Jeep 2016 CHEROKEE Operating Information Manual - page 231
Eight–Speed Automatic
Transmission
The electronic shift lever in this vehicle does not
slide like a conventional shifter. Instead, the
shift lever is spring loaded and moves forward
and rearward, always returning to the center
position after each gear is selected. The trans-
mission gear (PRND) is displayed both on the
shift lever and in the Driver Information Display
(DID). To select a gear range, press the lock
button on the shift lever and move the lever
rearward or forward. You must also press the
brake pedal to shift the transmission out of
PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or
REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or mov-
ing at low speeds (refer to “Brake/Transmission
Shift Interlock System” in this section). To shift
past multiple gear ranges at once (such as
PARK to DRIVE), move the lever past the first
(or second) detent. Select the DRIVE range for
normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission pro-
vides a precise shift schedule. The transmission
electronics are self-calibrating; therefore, the
first few shifts on a new vehicle may be some-
what abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hun-
dred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE
when the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on
the brake pedal when shifting between these
gears.
The transmission shift lever provides PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE and SPORT
shift positions. Once in the DRIVE range, tap-
ping the shift lever rearward will toggle between
SPORT mode and DRIVE mode. You do not
need to push the shift lever button when tog-
gling between DRIVE and SPORT modes.
Manual shifts can be made using the shift
paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Press-
ing the shift paddles (-/+) while in the DRIVE or
SPORT position will manually select the trans-
mission gear, and will display the current gear in
the instrument cluster. Refer to
"
Paddle Shift
Mode
"
in this section for further information.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a mo-
ment to allow the selected gear to engage
before accelerating. This is especially im-
portant when the engine is cold.
Shift Lever
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