There are several different positions for the shift lever, which is located on the console between the seats.
PARK (P): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.Caution: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park . If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer .Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift the shift lever all the way into PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See Shifting Out of Park .
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to backup.Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow for additional information.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.Caution: Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (Overdrive): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are:• | Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down. |
• | Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. |
The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and have more power. |
Notice: If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE Overdrive for higher speeds until then.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (Overdrive).Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (Overdrive):
• | When driving on hilly, winding roads. |
• | When going down a steep hill. |
Notice: Do not shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage your engine and/or transaxle.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the traction control switch is off, your vehicle will not go into FIRST (1) gear and the vehicle will accelerate from stop more slowly. This can help in deep snow or mud conditions. When the traction control is turned off, a message will light up on the Driver Information Center (DIC).Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle in place.
When your vehicle detects a change in driving conditions, it will automatically initiate the appropriate performance shift mode. When this occurs, the gear display on the instrument panel cluster will change to indicate that the transaxle has shifted to a different gear. For example, the gear display on the cluster may indicate D, 3, 2, or 1 even though the gearshift lever is still in AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (Overdrive). Once the performance shift mode ends, the gear display on the instrument panel cluster will return to normal.