual park release cable
access cover on the lower instrument
panel dash to the bottom left-hand
side of the steering column.
3. Using a tool or the key blade, carefully open the access cover.
Note: Do not pull the tether until you are in
the driver seat.
4. Switch the ignition on, but do not start
your vehicle. 5. Once in the driver seat, fully press the
brake pedal and hold. Do not release.
Pull the orange tether towards the
driver seat until the tether gets locked
in the override position. Then leave the
tether.
6. If done correctly, a message on the instrument cluster displays Park Not
Available, Transmission Not in Park, or
Shift System Fault.
Note: Your vehicle is now out of the park
(P) position and is free to roll.
169
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing TransmissionE307867

7.
With your foot still fully applied on the
brake pedal, disengage the parking
brake. See Electric Parking Brake
(page 177).
8. Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
9. Switch off the ignition.
10. Once it is safe to do so and there is no risk that your vehicle will roll,
disconnect the negative, black
battery cable from the battery. If the
vehicle rolls before disconnecting the
battery, the electric parking brake
could apply. You may need to release
the parking brake again. See Electric
Parking Brake
(page 177).
Returning Your Vehicle to Normal
Mode
1. Once it is safe to do so, reconnect the negative, black battery cable to the
battery.
2. Apply the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake
(page 177). Note:
If the vehicle battery is dead, for
example, no electrical power is available,
you could use an external power source to
apply the parking brake.
3. Fully apply the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Pull the orange tether
outward toward the driver seat to
release it from the override position.
4. The cable releases and retracts back to its original rest position.
5. Stow the manual park release cable tether back inside the instrument panel
dash hole, install the access cover by
pressing it back in position.
6. With your foot fully applied on the brake pedal, start your vehicle. Confirm
that your vehicle is in the park (P)
position and that the instrument
cluster indicates park (P).
7. If the instrument cluster is not displaying the park (P) position or a
message displays on the instrument
cluster screen, make sure you apply the
parking brake before exiting your
vehicle. Contact an authorized dealer
for service.
Information Messages Details
Message
The system detects a fault that requires
service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Transmission Malfunction Service Now
Displays when you shift into neutral (N).
Select M To Confirm Stay In Neutral Mode
Displays when you shift into neutral (N).
Select L to Confirm Stay in Neutral Mode
Displays to confirm that your vehicle hasentered Stay in Neutral mode.
Stay in Neutral Mode Engaged
170
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Transmission

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
This system is a proactive system. It has
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and
transfer torque to the rear wheels before
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not
present, the system is continuously making
adjustments to the torque distribution, in
an attempt to improve straight line and
cornering behavior, both on and off road.
The system automatically turns on every
time you switch the ignition on.
If any component requires maintenance,
a message appears in the information
display.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
A graphic displays in the information
display to advise you of the power
distribution between the front and rear
wheels. The more the area is filled, the
more power is being distributed to that
wheel.
Note:
Four-wheel drive is also called 4WD
and 4x4. Note:
Do not use the four-wheel drive lock,
the rear differential lock or off-road
selectable drive modes on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may
damage drive components. These features
are only intended for consistently slippery
or loose surfaces. Operating your vehicle
outside of these conditions could subject
the vehicle to excessive stress, which may
result in damage not covered under your
warranty. See Drive Mode Control (page
223).
Note: When a system malfunction is
present, a warning message is displayed in
the information display. See
Information
Messages (page 104). This means the
system is not functioning correctly and has
defaulted to front-wheel drive only. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: A message is displayed in the
information display if the system overheats
and switches to front-wheel drive. This
condition could occur if you operate your
vehicle in extreme high-load conditions or
with excessive wheel slip, for example deep
sand. To resume four-wheel drive function
as soon as possible, stop your vehicle in a
safe location and switch the ignition off for
a minimum of 10 minutes. After the system
cools, normal four-wheel drive functionality
resumes.
Note: If a warning message appears in the
information display when using the spare
tire, it turns off after reinstalling the repaired
or replaced road tire and you perform a key
cycle.
Note: It is recommended that you reinstall
the repaired tire or replace the tire as soon
as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes could
cause system damage or default the system
to front-wheel drive.
172
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel DriveE331897

