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178 STARTING AND OPERATING
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), use the AutoStick shift control
to select a lower gear (refer to "AutoStick" in this
section for further information). Under these
conditions, using a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds
normal operating limits, the transmission
controller may modify the transmission shift
schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or expand
the range of torque converter clutch
engagement. This is done to prevent
transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the
"Transmission Temperature Warning Light" may
illuminate, and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
During cold temperatures, transmission
operation may be modified depending on
engine and/or 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 (and, for the
nine-speed, shifts into 8th or 9th gear), are
inhibited until the engine and/or transmission
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque
Converter Clutch” in this section). Normal
operation will resume once the temperature(s)
have risen to a suitable level.
AutoStick
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission
feature providing manual shift control, giving
you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick
allows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This
system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery
conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and
many other situations.
Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick
position (beside the DRIVE (D) position), it can
be moved forward and rearward. This allows the
driver to manually select the transmission gear
being used. Moving the gear selector forward (-)
triggers a downshift and rearward (+) an
upshift. The current gear is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up
or down when the driver moves the gear
selector rearward (+) or forward (-), unless an
engine lugging or overspeed condition would
result. It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is chosen, except
as described below.
Six-speed transmissions will automatically
upshift when necessary to prevent engine
over-speed.
The transmission will automatically down-
shift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine
lugging) and will display the current gear.
The transmission will automatically down-
shift to FIRST gear when coming to a stop.
After a stop, the driver should manually
upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle is
accelerated.
You can start out, from a stop, in FIRST or
SECOND gear (or THIRD gear, in six-speed
models, or in 4WD LOW range, SNOW mode,
or SAND mode, where available). Tapping (+)
(at a stop) will allow starting in SECOND gear.
Starting out in SECOND gear can be helpful in
snowy or icy conditions.
20_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 178
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