Automatic Transmission Chevrolet Equinox
P : This position locks the front wheels. Use P (Park) when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.
⚠ Warning.
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park and Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.
The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply the regular brake first and then press the shift lever button before shifting from.
P (Park) when the ignition is on. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever, then push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear.
See Shifting out of Park.
R : Use this gear to back up.
Caution.
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If the Vehicle Is Stuck.
N : In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
⚠ Warning.
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.
Caution.
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
Caution.
A transmission hot message may display if the automatic transmission fluid is too hot. Driving under this condition can damage the vehicle. Stop and idle the engine to cool the automatic transmission fluid. This message clears when the transmission fluid has cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press the accelerator pedal down.
Caution.
If the vehicle does not shift gears, the transmission could be damaged. Have the vehicle serviced right away.
Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
L : Allows the driver to select the range of gear positions. See Manual Mode.
Operating Modes.
The transmission may operate in a lower gear than normal to improve vehicle performance. The engine speed may be higher and there may be an increase in noise during the following conditions:.
● When climbing a grade.
● When driving downhill.
● When driving in hot temperatures or at high altitude.
Manual Mode.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Mode.
ERS or manual mode allows for the selection of the range of gear positions. Use this mode when driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle speed. The shift position indicator within the.
Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a number next to the L indicating the highest available gear under manual mode and the driving conditions when manual mode was selected.
To use this feature:.
1. Move the shift lever to L (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button on the shift lever, to increase or decrease the gear range available.
When shifting to L (Manual Mode), the transmission will shift to a preset lower gear range. For this preset range, the highest gear available is displayed next to the L in the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Midlevel) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) for more information. All gears below that number are available to use. For example, when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L, 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, press the + (Plus) button or shift into D (Drive).
L (Manual Mode) will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. If vehicle speed is not reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. Slow the vehicle, then press the − (Minus) button to the desired lower gear range.
While using the ERS, cruise control can be used.
Tow/Haul Mode.
This feature can assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
: Select Tow/Haul Mode by pressing the button on the center console. Mode availability is dependent upon vehicle trim level, region, and optional features.
When Tow/Haul is activated, the Tow/Haul symbol will come on in the instrument cluster. A Tow/Haul ON message will also appear in the DIC. For vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD), the AWD indicator will come on. Tow/Haul Mode will remain active until the vehicle is turned off.
If needed, Tow/Haul Mode can be reactivated when the vehicle is turned on See Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking.
Automatic Engine Grade Braking assists when driving downhill. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically implementing a shift pattern that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle. The system will automatically command downshifts to reduce vehicle speed. The normal shift pattern will return once the vehicle is on a low grade or when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
While in the Electronic Range Select (ERS) mode, grade braking is deactivated, allowing the driver to select a range and limiting the highest gear available. Grade braking is available for normal driving and in Tow/Haul Mode.
