If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the shift lever is located on the center console between the front seats.

There are several different positions for the shift lever.

PARK (P): This position locks the rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.

Caution: It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow.

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes first and then press the shift lever button before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of 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 press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park .

Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

REVERSE (R):  Use this gear to back up. At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R) to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging your transmission. 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. You can 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.

Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. It provides better fuel economy for your vehicle. If you need more power for passing, and you are:

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding under Loss of Control .

Notice: If the vehicle seems to start up rather slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive the vehicle that way, you could damage the transmission. Have the vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in 2 (Second) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and D (Automatic Overdrive) for higher speeds until then.

FOURTH (4): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might choose FOURTH (4) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding roads and when going down a steep hill.

Here are examples for using FOURTH (4) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

INTERMEDIATE (I): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces the vehicles speed without using your brakes, for slight downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or downshifting occurs while driving on steep hills, this position can be used to prevent repetitive types of shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) when driving on hilly and winding roads.

LOW (L): This position reduces vehicle speed more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without using your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transmission will not shift into low gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.