2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Manual - Page 430

STARTING AND OPERATING 427 The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (described later in this section). Moving the shift lever to the left or right (-/ +) while in the DRIVE position will select the highest available transmission gear, and will display that gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Gear Ranges DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range. PARK This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade, and away from the curb on an uphill grade. 5 WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. (Continued)