Automatic transmission operation (Rotary gear shift dial type)

The automatic transmission has eight forward speeds and one reverse speed.

The individual speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.

The automatic transmission shift dial or interior parts might get hot when a vehicle is parked outside during hot weather. Always be careful when the vehicle is hot.

Depress the brake pedal whenever rotating the gear shift dial or shifting to P.

The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift position when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

ALWAYS check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the vehicle is shifted to the P (Park) position, then apply the parking brake, then place the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.
When using the paddle shifter (manual shift mode), do not use engine braking (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip causing an accident.

Transmission ranges

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).

To shift the gear to P (Park), press the P button while depressing the brake pedal.

If you turn the engine off in R (Reverse), N (Neutral) or D (Drive), the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the vehicle is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the engine off.
When parking on an incline, shift the gear to P (Park) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill.

Automatic gear shift to P (Park)

The gear is shifted to P (Park) automatically for safety reasons under the following conditions:

When the engine is turned off with the gear in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral).
When the driver’s door is open with the engine running, the gear in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral) and the vehicle at a standstill.
When the driver’s door is open with the gear in N (Neutral) and the vehicle is off.

In situations the gear must be in P (Park), always check if the gear is shifted to P (Park) by checking the cluster.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle rearward.

To shift the gear R (Reverse), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to R (Reverse) while depressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the R (Reverse) position, if you open the driver's door, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the gear may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are not engaged.

To shift the gear to N (Neutral), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to N (Neutral) from R (Reverse) or D (Drive) while depressing the brake pedal.

Always depress the brake pedal when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.

If you turn the engine off in N (Neutral), the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

However, if you need to stay in N (Neutral) with the engine off, refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF”.

The engine can be started with the gear in N (Neutral), but for you safety, be sure to start the engine with the gear in P (Park).

D (Drive)

This is the normal driving position.

The transmission will automatically shift through an 8-gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.

For extra power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, depress the accelerator pedal further until you feel the transmission downshift to a lower gear.

To shift the gear D (Drive), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to D (Drive) while depressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the D (Drive) position, if you open the driver's door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the gear may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).

When you start after stopping on a steep incline, even if the gear is in D (Drive), if you do not depress the accelerator or brake pedal, the vehicle may roll backwards, which can cause an accident.

To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF

If you want to stay in N (Neutral) after the engine is OFF (in the ACC state), do the following.

Turn off Auto Hold and release Electronic Parking Brake when the engine is running.
Rotate the shift dial to N (Neutral) while depressing the brake pedal.
When you take your foot off the brake pedal, the message “Press and hold the OK button on the steering wheel to stay in Neutral” will appear on the cluster display.
Press and hold the OK button [A] on the steering wheel for more than 1 second.
When the message “Vehicle will stay in (N). Change gear to cancel” appears on the cluster display, turn the vehicle off while depressing the brake pedal.

If you wish to cancel, change gear to P (Park), D (Drive) or R (Reverse). Otherwise, N (Neutral) will stay engaged when the vehicle is Off.

Also, if you open the driver's door, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park) and the Engine Start/Stop button will change to the OFF position.

With the gear in N (Neutral) the Engine Start/Stop button will be in the ACC position. In the ACC position, the doors cannot be locked. The battery may discharge if left in the ACC position for a long time.

When the battery is discharged

You cannot shift gears, when the battery is discharged.

In emergencies, do the following to shift the gear to N (Neutral) on a level ground.

Connect the battery cables from another vehicle or from a another battery to the jump-starting terminals inside the engine compartment.

For more information, refer to the “Jump starting” section in chapter 8.
Release the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with the Engine Start/Stop button in the ON position.
Shift the gear to the N (Neutral) position. Refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF” in this chapter.

In situations when the gear needs to be shifted from P (Park) to N (Neutral) when the vehicle off, refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF” in this chapter.

Shift-lock system

For your safety, the automatic transmission has a shift-lock system which prevents shifting the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P (Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive):

Depress and hold the brake pedal.
Start the engine.
Shift gear while depressing the brake pedal.