WARNING   WARNING:  Always fully apply the parking brake. Make sure you shift into park (P) for vehicles with an automatic transmission. Switch the ignition off and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not apply the brake pedal and accelerator pedal simultaneously. Applying both pedals simultaneously for more than a few seconds will limit engine performance, which may result in difficulty maintaining speed in traffic and could lead to serious injury.

Push Button Shift Transmission
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic transmission. The shift buttons are located near the middle of the instrument panel. The gears are selected by pressing and releasing the PRNDS buttons.
Automatic Transmission Push Buttons
Every time a gear is selected, the selected button will light up.
Understanding the Positions of your Electronic Transmission
Note:   Always come to a complete stop before putting your vehicle into and out of park (P).
Putting your vehicle in gear:
  1. Fully press down the brake pedal.
  1. Press and release the button on the instrument panel of the gear you want to select.
  1. The gearshift button you select will illuminate and the selected gear will appear in the instrument cluster.
  1. Release the brake pedal and your transmission will remain in the selected gear.
Note:   If you attempt to leave your vehicle while it is in gear, the vehicle will automatically shift into park (P). Safety belt and door monitors determine your intent and make the shift for you. During this time, a message will appear in the information display screen prompting you to make the shift.   See   Information Messages. 
Note:   To put your vehicle in gear with the door open, perform steps 1-4. See the Automatic Return to Park section in this chapter for more information on this feature.
Park (P)
With the transmission in park (P), your vehicle locks the transmission and prevents the front wheels from turning. Always come to a complete stop before putting your vehicle into and out of park (P). An audible chime sounds once you select park (P).
When the ignition is turned off, the vehicle will automatically shift into park (P). If the ignition is turned off while the vehicle is moving, it will first shift into neutral (N) until a slow enough speed is reached. The vehicle will then shift into park (P) automatically.
Automatic Return to Park
Note:   This feature will not operate when your vehicle is in Stay in Neutral mode or neutral tow.
Your vehicle has a safety feature that will automatically shift your vehicle into park (P) when any of the following conditions occur:
  • You turn the ignition off
  • You open the driver's door with your safety belt unlatched
  • Your safety belt is unlatched while the driver's door is open
If you turn the ignition off while your vehicle is moving, your vehicle will first shift into neutral (N) until it slows down enough to shift into park (P) automatically.
Note:   If you have waited an extended period of time, (2-15 minutes) before starting your vehicle, unlatching your safety belt will cause this feature to activate, even with the driver's door closed.
Note:   This feature may not work properly if the door ajar switch is malfunctioning. If your door ajar indicator does not illuminate when you open the driver’s door or the indicator illuminates with the driver’s door closed. See your authorized dealer.
Reverse (R)
With the transmission in reverse (R), your vehicle will move backward. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the transmission in neutral (N), you can start your vehicle and it is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
Stay in Neutral mode
Stay in Neutral mode allows your vehicle to stay in neutral (N) when you exit the vehicle. Your vehicle must be stationary to enter this mode.
To enter Stay in Neutral mode:
  1. Press the neutral (N) button on your shifter assembly.
  1. A message will appear in your information display screen prompting you to press the neutral (N) button.
  1. Press the neutral (N) button again to enter Stay in Neutral mode.
A message will appear in your information display screen when your vehicle has entered Stay in Neutral mode.
Note:   During this mode the neutral (N) button will flash continuously and your instrument cluster will display N as the selected gear.
Exiting Stay in Neutral mode
To disable Stay in Neutral mode select another gear. See the Putting the Vehicle in Gear for instructions on how to do this.
Entering a Carwash
Note:   Always put your vehicle in Stay in Neutral mode when entering an automatic car wash. Failure to do this could result in vehicle damage not covered by warranty.
Drive (D)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy.
Sport (S)
Putting the vehicle in sport (S):
  • Provides additional engine braking and extends lower gear operation to enhance performance for uphill climbs, hilly terrain or mountainous areas. This will increase engine RPM during engine braking
  • Provides additional lower gear operation through the automatic transmission shift strategy
  • Provides gear selection more quickly and at higher engine speeds
SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission
Your SelectShift Automatic transmission gives you the ability to change gears manually.
Paddle Shifters
With your vehicle in drive (D), the paddle shifters provide temporary manual control. They allow you the ability to shift gears quickly, without taking your hands off the steering wheel.
You can achieve extensive manual control by pressing the sport (S) button.
  • Pull the right paddle (+) to upshift.
  • Pull the left paddle (–) to downshift.
SelectShift Automatic Transmission
Upshift to the recommended shift speeds according to the following chart:

Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)  
Gear Upshift   mph (km/h)  
From   To  
1   2   15 mph (24 km/h)  
2   3   25 mph (40 km/h)  
3   4   40 mph (64 km/h)  
4   5   45 mph (72 km/h)  
5   6   50 mph (80 km/h)  

The instrument cluster will display your currently selected gear.
The transmission will automatically upshift if your engine speed is too high or downshift if your engine speed is too low.
Note:   The system will stay in manual control until you make another shift button selection. For example, drive (D).
Brake-Shift Interlock Override
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brake lamps are working.
WARNING   WARNING:  When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheels chocks if appropriate.
WARNING   WARNING:  If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Note:   See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure is used.
Note:   For some markets this feature is disabled.
Note:   This feature will only function if your 12-volt battery has power. If vehicle battery voltage is not sufficient, an external 12-volt power source (for example, jumper cables, battery charger or a jump pack), may be required to function the interlock override switch.
Use the brake-shift interlock override to move your transmission from the park position in the event of an electrical malfunction. If your vehicle has a dead battery, an external power source will be required.
  1. Apply the parking brake and turn your ignition off before performing this procedure.
Brake Shifter Interlock Access Slot Location
  1. Locate your brake-shift interlock access slot. The slot is located below the media hub, in your center console storage bin. The access slot does not have a label.
Note:   Make sure that you correctly identify the access hole as not to damage the media hub.
  1. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. The shift buttons on the instrument panel will flash when your vehicle is in override mode.
  1. With the override switch still held, press the neutral (N) button to shift from park.
  1. Release the override button.
  1. Your vehicle will remain in Stay in Neutral mode for wrecker towing purposes or can be shifted to the desired gear and driven (if possible).
  1. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning
This feature increases durability and provides consistent shift feel over the life of your vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may have firm or soft shifts. This operation will not affect function or durability of your transmission and is normal. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation. Additionally, the strategy must be relearned whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow
Note:   Do not rock your vehicle if your engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to your transmission may occur.
Note:   Do not rock your vehicle for more than a minute or damage to your transmission and tires may occur, or your engine may overheat.
Note:   If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, it may be beneficial to disengage the AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control system while attempting to rock the vehicle.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, you can help rock your vehicle out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.