2000 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manual - Page 123

Driving Driving Understanding gearshift positions To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your 2.5 l V6 automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an adaptive learning strategy. During the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation, it is normal for your transaxle to adjust. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation. Never leave a vehicle unattended while it is running. • P (Park) Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park). This locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from rotating. P = Park ...R = Reverse ...N = Neutral...D = Drive: Gear 1 to 4 with overdrive ...Gear 1 to 3 with overdrive cancelled ...2 = Gear 2 ...• R (Reverse) The vehicle only moves backward. Always come to a complete stop before shifting in or out of R (Reverse). 1 = Gear 1 ... 123