User Guide

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located
on
the console between the seats or
on
the
steering column.
There are several different positions
for
your shift lever.
If
your vehicle is equipped with
a
coiunm shift lever,
it
features an electronic shift position indicator
within
the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
the
PARK
(P)
position. This means that if your
key
is
in
the
OFF
position, but not locked, there
will
be
a
small
current drain
on
your battery which could discharge
your battery over
a
period of time. If you need to leave
your key
in
the ignition
in
the
OFF position for
an
extended period,
it
is
recommended that you disconnect
the
battery cable from the battery
to
prevent discharging
your battery.
PARK
(P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can‘t move easily.
A
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out
of
your vehicle
if
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
vehicie won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK
(P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to
roll
--
even
if
your shift lever
is
in
PARK
(P)
--
if
your transfer case
is
in
NEUTRAL
(N).
So,
be
sure the transfer case is in
a
drive gear, two-wheel high (2HI) or four-wheel
high
(4HI) or four-wheel
low
(4LO)
--
not in
NEUTRAL
(Nj.
See “Shifting Into
PARK
(P)”
in
the Index.
If
you’re pulling
a
trailer, see “Towing
a
Trailer” in the Index.
2-18