2009 Dodge Dakota Owner Manual - Page 247

STARTING AND OPERATING 245 Gear Selection Maximum Speed 6 to 5 5 to 4 4 to 3 3 to 2 2 to 1 that they are about to shift the transmission into REVERSE. Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE can be perceived as a high shift effort. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 85 mph 75 mph 55 mph 35 mph 20 mph (135 (120 (88 (56 (32 km/h) km/h) km/h) km/h) km/h) Reverse Shifting To shift into REVERSE, bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Depress the clutch and pause briefly to allow the gear train to stop rotating. Beginning from the NEUTRAL position, move the shift lever in one quick smooth motion straight across and into the REVERSE area (the driver will feel a firm "click" as the shifter passes the "knock-over"). Complete the shift by pulling the shift lever into REVERSE. The "knock-over" prevents the driver from accidentally entering the REVERSE shift area and warns the driver CAUTION! Damage to the transmission may occur if the following precautions are not observed: • Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. • Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed. • Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed. (Continued) 5