1997 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 91

PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best position to use when start yourengine because your you vehicle can't move easily. ' ~ It is dangerous to out of your vehicle if the get shift leveris not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don't leave yourvehicle 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 injured. To be sure your be vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See "Shifting IntoPARK (P)" in the Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see "Towing a Trailer'' in the Index. Make sure the shift lever fully in PARK (P) before is starting the engine. Your Chevrolet has brake-transaxle a shift interlock.You must fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shft out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the shft lever button if you have console shift. a Then move theshift lever out of PARK(P), being sure to press the shift lever button if you have a console shift. See "Shifting Out of PARK (P)" in the Index. REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. NOTICE: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transaxle. Shift toREVERSE (R) only after yourvehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to out of snow, get ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see "Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow" in the Index. 2-17