System Operation

Park 

In the P position:

• there is no powerflow through the transmission.
• the parking pawl locks the output shaft.
• the engine may be started.

Reverse 

In the R position:

• the vehicle may be operated in a rearward direction, at a reduced gear ratio.
• engine braking will occur.

Neutral 

In the N position:

• there is no powerflow through the transmission.
• the output shaft is not held and is free to turn.
• the engine may be started.

Drive 

D is the normal position for most forward driving.

D provides:

• automatic shifts - 1st through 7th gears.
• maximum fuel economy during normal operation.

The paddle shifters may be used to shift gears with the GSM in D. Using the paddle shifters in D will temporarily hold a selected gear.

Manual 

M is activated by placing the GSM in D and pressing the M button in the center of the GSM. When in M, use the paddle shifters to upshift or downshift the transmission. Pressing the M button again turns off manual mode and returns the GSM to D.

In M position:

• the transmission provides maximum engine braking.
• gears 1 through 7 are available.
• the driver must manually shift the transmission to gears 1 through 7 using the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
• the transmission selects gears that provide the engine braking desired, based on the vehicle inputs, which increases engine RPM during engine braking.

The TCM prevents manual shifts in either D or M if the vehicle speed is too low for the gear selected (upshifts) or the selected gear would result in engine over-revving (downshifts). The TCM also automatically downshifts if the vehicle speed is too low for the gear selected in order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which may cause the engine to stall.