Automatic Transaxle Operation Base Models

Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the console between the seats.

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

Caution: It is 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.

Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park . If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer .

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK  (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply your regular brake and press the shift lever button before you can shift from PARK (P). If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, then push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. 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 transaxle, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow .

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. 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 PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at high speed may damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.

DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are:

Notice: If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in LOW (L2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then.

LOW (L): This position gives you access to FOURTH, THIRD, SECOND and FIRST gear ranges. This provides more engine braking but lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the electronic range select is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into lower gears until the vehicle is going slow enough.

Electronic Range Select Mode

This feature allows you to limit higher gears by selecting a maximum gear range when the shift lever is in LOW (L). The button for this mode is located on the left of the shift lever knob.

When the shift lever is first moved into LOW (L), the display in the instrument panel shows L3. Press the (-) end of the button on the shift lever once for L2 and once more for L1. Press the plus (+) end of the button once each to return to L2, L3 and L4. The shift lever must be moved back to DRIVE (D) to turn off the electronic range select mode.

L4 (LOW 4): This position does not limit gears, but provides more engine braking, and lower fuel economy, than DRIVE (D). The actual gear is determined by throttle and vehicle speed.

L3 (LOW 3/DRIVE 3): This position prevents fourth gear operation. Actual gear is determined by throttle and vehicle speed.

L2 (LOW 2/DRIVE 2): This position prevents third and fourth gear operation. Actual gear is determined by throttle and vehicle speed. If you shift from L3 to L2 at vehicle speeds exceeding 80 mph (110 km/h), the transaxle will not shift into L2 gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.

L1 (LOW 1/DRIVE 1): This position prevents SECOND (2), THIRD (3), and FOURTH (4) gear operation. If you shift from L2 to the L1 position at vehicle speeds exceeding 40 mph (65 km/h), the transaxle will not shift into L1 gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.