Automatic Transmission Operation - Cadillac 2003 Escalade Owner's Manual

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever
PARK (P): This position locks your drive wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
_ _ -s d a n , , .
- A S
L get out of your vehicl, .f the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your 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 your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See "Shifting Into Park (P)" in the
Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see "Towing a
Trailer'' in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see If You Are Stuck:
In
Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on
page 4-44.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
ShiftinL
I
a ve gear while your engine i-
"racing" (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people or objects.
Don't shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
2-22