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102
STARTING AND OPERATING
6-SPEED OR 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
NOTE:
Your vehicle may be equipped with a 6-speed or
9-speed automatic transmission, depending on model.
This section describes operation of both the 6-speed
and 9-speed transmissions.
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both
beside the gear selector and in the instrument cluster.
To select a gear range, push the lock button on the gear
selector and move the selector rearward or forward. You
must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmis-
sion out of PARK (P) (or NEUTRAL (N), when the vehicle
is stopped or moving at low speeds). Select the DRIVE
(D) range for normal driving.
NOTE:
•
The transmission electronics are self-calibrating;
therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition,
and precision shifts will develop within a few hun-
dred miles (kilometers).
•
In the event of a mismatch between the gear selec-
tor position and the actual transmission gear (for
example, driver selects REVERSE (R) while driving
forward), the position indicator will blink continu-
ously until the selector is returned to the proper
position, or the requested shift can be completed.
The electronically controlled transmission adapts its
shift schedule based on driver inputs, along with envi-
ronmental and road conditions.
The 9-speed transmission has been developed to meet
the needs of current and future FWD/AWD vehicles.
Software and calibration are refined to optimize the
customer's driving experience and fuel economy. By
design, some vehicle and driveline combinations utilize
NINTH gear only in very specific driving situations and
conditions.
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is
stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal
when shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick (+/-) shift
positions. Manual shifts can be made using the
AutoStick shift control
page 103. Moving the gear
selector into the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position) activates AutoStick mode, providing
manual shift control and displaying the current gear in
the instrument cluster (as 1, 2, 3, etc.). Toggling the
gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the
AutoStick position will manually select the transmission
gear.
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed forward)
it is probably in the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position). In AutoStick mode, the transmission
gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Move the gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Selector
Gear Ranges
Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting out of
PARK or NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow
the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is
especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking
the transmission. The engine can be started in this
range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load
on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
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