124 STARTING AND OPERATING The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position: CAUTION! operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level. Transmission Limp Home Mode Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage. Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not blinking. Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all. Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and indicate what actions may be necessary. With the brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK. For Towing A Disabled Vehicle Ъ page320.
REVERSE (R) For Recreational Towing Ъ page183. This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears. DRIVE (D) NEUTRAL (N) Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing a heavy trailer), select TOW/HAUL mode or use the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control to select a lower gear range Ъ page125. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build-up. In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps: Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill.
These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision. WARNING! NOTE: In cases where the instrument cluster message indicates the transmission may not re-engage after engine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired location (preferably, at an authorized dealer). 1. Stop the vehicle. During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or below), transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. Normal 2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.