1997 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 67

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@):This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,and you're: Going less than about 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'll shift down to the next gear and have more power. AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying heavy load, driving on a steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select DRIVE (D) when operating thevehicle under any of these conditions. for startingyour vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,or in deep snow or mud. I the f selector lever is in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is put moving forward, thetransmission won't shift into FIRST (1) until thevehicle is going slowly enough. (a) I NOTICE: If your rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to drive. This might happen you were stuck in if very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transmission. Also, if you stop whengoing uphill, don't hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the transmission. Use your brakesor shift intoPARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on a hill. DRIVE (D): This position is alsoused for normal driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@).You should use DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, drivingon steep hills or winding roads or for off-roaddriving. SECOND (2): This position gives more power but you lower fueleconomy. 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. You can also use SECOND (2) 2-19