2011 GMC Savana 3500 Passenger Owner's Manual - Page 238

9-30 Driving and Operating D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are: . N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed. You should use 3 (Third) (or a lower gear as needed) when towing a trailer to minimize heat build-up and extend the life of the transmission. 2 (Second): This position reduces vehicle speed even more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes off and on. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. 1 (First): This position reduces vehicle speed even more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Going less than about 55 km/h (35 mph), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down. Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. You will shift down to the next gear and have more power. { WARNING Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed. Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle. . Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding. See "Skidding" under Loss of Control on page 9‑5. 3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving. However it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears and when going down a steep hill.