2008 Dodge Nitro Owner Manual - Page 262

262 STARTING AND OPERATING N (Neutral) Shift into N (Neutral) when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the vehicle. NOTE: Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with selector lever in N (Neutral) can result in severe transmission damage. Refer to "Recreational Towing" in Section 5 and "Towing a Disabled Vehicle" in Section 6 of this manual. D (Drive) The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth gear. The D (Drive) position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. Electronic Range Select (ERS)Operation The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows you to move the shifter left (-) or right (+) when the shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the driver shifts the transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will never shift above third gear, but can shift down to 2 (second) or 1 (first), when needed. WARNING! Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. Screen Display Actual Gear(s) Allowed 1 1 2 1-2 3 1-3 4 1-4 D 1-5 NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum deceleration (engine braking), move the shift lever to the left "D(-)" and hold it there. The transmission will shift to the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.