2005 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 96

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-28. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing may damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not racing when shifting your vehicle. DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are: • Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. • Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. You will shift down to the next gear and have more power. Notice: Driving your vehicle if you notice that it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as you increase speed may damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in LOW (L2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then. LOW (L): This position gives you access to FOURTH, THIRD, SECOND and FIRST gears for more power but lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the electronic range select is put in LOW (L1), the transaxle will not shift into lower gears until the vehicle is going slow enough. {CAUTION: Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed. 2-26