2005 Saturn Ion Owner's Manual - Page 89

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving with the automatic transaxle. If you need more power for passing, and you are: • Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. • Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator all the way down. INTERMEDIATE (I): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers braking from the engine for slight downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. If repetitive shifts occur between third and fourth gears on steep uphills, this position can be used to prevent repetitive shifting. Fuel economy will be lower than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): LOW (L): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than INTERMEDIATE (I). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into Low gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle in place. Racing or Other Competitive Driving See your warranty book before using your vehicle for racing or other competitive driving. After reviewing your warranty book, please see the GM Performance Parts website or catalog and contact the race sanctioning bodies. For example, SCCA or Grand American, for parts and equipment required for racing or other competitive driving. • When driving on hilly, winding roads. • When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. 2-23