WARNING:
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure you shift the gearshift lever to park (P). Switch the ignition off and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle. |
Understanding the Shift Positions of a 6–Speed Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)

Putting your vehicle in or out of gear:
- Fully press down the brake pedal.
- Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear.
- Come to a complete stop.
- Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in park (P) or neutral (N).
Park (P) (If Equipped)
If your transmission has a park position, this position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from turning.
Reverse (R)
With the gearshift lever in reverse (R), your vehicle moves backward. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the gearshift lever in neutral (N), you can start your vehicle and it is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for the best fuel economy. The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through gears one through six.
M (Manual)
With the gearshift lever in manual (M), the driver can change gears up or down as desired. By moving the gearshift lever from drive position drive (D) to manual (M) you now have control of selecting the gear you desire using buttons on the shift lever. See Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ transmission later in this section.
To return to normal drive (D) position, move the shift lever back from manual (M) to drive (D).
The transmission operates in gears one through six.
Second (2)
Transmission operates in second (2) gear only. Use second (2) gear to start-up on slippery roads.
First (1)
- Transmission operates in first (1) gear only.
- Provides maximum engine braking.
- Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
- Does not downshift into first (1) gear at high speeds; allows for first (1) gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
- Allowed in drive (D) with the tow/haul feature on or off.
- Press the accelerator to the floor.
- Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Tow/Haul Mode

To activate tow/haul, press the button on the gearshift lever once. The TOW HAUL indicator light illuminates in the instrument cluster.
The tow/haul feature:
- Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency of transmission shifting.
- Provides engine braking in all forward gears, which slows your vehicle and assists you in controlling your vehicle when descending a grade.
- Depending on driving conditions and load conditions, may downshift the transmission, slow your vehicle and control your vehicle speed when descending a hill, without pressing the accelerator pedal. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon the amount you press the brake pedal.
The tow/haul feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow/haul.
To deactivate the tow/haul feature and return to normal driving mode, press the button on the gearshift lever twice. The TOW HAUL light deactivates. Tow/haul also deactivates when you power down your vehicle.
WARNING:
Do not use the tow/haul feature when driving in icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and your vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle control. |
Understanding your SelectShift™ Automatic transmission (If Equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with a SelectShift Automatic transmission gearshift lever. SelectShift Automatic transmission gives you the ability to change gears up or down (without a clutch) as desired.

Use the buttons on the shifter to lock or unlock gears and manually select gears. Press the + button to upshift or the – button to downshift.

With the gearshift lever in drive (D), press the – button to activate SelectShift. The instrument cluster indicates the available and selected gears.
All available gears display with the current gear indicated. Press the – button again to lock out gears beginning with the highest gear. Example: press the – button twice to lock out 6th and 5th gears. Only the available gears display and the transmission automatically shifts between the available gears. Press the + button to unlock gears.
By moving the gearshift lever from the drive (D) position to the manual (M) position you may now manually select the gear you desire. Only the current gear displays. Press the + button or the – button to upshift or downshift. If you press the – button at a vehicle speed that would cause an engine overspeed, the requested gear flashes then disappears and the transmission remains in the current gear.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
| Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
|
|---|
| Shift from:
| Gasoline engines
| Diesel engines
|
| 1 – 2
| 15 mph (24 km/h) | 12 mph (19 km/h) |
| 2 – 3
| 25 mph (40 km/h) | 19 mph (31 km/h) |
| 3 – 4
| 40 mph (64 km/h) | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
| 4 – 5
| 45 mph (72 km/h) | 34 mph (55 km/h) |
| 5 – 6
| 50 mph (80 km/h) | 46 mph (74 km/h) |
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which may cause it to stall, SelectShift still automatically makes some downshifts if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time. Although SelectShift makes some downshifts for you, it still allows you to downshift at any time as long as the SelectShift determines that there is no damage to the engine from over-revving.
SelectShift does not automatically upshift, even if the engine is approaching the RPM limit. You must shift manually by pressing the + button.
Note:
Engine damage may occur if you rev the engine excessively and hold it without shifting.
Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning
This feature's design is to increase durability and provide consistent shift feel over the life of your vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may have firm shifts, soft shifts or both. This operation is normal and does not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process fully updates transmission operation. Additionally, whenever you disconnect the battery or install a new battery, the system must relearn the strategy.
Brake-Shift Interlock (If Equipped)
WARNING:
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brake lamps are working.
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 set the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheels 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. |
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from moving from park (P) when the ignition is in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of park (P) position with the ignition in the 4 (on) position and the brake pedal pressed, a malfunction may have occurred. It is possible that a fuse has blown or your vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. See
Fuse Specification Chart.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the following procedure allows you to move the gearshift lever from park (P):
- Apply the parking brake. Switch the ignition key to 1 (off), then remove the key.
- Move the steering column to the full down and full rearward position (toward the driver’s seat).
- Remove the gearshift lever boot.
- Place fingers into hole where you removed the gearshift lever boot and pull top half of shroud up and forward to separate it from the lower half of the shroud. There is a hinge at the forward edge of the top shroud. Roll the top half of the shroud upward on the hinge point to clear the hazard flasher button, then pull straight rearward toward the driver’s seat to remove.
- Remove the top half of the shroud.
- Remove the three fasteners under the column that secure the lower shroud half to the column.

- Pull the lock lever into the full unlocked position and remove the lower shroud cover by pulling the lever handle through the slot in the cover.
- Apply the brake. Gently lift the override disk and move the gearshift lever into neutral (N).

- Start your vehicle.
Perform Steps 4 through 8 in reverse order, making sure to engage the hinge pivots between the upper and lower halves of the shroud. Keep slight pressure in the forward direction as you rotate the halves together.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow
Note:
Do not rock your vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:
Do not rock your vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, you may rock it out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.