2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 93

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): When driving on hilly, winding roads. When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. When going down a steep hill. SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on. Notice: Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over55 mph (90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle. THIRD (3) or Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) as much as possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going slower than65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage your engine. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on verysteep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST ( I ) , the transaxle won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slow enough. Notice: If your front wheels won't turn, don't try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transaxle.Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the transaxle.Use your brakes to hold your vehiclein position on a hill. Second-Gear Start Your vehicle is equipped with a second-gear start feature. Place the shift lever in SECOND (2) gear to provide more traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery surfaces. The transaxle will be in SECOND (2) gear when the vehicle begins to move. After staring in SECOND (2) gear place the shift lever in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). This feature is only for improved traction when the road surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or gravel. 2-24