Four-Wheel Drive Lock (If Equipped)
The four-wheel drive lock increases
four-wheel drive performance by
preventing the front and rear axles from
disconnecting. You can activate and
deactivate the four-wheel drive lock on the
fly by pressing the button on the drive
mode control. It also engages based on
certain selected drive modes. See
What
Is Drive Mode Control (page 223).
Note: The four-wheel drive lock is not
intended for use on dry pavement. Using the
four-wheel drive lock on dry pavement can
produce excessive noise, increase tire and
vehicle wear.
Note: The four-wheel drive lock may be
required in some drive modes, preventing it
from being disabled. This feature provides an
indicator light in the information
display when in use. While the
feature is in standby mode, the light
displays gray. While the feature is active,
the light becomes colored. Rear Differential Lock
(If Equipped)
The rear differential lock feature provides
additional traction should your vehicle
become stuck. You can activate and
deactivate the rear differential lock feature
while moving within the operating speed
range by pressing the button on the drive
mode control. The feature disengages
when the vehicle speed exceeds a set
value and it re-engages when the vehicle
speed goes below a set value. It also
engages based on certain selected drive
modes. See
Selecting a Drive Mode
(page 223).
The rear differential lock feature is for use
in mud, rocks, sand or off-road conditions
where you need maximum traction. It is
not for use on dry pavement.
Note: This feature is for off-road use only
and is not for use on dry pavement. Using
the rear differential lock feature on dry
pavement can produce excessive noise, and
increase tire and vehicle wear. Operating
your vehicle in these conditions could
subject your vehicle to excessive stress,
which may result in damage not covered
under your warranty.
Note: This feature is not available in all
drive modes. The rear differential lock
provides an indicator light in the
information display when in use.
While the feature is in standby mode, the
light displays gray. While the feature is
active, the light becomes colored.
174
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Four-Wheel DriveE327288 OE327287 E163170

Make sure you switch the system off before
towing with your vehicle or before using an
automatic car wash.
Using Auto Hold
1. Use the brakes to bring your vehicle to
a complete stop. The auto hold active
indicator illuminates in the information
display.
2. Release the brake pedal. The system holds your vehicle at a standstill. The
auto hold active indicator remains
illuminated in the information display.
Note: The system only activates if you
apply enough brake pressure. If your vehicle
is on a steep slope, you need to press the
brake pedal harder before the system
activates.
Note: Under certain conditions, the system
could apply the electric parking brake. The
brake system warning lamp illuminates. The
electric parking brake releases when you
press the accelerator pedal. See Electric
Parking Brake (page 177).
Note: If auto-start-stop turns off the
engine, auto hold remains active.
Note: The system deactivates if you shift
into reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
3. Pull away in the normal manner. The system releases the brakes and the
auto hold active indicator turns off.
Auto Hold Indicator The auto hold indicator
illuminates in the information
display when the system is on
and is either active or
unavailable.
Illuminates when the system is active. Your
vehicle remains stationary after you
release the brake pedal. Illuminates when the system is on but
unavailable to hold your vehicle at a
standstill.
The system could be unavailable when any
of the following occur:
•
During an active park assist maneuver.
• Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
• The driver door is open.
• You do not fasten your seatbelt.
• You shift into reverse (R) before the
system is active.
180
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Brakes

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: The stability and
traction control light illuminates steadily
if the system detects a failure. Make sure
you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead
to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death.
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial 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, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status. You can switch the system off by either
using the information display controls or
the switch.
Using the Information Display
Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in the
information display. See
General
Information (page 99).
Using a Switch
(If Equipped)
Using the traction control switch on the
center console to turn this feature off or
on.
System Indicator Lights and
Messages The stability and traction control
light:
• Temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up.
• Flashes when a driving condition
activates either of the systems.
• Illuminates if a problem occurs in either
of the systems. The stability and traction control
off light temporarily illuminates
on engine start-up and stays on
when you switch the traction control
system off.
181
Bronco Sport (CHD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202007, Second-Printing Traction ControlE138639 E130458