2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT Owner's Manual - Page 116

Automatic Transmission Operation Your vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument panel cluster. There are several different positions for your shift lever. PARK (P): This position locks your drive wheels. It's the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can't move easily. REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-44. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't connect with the drive wheels. To restart when you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. {CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-53. {CAUTION: Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed. 2-22