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How To How To How to Change Gears with Electronic Precision Shift, Lever

Difficulty Level: Novice  |  Time Required: 2 Minutes  |  Tools Required: None  |  Related Parts, Products, Services or Technology: None

If equipped, Electronic Precision Shift lets you shift gears electronically using an electronic joystick-style lever, rather than using a traditional mechanical connection.


This feature may work differently, depending on your vehicle, so see your Owner’s Manual for details. Your vehicle may also have Electronic Precision Shift, Buttons.  

How to Use Electronic Precision Shift, Lever

If your vehicle has this feature, you’ll find an electronic lever that looks like a joystick on your center console.


There will be a dedicated PARK (“P”) button at the top of the lever and an interlock button on the side of the lever. You have to press the interlock button to shift gears.


If you have a push-/pull-button system, use these instructions instead.
 

  1. To shift into PARK: Press brake pedal. Come to a complete stop. Then, press the “P” button on the shifter.

a. If you try to shift into PARK while your vehicle is moving, Electronic Precision Shift will prevent this from happening. You have to press the “P” button again when your vehicle is stopped.

b. If you turn the vehicle off in DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped, Electronic Precision Shift will automatically shift to PARK. If you turn the vehicle off in NEUTRAL, the vehicle will remain in NEUTRAL. Shift to PARK before exiting.

 2. To shift into REVERSE: With your foot on the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped, press and hold the side interlock button. Then, depending on the pattern on your shift lever, you will either push the shifter forward and then left toward “R” or forward past the first bump toward “R.” The “R” will light up red and the shifter will return to center.

 3. To shift into DRIVE: With your foot on the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped, press and hold the side interlock button. Pull shifter rearward to the end of the travel and then release. The “D” will light up red and the shifter will return to center.

 4. To shift into NEUTRAL: With your foot on the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped, press and hold the side interlock button. Push the shifter forward until it reaches the first bump and then release. The “N” will light up red and the shifter will return to center.

Low or Manual

Your vehicle will also have a LOW (“L”) or MANUAL (“M”) gear setting.

5. To toggle between DRIVE and MANUAL or LOW (depending on the model), while in DRIVE, pull the shifter rearward to shift to “M” or “L.”

6. To shift gears while in MANUAL or select the highest available gear while in LOW, use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
    a. Electric vehicles will have one paddle for regenerative braking.†

7. Pull the shifter rearward again to return to “D.”
    a. The vehicle can shift between DRIVE and MANUAL or LOW at any speed.

8. You can learn more about this feature and how it works in the Owner’s Manual.

If you try to shift incorrectly, the Driver Information Center (DIC) will give you feedback with a message such as “Reduce Speed for Requested Shift” or “Conditions Not Correct for Shift.”

Going Through a Car Wash with Electronic Precision Shift, Lever

There are specific steps you must follow when you go through an automatic car wash while the vehicle is in NEUTRAL (“N”), whether you’re getting out of or staying in the vehicle.

 

Before entering the car wash, refer to the Owner’s Manual to make sure your vehicle is capable of using an automatic car wash. If the vehicle needs to be shut off during the car wash, refer to your Owner’s Manual for instructions.

If you get out of the vehicle during the car wash:

  1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
  2. With the vehicle still on, press the brake pedal and open the door.
  3. While your door is open and the brake pedal is pressed, shift to NEUTRAL by moving the shift lever forward to the first bump and then releasing it.
    Note: It’s important to open the door before shifting to NEUTRAL. If you open the door to get out of the vehicle in a car wash AFTER engaging NEUTRAL, PARK may automatically engage.
  4. The “N” on the shifter should be lit. If it’s not, move the shift lever to “N” again.
  5. Now you can unbuckle your seat belt, turn the vehicle off if desired, get out of the vehicle and close the door.
  6. The vehicle may automatically shift to PARK upon re-entry.

If you stay in the vehicle during the car wash:

  1. Drive to the entrance of the car wash.
  2. Shift to NEUTRAL by moving the shift lever forward to the first bump and then releasing the shifter.
  3. The vehicle will stay in NEUTRAL until you select a different gear or open the door.

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Related Links and Resources

How To Change Gears With Electronic Precision Shift Buttons

Q&As

Why does my vehicle shift into PARK on its own sometimes?

With Electronic Precision Shift, if you shut off your vehicle when you are stopped and not in PARK or NEUTRAL, it will automatically shift to PARK.

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To find out if your vehicle has this feature, contact your dealer or refer to your vehicle’s equipment list. Please check your Owner’s Manual for more information about features.