Your automatic transmission 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 transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brake first and then press the shift lever button before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. 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 press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park .

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

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.

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 .

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 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.

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

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 L2 (Low) when you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and D (Drive) 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 transmission will not shift into lower gears until the vehicle is going slow enough.