Selecting Gears
R (Reverse)
Reverse (R) is used to back the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle comes to a full stop and the clutch pedal has been pressed before shifting into reverse.
To select reverse, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the R button.
N (Neutral)
Neutral (N) is used for starting, parking, or any stationary operation. No gear is selected. The transmission must be in neutral to start the engine.
Important: If the vehicle starts up in any gear but neutral, bring the vehicle to an authorized Freightliner service facility as soon as possible.
To select neutral, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the N button. Set the parking brakes and slowly release the clutch pedal.
Note: Neutral is always available during vehicle operation. When in neutral, requests to upshift or to downshift are ignored.
D (Drive)
Drive (D) is used for normal highway driving. In drive, the transmission shifts into the proper gear for starting, and then automatically selects additional gears as needed, in a range between the starting gear and the highest gear.
To select drive, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the D button. Slowly release the clutch pedal and drive the vehicle.
To start up in a gear other than the normal starting gear, push the upshift arrow with D selected, and while the vehicle is stopped.
Important: AutoShift will not start up in any gear higher than third gear.
The number of the gear selected will flash on the auxiliary display until the driver presses the clutch pedal. This gear will be stored in memory as the default starting gear until a different starting gear is selected by the driver, or until the engine is shut down.
Note: The transmission may be programmed so that it is not possible to select a starting gear other than the preprogrammed starting gear.
L (Low)
LOW is used to hold the transmission in low gear when descending steep hills. If LOW is selected when the vehicle is stopped, the transmission remains in low gear until drive is selected. If LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving, the transmission downshifts at a higher engine speed than normal, in order to maximize the engine braking effect.
To select LOW, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the LOW button. Slowly release the clutch pedal and drive the vehicle.
Important: Before parking the vehicle, always do the following:
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Place the transmission in neutral.
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Set the parking brakes.
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Chock the tires, if parking on an incline.