STARTING AND OPERATING 127 The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position: CAUTION! This is done to prevent transmission damage due to overheating. Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage. If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger of overheating, the Transmission Temperature Warning Light may illuminate and the transmission may operate differently until the transmission cools down. When shifting into PARK, pull the gear selector toward you and move it all the way counterclock wise until it stops.
Release the gear selector and make sure it is fully seated in the PARK gate. For Towing A Disabled Vehicle Ъ page320. Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P). For Recreational Towing Ъ page183. NOTE: Use caution when operating a heavily loaded vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL (when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this excess heat generation. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm-up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm Ъ page129. With the brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK. 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) 4 REVERSE (R) This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. 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 page128.
Under these conditions, using a lower gear range will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. NEUTRAL (N) Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle. WARNING! 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.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating limits, the powertrain controller will modify the transmission shift schedule and expand the range of torque converter clutch engagement. On trucks with AS66RC or AS69RC transmission, FIFTH and SIXTH gears may be inhibited briefly on cold starts below 41°F (5°C), and during very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or below), operation