Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Range Selection: Manual
The transaxle is in MANUAL when the selector lever is moved to the right (M) position without commanding a gear by pushing the selector lever backward (+) or forward (-).
In the M position:
- O/D is cancelled.
- the transmission operates in gears 1st through 4th.
- grade assist is activated.
- some engine braking may occur.
Grade Assist
- Improves vehicle handling in hilly terrain or mountainous areas by providing additional engine braking and extends lower gear operation on uphill climbs.
- Additional engine braking is provided through the automatic transaxle shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs including vehicle acceleration, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed.
- The transaxle will select gears that will provide the engine braking desired, based on the vehicle inputs, this will increase engine rpm during engine braking.
It is recommended to return to DRIVE mode on flat terrain to provide the best fuel economy and transaxle function. The transaxle returns to O/D when the selector lever is moved back into the D position.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.