This is the shift pattern.

Vehicles with a manual transmission operate as described below:

1 (First):  Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you slowly press down on the accelerator pedal. You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral and let up on the clutch. Then press the clutch pedal back down and shift into 1 (First).

2 (Second):  Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

3 (Third, 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth: Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth) the same way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.

Neutral:  Use this position when you start or idle the engine.

R (Reverse): To back up, stop the vehicle. Press the clutch pedal and shift into R (Reverse). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If it is hard to shift, let the shift lever return to Neutral and release the clutch pedal. Then press the clutch again and shift into R (Reverse). Do not attempt to shift into the fifth gear position prior to shifting into R (Reverse). The transmission has a lock out feature which prevents a 5 (Fifth) gear to R (Reverse) gear shift.

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.

Use R (Reverse), along with the parking brake, for parking the vehicle.

Up-Shift Light

This light will show you when to shift to the next higher gear for best fuel economy.

When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions permit. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift when the light comes on.

While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you quickly change the position of the accelerator. Ignore the shift light when you downshift.

Disregard the shift light when the transfer case is in four-wheel low.

For more information, see Up-Shift Light.

Shift Speeds

Caution: If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of the vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift.

Hill Start Assist

H3 and H3T vehicles have a Hill Start Assist feature, which may be useful when stopped on a grade. See Braking for more information.